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Bush warns Congress on wiretaps | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
US President George W Bush has told Congress he will not accept another temporary bill allowing warrantless wiretapping of foreign terror suspects. | |
Mr Bush said he wanted Congress to approve legislation which was permanent and provide retroactive immunity to telephone companies that co-operated. | |
The current legislation, last extended in August, will expire on Saturday. | |
Congress remains deadlocked over whether to extend it or adopt a revised bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday. | |
After a day of debate on Wednesday, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted against a tactical move to extend the temporary legislation for another 21 days. | |
It is time for Congress to pass a law that provides a long-term foundation to protect our country and they must do so immediately US President George W Bush class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/4536018.stm">Q&A: US surveillance row | |
The Protect America Act, which amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, allows the US authorities to tap into phone calls and e-mails to or from the United States, as long as the target is abroad. | |
Previously, they had to seek approval from a special court in advance. | |
The act did not, however, grant immunity to the telecommunication companies who have been co-operating with the government since it was passed in 2001. | |
Several lawsuits have since been filed against them by campaigners for collaborating with the US authorities and violating privacy laws. | Several lawsuits have since been filed against them by campaigners for collaborating with the US authorities and violating privacy laws. |
'Flow of intelligence' | 'Flow of intelligence' |
On Tuesday, the Senate approved full legislation which would authorise the surveillance of foreign terror suspects for another six years and included the provision of immunity for telecommunication companies. | On Tuesday, the Senate approved full legislation which would authorise the surveillance of foreign terror suspects for another six years and included the provision of immunity for telecommunication companies. |
Speaking at a news conference in the Oval Office, Mr Bush said he would not accept another extension, insisting Congress should pass permanent legislation before the current law expires at midnight on Saturday. | |
"It's time for Congress to ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted," Mr Bush said alongside the Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell. | "It's time for Congress to ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted," Mr Bush said alongside the Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell. |
"It is time for Congress to pass a law that provides a long-term foundation to protect our country and they must do so immediately." | "It is time for Congress to pass a law that provides a long-term foundation to protect our country and they must do so immediately." |
Mr Bush also stressed the importance of giving companies retroactive immunity from prosecution for co-operating with the government without court approval. | Mr Bush also stressed the importance of giving companies retroactive immunity from prosecution for co-operating with the government without court approval. |
"We need the co-operation of telecommunications companies," he said. "If these companies are subjected to lawsuits costing billions of dollars, they won't participate, they won't help us." | "We need the co-operation of telecommunications companies," he said. "If these companies are subjected to lawsuits costing billions of dollars, they won't participate, they won't help us." |
But Senate Democratic majority leader Harry Reid accused President Bush of "bullying". | |
"This is yet more proof that President Bush and his Republican allies are more interested in politicising intelligence than they are about finding real solutions," he said. | |