Obama Rolls Out Panetta As CIA Head

Retired Adm. Dennis Blair Tapped As Nat'l Intelligence Director; Both Choices Face Questions

(CBS/AP)  Promising to protect the United States while adhering to its core human values, President-elect Barack Obama formally unveiled his intelligence team Friday, praising their integrity, management skills and willingness to tell him the truth.

"We must adhere to our values as diligently as we protect our safety with no exceptions," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama picked retired Adm. Dennis Blair as the national intelligence director and Leon Panetta to head the CIA.

He called them "public servants with unquestioned integrity, broad experience, and strong managers with the core pragmatism that we need in dangerous times."

Mr. Obama said he has given the men the clear charge to restore the United States' record on human rights.

"I was clear throughout this campaign and was clear throughout this transition that under my administration the United States does not torture. We will abide by the Geneva Conventions. We will uphold our highest ideals," he said.

Mr. Obama said that the country learned "tough lessons" under the Bush administration, and he will demand intelligence assessments "grounded solely in the facts, and not seek information to suit any ideological agenda."

Blair, a former head of the U.S. Pacific Command, pledged to uphold the standards that Mr. Obama articulated "and that the American people have a right to expect."

Blair won high marks for countering terrorism in southeast Asia after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He worked closely with foreign partners in crafting offensives that crippled the Jemaah Islamiyah terror faction in Indonesia and the Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines.

Panetta, a former congressman, White House chief of staff and budget director with no direct intelligence experience, will have the president's "complete trust and substantial clout," Mr. Obama said.

"He has handled intelligence daily at the very highest levels, and time and again he has demonstrated sound judgment, grace under fire, and complete integrity," he said.

Panetta's prospects for a smooth nomination hearing appeared to improve this week. Word he had been selected was greeted by incoming Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein with shock. She said Monday she had not been consulted on the pick and told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer that it would be an uphill battle to get confirmed.

But on Tuesday, she and Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the outgoing Democratic intelligence chairman, had spoken to Mr. Obama, who apologized for the slight, and to Panetta and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. Those conversations may help smooth the process.

Panetta said he would work to assuage a Congress bruised from eight years of abrasive relations with the Bush administration and promised "to form the kind of partnership we need if we're to win the war on terror."

Mr. Obama praised the intelligence professionals working at 16 U.S. agencies even as he criticized the current administration for directing them in carrying out harsh interrogation and secret rendition policies.

"They have served in the shadows, saved American lives, advanced our interests, and earned the respect of a grateful nation," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama is also tapping John Brennan to head homeland security and counterterrorism on the National Security Council. Michael Leiter will remain on as the director of the national Counterterrorism Center. And outgoing National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell will serve on Obama's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Mr. Obama has also asked the CIA's current deputy, Steve Kappes, to remain at the agency.

Current CIA director Michael Hayden said in a message to employees Friday that he has been asked to remain at the agency until Panetta is confirmed by the Senate.

He said he and Kappes met with and are "deeply impressed with his candor and clear commitment to the welfare of the men and women of CIA."

McConnell said in a statement Friday he was pleased with the selection of Blair.

Blair and Panetta are both garnering substantial support on Capitol Hill, although concerns exist about each. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., told The Associated Press on Thursday that he plans to question Blair about the role he played 10 years ago in U.S. efforts to rein in the Indonesian military as it brutally cracked down on civilians in East Timor. Staff aides to other members said they would be listening closely to the answers.

Paramilitary groups sponsored by the Indonesian military with U.S. financial and political patronage slaughtered more than 200,000 East Timorese over two decades. In 1999, as civilians were being massacred, Congress and the Clinton administration cut off all military ties.

Blair, then U.S. Pacific Command chief, pushed for renewing relations with the Indonesian army, reasoning that drawing it closer would give the U.S. more leverage. Mr. Obama spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said Blair was acting in accordance with U.S. policy.

"Admiral Blair condemned the conduct of Indonesian troops in East Timor, and he conveyed that if they behaved responsibly, the U.S. was prepared to resume normal relations. If they did not, they risked further negative consequences," she said.

The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, a human rights group, called Blair a poor choice for intelligence director this week.

Ed McWilliams, who was political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta at the time and is now with the human rights group, told the AP "the matter raises the larger question of our cooperation with militaries and intelligence agencies which abuse human rights, are unaccountable before their own justice systems and not subordinate to civilian control."

But McWilliams credited Blair for trying to lead a human rights delegation to Indonesia's province of West Papua where terrible abuses were occurring. He and his delegation were blocked by security forces.

[thrdarmored]

hatesthecolt: You''re an idiot. I know more about intel than you know about your wife. Leave this business to professionals like me, not some idiot blogger like you.

[renojmc]

Posted by irmcvet971 at 07:14 AM : Jan 10, 2009
--------

You''re either delusional or intellectually dishonest. Say what you will about Bush, but he kept us safe after 9/11. There''s no doubt the terrorists are licking their chops at attacking America with Obama in charge. Just look at all the foolish moves he''s taking already: Panetta heading the CIA (what next, Pee Wee Herman as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs?) as well his promises to stop warrantless wiretaps, rendition, etc.

You fools who support Obama endanger the entire free world.

[irmcvet971]

Our enemies used to be afraid of us. Now they are rejoicing that Obama is in charge and laughing at us.

Were doomed..........

Posted by hillaryin016 at 12:48 AM : Jan 10, 2009

Yeah sure they were! LOL Whats to be afraid of Sparky! That INSULT you called a PRESIDENT allowed them to escape into a safe haven HE created while HE attacked the WRONG Country. NOW we find the people who attacked us, not only still alive and well, but rebuilt to be stronger than they were when they attacked us. That''s YOUR idea of fear?? ROFLMAO No wonder you supported the WORST in our HISTORY!! Seek help Sparky, you are a danger to yourself and all around you!!

