[Edit35]

...."citing unidentified current and former government officials."

In other words, the NY Times told these 'officials' what the paper wanted to publish, and they all nodded in agreement.

[Texas Eagle]

In other words, the NY Times told these 'officials' what the paper wanted to publish, and they all nodded in agreement.

Exactly. I'll bet one of the "officials" names rhymed with "Valerie Plame".