Spy-Agency
Revision Triggers Turf War
The Bush administration is working on the first executive rewrite
of US intelligence-agency powers in over 25 years. The new revisions attempt
to create a well-defined role for the relatively new post of director
of national intelligence (DNI), a position designed to oversee all spy
agencies. The position was created by the 2004 intelligence-reform bill,
but many agencies have used a Reagan-era presidential order as a basis
for not complying with the new law. The CIA is concerned that the director
will be too involved with agency activities, while Pentagon officials
believe that the White House is trying to take some of its power.
The executive order is expected to determine which agency is responsible
for foreign intelligence, domestic intelligence, and human spying, issues
that cause arguments with many intelligence agencies.
Officials said that the new director of national intelligence would oversee
some agencies traditionally monitored by the Pentagon and would serve
as the primary contact for foreign intelligence officials, a role currently
filled by the CIA.
Some officials believe that the new revisions would confuse foreign governments
and allow the director to interfere with operations.
‘The DNI was created to give strategic guidance to the whole intelligence
community, not micromanage the day-to-day activities of its members,’
said an unidentified US official.
