CIA memo urging spies to support Bush provokes furore

[emad]

Julian Borger in Washington
Thursday November 18, 2004
The Guardian

The new US director of central intelligence, Porter Goss, told CIA staff this week their job was "to support the Bush administration and its policies in our work", stirring a new controversy over the future of the agency.

The memorandum, circulated on Monday, was attacked by critics as an attempt to suppress dissent, particularly over Iraq, and ensure the agency only produces assessments the White House wants to hear.

But a CIA spokesman insisted yesterday that Mr Goss's note was not a call for partisan support but rather "intelli gence support" intended to help policy-makers in their decisions.

"The Central Intelligence Agency is not a policy organisation," the spokesman said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1353715,00.html

[oneighty]

1. Why do heads

of US Government functions need 'Spokesmen'? It seems to me straight from the boss man's own mouth would be more truthful.

Would it not?

180

[tmooses]

4. I think it shows how in disarray this administration is...

How often have we had to have some "spokesman" clarify what some official "really meant"?

[natrat]

7. that or they know how totally wrong they are and

cant face cameras -does this feel like the end or what

[northzax]

5. for the same reason that diplomats use translators

even if they are both fluent in one language. (you will recall that Reagan and Gorbechev used translators for their summits, Gorby speaks english better than I do) it provides cover, if something offensive or wrong is said, both sides agree to blame the spokesman (or translator) rather than the leader who said the comment.

[peacetalksforall]

2. We are in trouble everywhere....this is folks....your government works

for the right wing 'officially' and the head of the right wing who demands due defference is a revenge and retribution psychological problem case.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. I guess they don't want any more yellowcake Niger reports.

But that's not partisan. That's just ideological direction.

[underpants]

6. This whole article blows W's argument for war out of the water

Clearly the CIA was against it.

I doubt that many people will see that in the reporting that is being done on this.

[Barrett808]

8. Laura Rozen has posted the entire memo here:

November 18, 2004
Via a great friend of War and Piece who wishes to remain anonymous, here's Goss's letter to the captured enemy troops at Langley:

The following is the text of the DCI’s Statement to the Workforce dated 15 November 2004:

Not long after Director Tenet’s unexpected retirement, President Bush asked me to be the DCI and to take on the challenges identified in the various reviews of 9/11, in the reports about WMD, and in the global wear against terrorism. The President’s direction was very clear - the Intelligence Community must do all it can to keep Americans safe both here and abroad, and to accomplish that mission, the fifteen components of the Community must work more closely as a team.

As the flagship component, CIA has the vital role and the DCI has the direct responsibility and accountability to the President. I, and the DDCI on my behalf, perform that mission with your tremendous help.

CIA is, of course, a part of the Executive Branch primarily as a capabilities component. We do not make policy, though we do inform those who make it. We avoid political involvement especially political partisanship.

We are a secret Agency. Of necessity, we must assiduously follow the law to honor the trust placed upon us. We have rules to govern our conduct of business and rules designed to facilitate our mission’s success and to build public confidence.

Since 9/11 everything has changed. The IC and its people have been relentlessly scrutinized and criticized. Intelligence related issues have become the fodder of partisan food fights and turf-power skirmishes. All the while, the demand for our services and products against a ruthless and unconventional enemy has expanded geometrically and we are expected to deliver - instantly. We have reason to be proud of our achievements and we need to be smarter about how we do our work in this “operational climate.”

I want everyone in our workforce to know - I seek to encourage and expect the best from everyone in CIA. Our country demands it, our President needs it, and this institution deserves it. I also intend to clarify beyond doubt the rules of the road. We support the Administration and its policies in our work. As Agency employees we do not identify with, support, or champion opposition to the Administration or its policies. We provide the intelligence as we see it - and let the facts alone speak to the policymaker.

(more)

http://www.warandpiece.com/blogdirs/001407.html

(Emphasis mine, not Laura's or her anonymous friend's. --Barrett)