is not the same as getting the policy approval for a covert action. which is a policy measure. the e because this was presented as a malter of intelligence collection,it circumvented the usual covert action approval procedures and circumvented the secretary of state. >> did it go through the proper procedures for being an intelligence collection measure? >> those procedures are really very simple. it's that the intelligence agency decides it wants to do it. if it's important enough, it asked e squs asks the president for permission. he asked the c.i.a. one, is this effective, and then he asked the attorney general is this legal? the attorney general said it's legal and the c.i.a. said it's effective. and the president, after months of circling around this said, well, okay then. phillip zelikow, i have a feeling with these recommendations coming out now, obviously, there were no