The Hindu : International : U.S. panel mulls tighter intelligence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 19, 2004

International

International

U.S. panel mulls tighter intelligence

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JULY 18. The National Commission looking into the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 will be recommending the creation of a Cabinet level department to supervise the intelligence agencies, The New York Times has said. The report is based on interviews with three unnamed persons who have either seen the final report or have been briefed on the contents.

The 10-member bipartisan Commission's views on intelligence agencies will erode the authority of the CIA, the FBI, the National Security Council and the Pentagon.

For federal agencies that fight tooth and nail for funding, this would mean that the Pentagon and the CIA stand to lose out substantially in the estimated $40 billions in annual budgeting, besides losing influence in policy matters.

What the Commission will say in the report — which will have a series of recommendations — is that the CIA Director would have to report to the White House through the proposed Director of National Intelligence. This is said to be the most important recommendation of the panel.

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