The Nation : Webster Opposes Call for CIA Watchdog

CIA Director William H. Webster spoke out against efforts to place an independent watchdog at his agency like those already in place at 19 other federal departments. Webster told the Senate Intelligence Committee that a proposal by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) to place an independent inspector general at the spy agency could deter foreign intelligence services and other sensitive sources from sharing information with the CIA, fearing its possible disclosure. The proposal for an independent inspector general at the CIA grew out of last summer’s Iran-Contra investigation, which found the agency’s current inspector general, who is appointed by the CIA director, “lacked the manpower, resources and tenacity” to uncover many of the abuses turned up during that probe.