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Officials removed terror reference from Benghazi memo - report Officials removed terror reference from Benghazi memo - report
(about 3 hours later)
Official talking points about an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya were edited by the state department to remove references to terrorism, a US television network has reported.Official talking points about an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya were edited by the state department to remove references to terrorism, a US television network has reported.
The revelation by ABC News contradicts earlier White House comments that the memo was mostly developed by the CIA.The revelation by ABC News contradicts earlier White House comments that the memo was mostly developed by the CIA.
Four Americans, including the US envoy, died in the raid on 11 September 2012.Four Americans, including the US envoy, died in the raid on 11 September 2012.
Republicans suggest the Obama administration wanted to downplay terrorism ahead of the November vote.Republicans suggest the Obama administration wanted to downplay terrorism ahead of the November vote.
Ambassador Christopher Stevens died of smoke inhalation when he was trapped in the burning consulate building, after armed men stormed the compound.Ambassador Christopher Stevens died of smoke inhalation when he was trapped in the burning consulate building, after armed men stormed the compound.
State department employee Sean Smith and former Navy Seals Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty also died in the attack.State department employee Sean Smith and former Navy Seals Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty also died in the attack.
The controversy stems in large part from an appearance on Sunday chat shows soon after the attacks by US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, who said the attack had grown out of an anti-US protest.The controversy stems in large part from an appearance on Sunday chat shows soon after the attacks by US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, who said the attack had grown out of an anti-US protest.
Other officials have said they knew at the time it was an organised, armed assault, possibly by an Islamist militant group.Other officials have said they knew at the time it was an organised, armed assault, possibly by an Islamist militant group.
'Beat up state department''Beat up state department'
According to ABC News, as the dust settled in Libya the state department offered input on the talking points memo to be distributed to Congress and to Ms Rice.According to ABC News, as the dust settled in Libya the state department offered input on the talking points memo to be distributed to Congress and to Ms Rice.
The state department wanted to remove a reference to earlier CIA warnings about terror threats in Benghazi and excise the mention of Ansar al-Sharia, a group linked to al-Qaeda, ABC News reported.The state department wanted to remove a reference to earlier CIA warnings about terror threats in Benghazi and excise the mention of Ansar al-Sharia, a group linked to al-Qaeda, ABC News reported.
State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in an email to intelligence and White House officials obtained by the BBC that the reference should be dropped because it "could be abused by members [of Congress] to beat up the state department for not paying attention to warnings", the network reports. State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in an email to intelligence and White House officials obtained by the ABC that the reference should be dropped because it "could be abused by members [of Congress] to beat up the state department for not paying attention to warnings", the network reports.
In November, White House press secretary Jay Carney said the information given to the public in the wake of the attack had been supplied by the intelligence community.In November, White House press secretary Jay Carney said the information given to the public in the wake of the attack had been supplied by the intelligence community.
He said at the time: "The White House and the state department have made clear that the single adjustment that was made to those talking points by either of those two institutions were changing the word 'consulate' to 'diplomatic facility' because 'consulate' was inaccurate."He said at the time: "The White House and the state department have made clear that the single adjustment that was made to those talking points by either of those two institutions were changing the word 'consulate' to 'diplomatic facility' because 'consulate' was inaccurate."
On Wednesday, a US diplomat in Libya during the attacks gave the first public account of the incident, in a Congressional hearing.On Wednesday, a US diplomat in Libya during the attacks gave the first public account of the incident, in a Congressional hearing.
Gregory Hicks, deputy chief of mission in Tripoli, expressed frustration with the lack of military response to the incident, telling lawmakers he believed a second attack would have been deterred by a swift reaction.Gregory Hicks, deputy chief of mission in Tripoli, expressed frustration with the lack of military response to the incident, telling lawmakers he believed a second attack would have been deterred by a swift reaction.
'Systemic failures''Systemic failures'
The Pentagon has said it could not have done anything to assist the besieged Americans.The Pentagon has said it could not have done anything to assist the besieged Americans.
And Mr Hicks criticised an official review of the attack, saying it focused too much on low-ranking officials.And Mr Hicks criticised an official review of the attack, saying it focused too much on low-ranking officials.
That probe, led by former Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Pickering and Adm Mike Mullen, singled out the diplomatic security and near eastern affairs bureaus for criticism.That probe, led by former Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Pickering and Adm Mike Mullen, singled out the diplomatic security and near eastern affairs bureaus for criticism.
It said "systemic failures and leadership and management deficiencies at senior levels" in those teams led to a "security posture that was inadequate for Benghazi and grossly inadequate to deal with the attack that took place".It said "systemic failures and leadership and management deficiencies at senior levels" in those teams led to a "security posture that was inadequate for Benghazi and grossly inadequate to deal with the attack that took place".
In congressional hearings in January, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took responsibility for the security failures at the compound.In congressional hearings in January, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took responsibility for the security failures at the compound.
Some analysts say that Mrs Clinton, who has been cited as a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 2016, could be haunted by the incident if she chooses to run.Some analysts say that Mrs Clinton, who has been cited as a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 2016, could be haunted by the incident if she chooses to run.