Intelligence

DATE=2-17-05

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS / INTELLIGENCE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-322655

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: US Senators Voice Support for National Intelligence Director Nominee

INTRO: U.S. Senate leaders are vowing expedited proceedings to confirm John Negroponte, the current U.S. ambassador to Iraq, as national intelligence director. Initial reaction from Senators has been positive, as VOA correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, welcomed Ambassador Negroponte's nomination:

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"John Negroponte has an outstanding record as a career diplomat. He will need those skills in working with and coordinating our 15 intelligence agencies and the

Pentagon."

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Senator Roberts says he will hold confirmation hearings on the nomination as soon as Ambassador Negroponte's duties in Iraq are completed.

Mr. Roberts says he looks forward to working with Ambassador Negroponte after he is confirmed on a range of intelligence matters, from reducing the threat of terrorism to improving the collection and sharing of intelligence.

Another Republican, Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, says he has enormous confidence in Mr. Negroponte, who has also served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

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"He understands the world, he understands security issues as well as diplomatic issues. He is smart, he is tough."

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Democrats, too, expressed support for the nominee. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island:

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"He is a distinguished foreign service officer. He has been in many different environments throughout his career. My initial reaction is that this is a consummate professional, who, if confirmed, will have extraordinary responsibilities."

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The national intelligence director was created by Congress on the recommendation of the bipartisan commission that investigated the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Once in his new post, Ambassador Negroponte will coordinate the work of all 15 U.S. intelligence agencies. (signed)

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