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Bush to Tap Negroponte as Intel Director
Feb. 17, 2005 — President Bush plans to tap John Negroponte, the current U.S. ambassador to Iraq, as his nominee to become the nation's first national intelligence director, ABC News has learned.
If confirmed by Congress, Negroponte, 65, would be charged with coordinating the activities of 15 U.S. intelligence agencies in a position created in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Negroponte also would control the flow of spy information and the purse strings for intelligence.
Bush is expected to announce his choice of Negroponte, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, at a 10 a.m. news conference.
Bush signed the bill creating the position of national intelligence director on Dec. 17, and White House spokesman Scott McClellan explained why the president took his time choosing a nominee.
"This is a position of critical importance and the president wanted to make sure he gets it right," The Associated Press quoted McClellan as saying. "This individual will have the full authority to do the job that needs to be done and will have the full confidence of the president of the United States."
Bob Callahan, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, declined to confirm the appointment of Negroponte as intelligence director.
"As far as we know Negroponte continues to serve here in Iraq at the pleasure of the president," Callahan said.
But a senior official directly involved confirmed Negroponte will be nominated.
"We don't even have a short list yet" on his replacement as U.S. ambassador to Iraq, the senior official said.
If confirmed by Congress, Negroponte, 65, would be charged with coordinating the activities of 15 U.S. intelligence agencies in a position created in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Negroponte also would control the flow of spy information and the purse strings for intelligence.
Bush is expected to announce his choice of Negroponte, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, at a 10 a.m. news conference.
Bush signed the bill creating the position of national intelligence director on Dec. 17, and White House spokesman Scott McClellan explained why the president took his time choosing a nominee.
"This is a position of critical importance and the president wanted to make sure he gets it right," The Associated Press quoted McClellan as saying. "This individual will have the full authority to do the job that needs to be done and will have the full confidence of the president of the United States."
Bob Callahan, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, declined to confirm the appointment of Negroponte as intelligence director.
"As far as we know Negroponte continues to serve here in Iraq at the pleasure of the president," Callahan said.
But a senior official directly involved confirmed Negroponte will be nominated.
"We don't even have a short list yet" on his replacement as U.S. ambassador to Iraq, the senior official said.
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