NBC reporter to testify at CIA leak case

WASHINGTON - NBC News reporter Tim Russert should find the format familiar: An interviewer, a television screen and a gauntlet of pointed questions.

Unlike his seat as host of "Meet the Press," however, Russert won't be asking the questions. He'll be in the witness box, fielding questions from prosecutors about his conversation with former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and from defense attorneys who want to undercut his credibility.

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald says he expects Russert to be his final witness Wednesday in Libby's perjury and obstruction trial. Libby is accused of lying to authorities investigating the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

Russert and Libby tell two very different stories about a phone conversation they had in July 2003.

Both agree Libby called to complain about one of Russert's colleagues. Russert says the call ended there. Libby says Russert brought up the subject of an outspoken war critic, Joseph Wilson, a former ambassador who accused the Bush administration of doctoring prewar intelligence on Iraq.

"Did you know that Ambassador Wilson's wife worked at the CIA?" Libby said Russert asked.

"No, I don't know that," Libby said he replied.

"Yes, all the reporters know it," Russert responded, according to Libby's grand jury testimony.

Russert is expected to testify that exchange never happened. Fitzgerald believes Libby learned about Plame's identity from government officials, passed it on to reporters, then concocted the Russert conversation to cover it up.

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