EO12333 and Bush's green light on assassination

[R0CKY]

I don't understand what's new in Bush's recent executive order ( read here http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/1029-04.htm ) that reportedly sanctions clandestine killing missions.

AFAIK the USA has long been in a position to carry out killing missions on foreign soils, and they would not be designated as assassinations or illegal as long as they were pre-emptive anti-terrorist strikes in the interest of National Security.

The grounds for this coming from an amendment made to Executive Order 12333 -

"The purpose of Executive Order 12333 and its legal predecessors was to preclude unilateral actions by individual agents or agencies against selected foreign public officials, and to establish beyond any doubt that the United States does not condone assassination as an instrument of national policy. Its intent was not to limit lawful self defense options against legitimate threats to the national security of the United States or individual U.S. citizens. Acting consistent with the Charter of the United Nations, a decision by the President to employ clandestine, low visibility or overt military force would not constitute assassination if the U.S. military forces were employed against the combatant forces of another nation, a guerrilla force, or a terrorist or other organisation whose actions pose a threat to the security of the United States.
Nov 2nd State Department, CIA, NSC, DoJ, DoD
"

Is anyone familiar with this subject, why the new order - is it purely a "responsibility and accountability" issue - or am I misunderstanding the amendment made to E012333?

[punpirate]

1. EO12333 banned clandestine assassination.

Bush's amendment to that order gave him free rein to order the death of anyone by claiming them a security threat to the U.S.

Another legacy of 9/11.

Cheers.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Does that include

British scientists who might happen to be telling the truth about some things?

[izzie]

3. Killing who we liked went over 'big' and was stopped.

It hits back which we will find out to late to save alot of lifes. We just never seem to learn that some people get mad when we go into their country and kill who we wish JUST as we do not like it when it happens to us. It is like getting hit by the bully in the school yard, you usually find a way to get back at him.

[R0CKY]

4. EO12333 was already amended though

Punpirate, did you read the Amendment that I posted though? It gave the same authority, but it was made years ago - that's why I don't understand why the new E.Order was necessary.

[rnd4]

5. hardly surprising when you see who is involved

http://www.bushcards.com

with a team like that this kind of policy seems a natural. sigh.