<html><div style='background-color:'> <DIV> <P>Slate reports that:</P> <P>*The Los Angeles Times fronts a story on the "surge" of CIA operatives in central Asia. Backed by a virtual blank check, the agency is calling agents out of retirement as it sets about the task of gathering intelligence and netting Osama Bin Laden. As for that cumbersome no-assassination policy, the agency may turn a blind eye: "I'm sure if someone were to deliver to us evidence of his timely demise, we'd find a way to demonstrate our gratitude," says one official.*</P> <P>No warm body, no trial, no disclosures, no need for coverup, etc.</P> <P>RS</P> <P> </P> <P> </P></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href='http://go.msn.com/bql/hmtag_itl_EN.asp'>http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></html>