CIA chief out in White House shake-up

CIA director Porter Goss resigned suddenly, nudged out after a turmoil-filled 18 months at the spy agency as it struggled to forge a new identity in an era of intelligence blunders and government overhauls.

Goss offered little explanation in a brief appearance with President George Bush yesterday, a televised address to agency staff and a written statement.

“CIA remains the gold standard,” Goss said. “When I came to CIA in September of 2004, I wanted to accomplish some very specific things, and we have made great strides on all fronts.”

The agency, as well as the Bush administration, has been far from peaceful during that period. Goss’ departure was the White House’s third major personnel move in justover a month, aimed at reinvigorating Bush’s second term.

Among those talked about as possible replacements are Bush’s homeland security adviser, Frances Fragos Townsend; General Michael Hayden, top deputy to national inteligence director John Negroponte; David Shedd, Negroponte’s chief of staff; and Mary Margaret Graham, Negroponte’s deputy for intelligence collection.

Goss said he was willing to stay awhile for a smooth transition, but there also was talk an acting chief could be named.

Making the announcement from Bush’s official Oval Office, the president said Goss’ tenure had been one of transition. The director, a former CIA operative and then member of Congress from Florida, had been given the job only a little over one and a half years ago.

The president said, with Goss at his side: “He’s instilled a sense of professionalism. He honours the proud history of the CIA, an organisation that is known for its secrecy and accountability.”

t was not entirely clear why Goss resigned so unexpectedly. An intelligence official, speaking anonymously, said Goss had stood up for the agency when there were differences with Negroponte’s office, which was created about a year ago.

Goss was standing aginst “micromanagemet”, the official said and wanted the agency to “remain what its name says, the ‘Central’ Intelligence Agency”.

With the backing of the White House, Negroponte recently raised with Goss the prospect that he should leave and the two talked about that possibility, a senior administration official said.

Agency officials dismissed suggestions that the resignation was tied to controversy surrounding the CIA’s executive director, Kyle “Dusty” Foggo. The FBI is investigating whether Foggo’s long-time friend, defence contractor Brent Wilkes, provided prostitutes, limousines and hotel suites to a California congressman who pleaded guilty to taking bribes from Wilkes and others in exchange or government contracts.

CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said Goss’ resignation also was not related to the recent sacking of a CIA officer the director said had unauthorised contacts with the press – a firing that found support within the agency and the White House.

Darrell Issa, a member of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said many in Washington wanted to know the full story.

“I suspect that his decision could be based on any number of things that weren’t stated, including a strong desire just to get on with his personal life after many years of public service,” Issa said.

Bush nominated Goss in 2004, in the midst of a re-election campaign that was riddled with accusations about the botched pre-war intelligence about Iraq. Bush said he would rely on Goss’ advice on the sensitive issue of intelligence reform.

Goss, the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, came under fire almost immediately, in part because he brought with him several top aides from Congress who were considered highly political for CIA work. They developed particularly poor relations with segments of the agency’s clandestine service.

By December, Congress passed the mos sweeping intelligence overhaul in 50 years. One result was that the CIA, which had taken pride in being the premier element o the spy community, found itself relegated to a crowded second tier of 15 other agencies.

California Representative Jane Harman, the Intelligence Committee’s top Democrat, said CIA employees with a combined 300 years of experience had left or been pushed out. “This has left the agency in freefall,” she said.

Goss also had some public missteps. In March 2005, just before Negroponte took over, he told an audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidenial Library that he was overwhelmed by the duties of his job.

“The jobs I’m being asked to do, the five hats that I wear, are too much for this mortal,” Goss said. “I’m a little amazed at the workload.”