"It's not a confrontation between Ukrainians, but covert and now no longer covert aggression by the Russian Federation against our country," he added.
The administration is also debating whether to strengthen covert operations by the Central Intelligence Agency.
Conte was a loquacious figure, and his operation was also already under covert investigation by the FBI.
Adding to the confusion further still is the fact that most drone attacks are executed as covert actions by the C.I.A.
The World Health Organization has issued a report detailing an ambitious, often covert effort by the tobacco industry to curb global anti-smoking initiatives, dating back to the late 1980's.
ReprintsIt is not yet clear who ordered the covert surveillance by the National Intelligence Agency, nor how the material it produced came into the hands of Mr Zuma's legal team.
Others, including some European officials, believe the problems may have been accentuated by a series of covert efforts by the West to undermine Iran's program, including sabotage on its imported equipment and infrastructure.
The current pace demonstrates clearly that whatever setbacks Iran suffered from cyberattack on its facilities, part of a covert program by the United States and Israel, its efforts appear to have recovered.
The plan to supply the rebels with small arms and other weaponry is being run as a covert operation by the Central Intelligence Agency, and General Dempsey made no mention of it in his letter.
After some covert work by the movie's producers — timed to coincide with the Oscar ceremonies — investigators raided a sushi restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif., in March and charged its owners with serving endangered Sei whale.
