8-18-2001: WASHINGTON (AP) - Triggering a showdown with President Bush, the investigative arm of Congress on Friday criticized Vice President Dick Cheney's refusal to disclose the role of corporate executives and lobbyists in shaping the administration's energy plan.

``The vice president's representatives have shown no interest in reaching any accommodation'' by identifying the people Cheney and his aides consulted with, Comptroller General David Walker wrote in a 10-page letter to Congress. ``We strongly disagree with the vice president's positions.''

The General Accounting Office's report to the House Speaker now puts the issue on the president's desk.

Within 20 days, Bush must turn over the information, take no action or declare that releasing the data would substantially impair the operations of government.

If Bush takes no action, the GAO can sue in federal court.

``The Bush administration is demonstrating an unhealthy instinct for secrecy,'' said Rep. Henry Waxman, the ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee, who has been seeking the information since April. ``I hope the president will do the right thing and release this.''

The battle over Cheney's energy task force may be headed for the Democrat-controlled Senate, which could ultimately subpoena the information.

``It is likely we would have to refer the matter to the Senate if the president certifies that releasing the names of CEOs and lobbyists would substantially impair the operations of government,'' said Phil Schilero, minority staff director of the House Government Reform Committee.

There was no immediate comment from the White House. Cheney's lawyers say the GAO is unconstitutionally interfering with the executive branch.

The GAO has forced such a showdown with the executive branch only four times in the past 21 years. Cheney was involved in one of those battles, in 1990 when he was secretary of defense.

``We are scaling back the records we are requesting to exclude'' minutes and notes of meetings, wrote Walker, who heads the GAO. ``The information we are seeking is factual and non-deliberative in nature.''

Environmental groups have complained that the Bush White House shut them out of the information-gathering process on the energy plan.