http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHJOpHryjfE&feature=player_embedded

CIA Watched as Family Shot Down Over Jungle

Posted: 02/04/10 10:37AM

Dramatic footage obtained by ABC News shows the mistaken assault on a U.S. missionary family's plane in 2001 that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her infant child in Peru.

In the video, which can be seen below, operatives on a CIA spotter plane can be heard talking with the Peruvian military as they follow an unidentified single-engine float plane.

The plane, piloted by Kevin Donaldson, was carrying Christian missionaries Jim and Veronica "Roni" Bowers and their children - Cory, 6, and 7-month-old Charity - as they returned from a trip to Brazil.

Confusion and miscommunication can be heard in the chatter as both the CIA and the military try to determine if the plane belongs to drug traffickers - or "banditos."

In the video, military officials eventually dispatch a Peruvian Air Force jet to hone in on the plane, as CIA operatives continue to question if the plane is a legitimate target.

"This guy doesn't fit the profile," a CIA operative is heard saying.

"He (the pilot) is not taking any evasive action. I recommend we follow him. I do not recommend phase 3 (taking the plane down) at this time," another operative says. "I think we're making a mistake."

The military airs a warning to the pilot but get no response.

Eventually, the fighter jet opens fire at the behest of the Peruvian military as CIA operatives stand by. The pilot can be heard screaming for help and the operatives, suddenly realizing their mistake, quickly call for the jet to pull back. But by that time it's too late.

The float plane crashed into a muddy river upside down, killing Veronica Bowers and her infant daughter Charity, who had been sitting on her lap.

The release of the video has re-ignited accusations the CIA lied to the U.S. Congress in order to cover up its role in the bungled operation.

Starting in 1995, the CIA and the Peruvian Air Force operated a joint program to intercept drug planes, shooting them down if necessary. The program ended shortly after this incident in 2001.

"The [intelligence] community's performance in terms of accountability has been unacceptable," Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R.-Mich., told ABC News. "These were Americans that were killed with the help of their government, the community covered it up, they delayed investigating."

The CIA, while publicly acknowledging the shootdown with the release of the footage, distanced itself from the incident. In a statement, the agency's Office of Public Affairs said its operatives ultimately had no influence in the bungled intercept.

"The program to deny drug traffickers an 'air bridge' ended in 2001 and was run by a foreign government. CIA personnel had no authority either to direct or prohibit actions by that government," the statement said. "CIA officers did not shoot down any airplane. In the case of the tragic downing of April 21st, 2001, CIA personnel protested the identification of the missionary plane as a suspect drug trafficker."