Counterterrorism Center Awaits Presidential Action -Pincus, WP

[Rose Siding]

The nation's primary agency for analyzing terrorist threats and planning counterterrorism operations at home and abroad is waiting for President Bush to name its director and settle whether that person will report directly to the president or go through Director of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte.

The legislation that established the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) requires the organization to begin operations by June 17. The center was established last fall under a presidential executive order.
...
Currently, NCTC has roughly 300 employees from 10 federal agencies, some of whom are on loan, according to the CRS study. Since many of its employees are from the CIA's Counterterrorism Center, which has also sent personnel to help the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and Negroponte's office, there has been concern voiced by some within the agency that the CIA is being drained of experienced people.

"The CIA is very concerned about it. But NCTC is a new agency," created in part to address issues with the CIA's past performance, a former senior counterterrorism official said. "So which do you think will win?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/02/AR2005060201819.html

[TacticalPeek]

1. President AWOL on the job. Or off.

:kick: