Panetta Warns CIA Employees Against Bin Laden Leaks

Via Washington Post -

CIA Director Leon E. Panetta warned agency employees not to reveal secrets about the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound earlier this month, saying in a memo sent to employees Wednesday that disclosures could jeopardize future operations.

"The intense public and media interest in the operation that killed Osama bin Laden has led to an unprecedented amount of very sensitive — in fact, classified — information making its way into the press," Panetta said, according to a copy of the memo obtained Thursday by The Washington Post.

Panetta’s message is part of a broader effort by the Obama administration to clamp down on disclosures surrounding the raid, as well as months of sensitive intelligence-gathering efforts that preceded it.

Senior Defense Department officials had conveyed a similar message in a news briefing Wednesday at the Pentagon. "We have talked far too much about this," said Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "We need to move on."

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In his note, Panetta warned that the agency will investigate leaks and that, "when warranted, referrals will be made to the Dept. of Justice." He also said CIA employees "have every reason to be proud of the bin Laden operation." Obama is scheduled to appear at CIA headquarters Friday to congratulate employees on the operation.