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Clapper named Obama spy chief
[Iran Press TV Latest] US President Barack Obama has picked retired General James Clapper as head of the US national intelligence, describing him as "eminently qualified" for the post. In the White House Rose Garden on Saturday Obama gave the sensitive job to the former Air Force General, characterizing Clapper as someone who "understands the importance of working with our partners in Congress." "With four decades of service to America, Jim is one of our nation's most experienced and most respected intelligence professionals," Obama told reporters. Clapper will succeed Dennis Blair, a retired navy admiral, who stepped down last month as director of national intelligence. Blair's resignation came on the heels of a series of security lapses in the US intelligence, including the failure to detect the Christmas Day airline bomb plot. Obama called on the lawmakers in the US Senate to quickly ratify Clapper's appointment, saying that "this nomination can't fall victim to the usual Washington politics." "Given the importance of this position, the urgent threats to our nation and Jim's unique experience, I urge the Senate to do so again and as swiftly as possible," he said. If approved as the director of national intelligence, Clapper will monitor the 16 agencies that form the US intelligence body, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA). Posted by: Fred 2010-06-06 |
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