Rumsfeld scolds staff over press leaks

There is intense speculation over US action in Iraq

By Steve Kingstone BBC correspondent in Washington

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has issued a stern warning to his staff about the dangers of leaking military secrets to the media - in an internal memo disclosed to the media.

Rumsfeld: Al-Qaeda follows the US media for its intelligence

Mr Rumsfeld said that the disclosure of classified information, at a time of war, could threaten American lives and jeopardise the chances of military success.

He spoke of the "damaging lack of professionalism" displayed by those in his department who have leaked to the media, and warned that such behaviour was against the law.

The warning follows recent newspaper reports about plans for a possible invasion of Iraq, which Mr Rumsfeld appears to have found unhelpful.

Reading the papers

Specifically, the New York Times has quoted officials familiar with a military planning document, outlining in detail possible strategies for such an invasion.

In his memo, Mr Rumsfeld also passes on advice from the Central Intelligence Agency, describing al-Qaeda as a "savvy, experienced terrorist organisation, which derives much of its information from reports in the American and international media".

The advice has been circulated to senior military and civilian staff, urging them to raise the matter with their subordinates.

On the separate question of why a memo on leaks was disclosed to the media, a Pentagon spokesman insisted the document was sanctioned for official release.

However he refused to confirm or deny suggestions that the memo had, itself, initially been leaked by a member of Mr Rumsfeld's own staff.