Dr. HILTERMAN: Oh, U.S. intelligence documents make it abundantly clear that there was full knowledge of this from, at least, the summer of 1983 on.

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With Mitterrand's full knowledge and approval, if not at his actual behest, the unit illegally tapped the telephones of some 200 worthy citizens, including judges, politicians, lawyers, journalists, even a leading actress, Carole Bouquet.

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Spencer Ackerman, at the Washington Independent, points out that the president's recent statements have been made with full knowledge of Gen McChrystal's recommendations.

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