Two people involved in the matter, who discussed it on condition of anonymity, said the payment had been funneled through RPR Creative Marketing, an advertising firm in Englewood, Mr. Torricelli's hometown, that is owned by a local politician who supported his campaign.
Those who are willing to discuss it on condition of anonymity refuse to describe in detail the standards of evidence they use for drone strikes, saying only that strict procedures are in place to ensure that militants are being targeted.
When Kirchner discussed her condition on television last week she did so in front of an image of the iconic Eva Perón, who died of cancer at 33. Clarín, Argentina's largest-circulation daily, questioned whether the administration had been fully honest.
They discussed the issue on condition that they not be identified.
The spokesman, who discussed the matter on condition of anonymity, said American authorities often mixed up the names of Saudis.
"We always said we would provide humanitarian support," said a ministry official who discussed the situation on condition of anonymity.
A female passenger in the aid truck said the driver lost control after hitting a rough patch, said the official, who discussed the crash on condition of anonymity because he did not have permission to speak on the record.
The Green Berets have not been used in direct action against the terrorists, according to two government officials and two members of Special Forces units who discussed the missions on condition of anonymity.
A news division executive, who discussed the matter on condition of anonymity, said in a statement, "NBC News has many exploratory talks with talent inside and outside of the network, but to read anything specific into that is presumptuous".
The administration officials, who discussed the changes on condition that they not be identified, said that unlike the Bush administration, they would operate more openly and give the State Department a larger role in assuring that transferred detainees would not be abused.
