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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Bush warns Congress on wiretaps | Bush warns Congress on wiretaps |
| (about 15 hours later) | |
| US President George W Bush has told Congress he will not accept another temporary bill allowing warrantless wiretapping of foreign terror suspects. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 Q&A: US surveillance row | 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 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. | 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. | Previously, they had to seek approval from a special court in advance. |
| The act did not, however, grant immunity to the telecommunication companies who co-operated with the government's warrantless programme set up by the Bush administration after 11 September. | |
| 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. | 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". | 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. | "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. |