E-Mail to Cheney Called A Courtesy
Note on Halliburton Deal Sent by Army Corps Official

By Robert O'Harrow Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, June 5, 2004; Page A03

An Army Corps of Engineers official said yesterday that he was referring to a public relations courtesy when he wrote an e-mail last year saying a large contract with oil services contractor Halliburton Co. had been "coordinated" with the office of Vice President Cheney, the company's former chief executive.

…Democrats in Congress claimed this week the word "coordinated" suggested that Cheney's office had a role in deciding to award a contract to KBR three days later that was worth as much as $7 billion.

Browning, who was allowed to discuss the e-mail yesterday, said he used the word "coordinated" because Feith said his office had contacted Cheney's office as a courtesy to let them know the contract had been awarded. Feith made it clear in the meeting that day that the Pentagon was sensitive to the perception that Cheney might have weighed in on behalf of his former company, Browning said.