Trial begins over leaked memo

Two men went on trial for allegedly leaking a classified memo in which President Bush reportedly referred to bombing Arab television channel Al Jazeera.

David Keogh, a cipher expert, and Leo O’Connor, a lawmaker’s aide, deny violating secrecy laws by disclosing a document relating to 2004 talks between Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The Daily Mirror newspaper previously reported that the memo noted Blair had argued against Bush’s suggestion of bombing Al Jazeera in Qatar. It said sources disagreed on whether Bush was serious. The White House called the reports “outlandish and inconceivable.”