External or international use of lethal force would require a Presidential finding.
Congress had made the release of this money conditional on such a Presidential finding.
Also, Dewey had a new presidential finding - authority to do pretty much anything he wanted against the terrorists.
Due to the sensitivity of their content, presidential findings are almost always classified.
Intelligence officials said the presidential finding authorizing the agency to kill terrorists was not limited to those on the list.
A 1986 presidential finding had authorized worldwide covert action against terrorism and probably provided adequate authority.
The presidential finding was first reported by Reuters.
The order, officially called a "Presidential finding," is required before the Government can engage in a covert action.
Step Three is a Presidential finding for covert action, with close oversight but no second-guessing.
Under the current procedures, covert American activities abroad must be authorized by a Presidential "finding."