White House: No position yet on intelligence overhaul
Acting CIA Director John McLaughlin was not speaking for the administration when he expressed reservations about the appointment of an "intelligence czar."
The White House on Monday said acting CIA Director John McLaughlin was not speaking for the administration when he expressed reservations Sunday about the appointment of an "intelligence czar" to oversee the various intelligence agencies.
"I think he was expressing his views," said White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan. But McClellan indicated President Bush might consider the idea.
"The president has said very clearly that he is open to additional ideas that build upon the reforms that we are already implementing," McClellan said.
Speaking to reporters at the White House today, Bush said he wanted to study the recommendations of the presidential commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks before deciding how to overhaul intelligence gathering. The recommendations, which will be issued later this week, are expected to include a call for the appointment of a Cabinet-level official to head the intelligence community. On Friday, presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said he would appoint a director of national intelligence with the authority to manage and direct the intelligence community.
Bush declined to say when he plans to appoint a permanent CIA director.
"Still thinking about it," Bush said. "Let you know when it's coming up."
McClellan said a weekend news report may wait until after the election to appoint a CIA director "has no basis in fact."
Bush also said the United States would continue to look into whether Iran played a role in the attacks, even though "McLaughlin said there was no direct connection between Iran and the attacks of Sept. 11."
Eight of the Sept. 11 hijackers may have moved through Iran, the commission will reportedly say. Bush said for relations with the United States to improve, Iranian leaders would have to take several steps, including turning over al-Qaida leaders they are "harboring" to their countries of origin, dismantling their nuclear weapons program, and ending funding for "terrorism organizations such as Hezbollah."