Fitzgerald Refuses to Set Timetable for Withdrawal of Investigators

Special Prosecutor Vows to 'Stay the Course Until the Job is Done'

Special to the Associated Press

28 October 2005

WASHINGTON, DC -- Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald declined to announce a deadline for the removal of a team investigating the leak of a CIA agent's identity, declaring that such a move would only encourage the insurgents currently occupying the nation's capital.

Earlier today, White House official Lewis "Scooter" Libby was indicted on five charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in the Valerie Plame affair. The vice president's former top aide resigned shortly after the indictments were announced. He was last seen stuffing his briefcase with office supplies before climbing into a rented U-Haul truck.

In a press conference earlier today, Fitzgerald acknowledged that though the term of this grand jury has expired, his investigation has not. It is widely anticipated he will pursue further indictments against Ayatollah Karl al-Rovani, leader of the radical Bushite terror group.

If the prosecutor were to bring new charges, he would have to impanel a second grand jury. Fitzgerald refused to comment on whether a new jury had been selected. However, he said his team has made excellent progress in training Congressional Democrats to defend their own territory.

"As they stand up, we will stand down," he said.