Congresswoman Jane Harman remarks at American Enterprise Institute

[seemslikeadream]

Washington, D.C. - At a forum today on “Serious Intelligence Reform” sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute(1:00p.m. ET), Congresswoman Jane Harman (CA-36), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, will discuss the importance of bipartisan approaches and solutions to national security problems and lay out a five-point plan for immediate Intelligence Community reform.

Harman is “convinced that the strongest policies to enhance national security emerge when tough issues are debated and dealt with in a bipartisan way.” However, if the Bush Administration is unwilling to fix the problems plaguing American intelligence in an election year and “has kicked the can down the road until March 2005.…That is like the auto-mechanic who says, ‘I’m sorry I can’t fix your brakes this week, but don’t worry because I made your horn louder.’ ”

While acknowledging the complexity of the task and applauding preliminary actions by the CIA, Harman called on President Bush to take the following five steps to make the country safer right now:

· Direct the intelligence agencies to scrub WMD intelligence estimates worldwide and release updates on all areas of serious concern.

· Direct the Intelligence Community to improve collection and vetting of weapons of mass destruction information.

· Require the Intelligence Community to improve the way it analyzes intelligence and conveys that information to policymakers.

· Direct a review of the activities of various Defense Department offices, including the Office of Special Plans, and their roles in providing a separate channel of intelligence information to DOD policymakers and the Office of the Vice President.

· Take immediate steps to strengthen and reinvigorate the role of international inspectors from organizations like the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Iraq Action Team.

In addition to these action items, the Congresswoman also called for debate in Congress this year on longer-term changes to the leadership, organization and business methods of the Intelligence Community, including consideration of creation of a Director of National Intelligence separate from the head of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Remarks by
Congresswoman Jane Harman
Ranking Member
House Permanent Select Committee Intelligence
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE

http://www.house.gov/harman/press/releases/2004/030504PR_AEI.html

[saltpoint]

1. Some say Harman would be interested --

-- in running for governor next time.