[irmcvet971]

and our enemies are laughing at us......were doomed

Posted by hillaryin016 at 12:37 AM : Jan 10, 2009

Really? You know this how?? Oh let me guess, YOU had lunch with them yesterday?? ROFLMAO YOU LOST swastika breath, get over it!!

[irmcvet971]

This is a scary choice by Obama. If we get hit again by an attack, his administration is done.

Although now that the Messia has taken over, their will be peace on earth, so why do we even need a CIA

Posted by jedi23231 at 04:01 AM : Jan 10, 2009

Why would anyone, even a fascist like yourself, say that? Bush and his INCOMPETENT Administration sat back and allowed the attack on 9/11 and we never heard any of you fascist say a word. HE attacked the WRONG nation, provided the people who attacked us a safe haven, allowing them to completely rebuild and YOU want to hold someone else responsible for that. Honest are you fascist living on ANOTHER planet or something??

[tmittelstaed]

"...Dianne Feinstein would not want anyone in that position that could interfere with her lucrative practice of selling America''''s future to the Chinese for the benefit of her billionaire husband Richard Blum...." - jbrown88881

You hit the nail on the head with that one! I work in tech and the tech industry is one of the worst offenders in this regard, the second we get any technology developed that would be a military advance, the tech industry is hawking it to Chinese intermediaries. This is an industry that got the US Government to declare encryption a "munition" and makes it illegal to post strong crypto algorithms on US servers - with the result that the crypto community moved overseas and the US is now way behind on crypto development. This is also an industry that developed CSS and refused to peer-review it in the crypto community before production with the result that the scheme was cracked within 6 months. They did the same thing with BluRay encryption and that is also now cracked. The tech industry is utterly incompetent in this area and the quicker they are pushed out of government intelligence the better.

[tmittelstaed]

The selection of Panetta is a strong spanking of the CIA. Obama knows that the rank and file in the CIA knew dam well they were following illegal orders by the Bush administration and Obama isn''t going to tolerate the CIA agents hiding behind the excuse that "they were just following orders" It''s the duty of any citizen or government official or agent or soldier for that matter to object to and oppose illegal orders, and the CIA''s people failed that test with the torture. Now, they are going to have to pay for it by being bossed around by a non-spy, by someone who was never in their little clique, and they are going to hate that.

[flsunjnky]

***, hillaryin016, well, maybe move to an island somewhere?

[nincomp]

The commies have landed in Washington...better keep your eyes open and your wits sharp!

Posted by TexHillGirl
+

Now is finally the time for Bushies to declare code "Red"

[chitownfire1]

Reckon it''''s because he kept them all trapped in Rezko''''s slums?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by TexHillGirl

There you go again pretending you know more than the Texas trailer park you grew up in. You dont know anything countrygirl, youre as stupid as that Texas Cowboy president of yours.....

[misha128-2009]

Lawwwwwwwd, where are the adults tonite...

Posted by TexHillGirl at 11:27 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Avoiding ill tempered brats like you.

[misha128-2009]

Posted by TexHillGirl at 11:25 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Rowdy -- the Queen of insults, innuendo and fabrication

[nanc12]

The commies have landed in Washington...better keep your eyes open and your wits sharp! It''''s going to be quite a ride fighting these bastwards....

Posted by TexHillGirl

rowdy''s outside with her binoculars, flashlight, civil defense whistle and short wave radio, watchin'' for those derned commies, you betcha! We can sleep better tonite, knowing she''s on the lookout.

[misha128-2009]

Posted by nanc12 at 11:19 PM : Jan 09, 2009

I actually saw an unconfirmed report that Berg may be seeking a movie deal. Sounds like opportunism on his part.

[misha128-2009]

Sure they are...some of the best ones are coming up!!!

Posted by TexHillGirl at 11:19 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Only Rowdy believes that the best comes last -- most people present their best case first -- clearly reflective of the quality of those filing these cases. How much have the lawyers bilked their clients for by bringing the "weak" cases?

[nanc12]

Yep, and his cases just keep getting stronger and stronger...he''''ll get it right eventually...our money is going to keep them right on rolling!!!

Posted by TexHillGirl

Well, that''s a real smart way to throw away your money, wiccan. So you think that after the inauguration, the court is going to rule in favor of Berg and invalidate the election. I''ve still got that swampland available for you to buy!

[misha128-2009]

Posted by TexHillGirl at 11:18 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Here a COMMIE
... There a COMMIE
...... Everywhere a COMMIE COMMIE

Rowdy,the 50''''s Retro Commie Hunter, theme

Senator McCarthy did not find the grand conspiracy then either.

Posted by misha128 at 11:08 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Same old drivel 24/7 -- you are worse than cable news as far as redundancy of you content.

[nanc12]

Four more cases lining up behind them...one of them will get it right eventually. The USSC just wants the lawyers to get it right so it will stick!
Posted by TexHillGirl

Yep, that''s right Rowdy. The justices are patiently teaching Berg how to be a lawyer. Uh huh. I sincerely the court starts doubling the court costs charged every time one of these frivolous lawsuits takes up even a minute of the SCOTUS time. Y

[misha128-2009]

Four more cases lining up behind them...one of them will get it right eventually. The USSC just wants the lawyers to get it right so it will stick!

Posted by TexHillGirl at 11:15 PM : Jan 09, 2009

NONE EVEN SCHEDULED FOR CONFERENCE --- your options are becoming more and more desperate.

[misha128-2009]

Posted by TexHillGirl at 11:13 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Still spamming that right wing web site content?