CNN: Plame: Leak severely hurt U.S. intelligence; networks of agents jeopardized, destroyed

Ex-CIA operative:

Leak severely hurt U.S. intelligenceMarch 16, 2007

"My name and identity were carelessly and recklessly abused by senior officials in the White House and State Department," Valerie Plame said.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Valerie Plame told Congress Friday the leak of her identity as a CIA covert operative "has jeopardized and even destroyed entire networks of foreign agents."

For the first time since the 2003 leak, the central figure of the resulting scandal revealed her side of events that led to the conviction this month of a former vice presidential aide....

Novak's column destroyed her position and classified status, she told the committee.

The disclosure also damaged U.S. intelligence efforts, she said. "If our government cannot even protect my identity, future foreign agents who might consider working with the Central Intelligence Agency in providing needed intelligence would think twice."

Plame testified her work involved gathering intelligence on weapons of mass destruction....