Bush authorizes stronger CIA chief, anti-terror center

WASHINGTON — Amid a heated election-year debate on intelligence reform, President Bush signed executive orders Friday strengthening the powers of the CIA director and establishing a new national counterterrorism center.

The moves will "improve our ability to find, track and stop terrorists," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

One executive order gives the CIA director additional authority on an interim basis to perform many functions of a proposed national intelligence director who would oversee all 15 of the nation's intelligence agencies. Bush also will work with Congress to create the position of national intelligence director, McClellan said.

The order designates the CIA chief as the president's principal adviser on intelligence matters and, White House officials said, strengthens his hand over the intelligence budget. "The director shall be responsible for developing an integrated and balanced national intelligence program that is directly responsive to the national security threats facing the United States," Bush said.

Congress and members of the intelligence community are divided over creation of the new position, which would upset the current bureaucracy and balance of power among the spy agencies, as well as the power of various committees in Congress that oversee the agencies.

McClellan said the White House would work with Congress to make sure the proposed national intelligence director has enough authority over spending and hiring and firing "so they can do the job and do it effectively." The independent commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks had proposed giving the new director strong powers in both areas.

Another executive order establishes the National Counter-Terrorism Center, while a third order sets guidelines for the sharing of intelligence among agencies. McClellan said the order would establish "some common standards and clear accountability measures."

A fourth order establishes a presidential board on safeguarding Americans' civil liberties, an area of concern as the law enforcement agencies gain authority to battle terrorists.

Bush also issued two presidential directives. One calls for establishing a government-wide standard for identifying federal employees and contractors with access to government facilities. The other strengthens the government's procedures for screening databases for suspected terrorists.

"The president is committed to doing everything in his power to make sure that we are protecting the American people," his chief spokesman said.