Bush picks former spy to be new CIA chief

Porter Goss’ undercover work extolled as a big asset

WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush yesterday nominated as Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director, Representative Porter Goss, head of the House Intelligence Committee.

He will replace Mr George Tenet, who quit last month amid a barrage of criticism.
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Speaking at a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Mr Bush said Mr Goss - a former undercover CIA officer - was the right man to lead the agency at a time of unprecedented threats against America.

’Porter Goss is a leader with strong experience in intelligence and in fighting against terrorism,’ said Mr Bush.

’He is the right man to lead this important agency at this critical moment in our nation’s history. The work of the CIA is vital to our security.’

The nomination must still be confirmed by the Senate.

The Florida Republican, 65, said he was honoured to be Mr Bush’s choice to lead the CIA, which has been criticised for failing to provide enough intelligence to prevent the Sept 11 attacks and giving false information on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Both Mr Bush and Mr Goss stressed that Mr Goss’ CIA undercover experience would help the agency bolster its ability to use spies, instead of just technology, to infiltrate terrorist networks.

’The essence of our intelligence capability is people,’ Mr Goss said at the ceremony.

He graduated from Yale in 1960 and launched a clandestine career, working for army intelligence for two years and eventually the CIA’s Directorate of Operations.

He later entered politics and served in Congress for 16 years, including eight years as House Intelligence chairman.

He had been considered the leading candidate after Mr Tenet resigned as CIA chief on July 11. — Reuters, AP

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