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26 May 2006

U.S. Senate Confirms Hayden as CIA Director

Bush says Hayden's intelligence experience makes him the right person to lead the CIA

Washington -- The full Senate voted by a wide margin May 26 to confirm Air Force General Michael Hayden to be the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

President Bush commended the Senate for confirming Hayden -- in a 78 to 15 vote -- just before recessing for 10 days.  The White House issued a same-day statement saying Hayden’s strong leadership would ensure that the United States has access to the best possible intelligence that it needs to win the war against terrorism.

Bush said Hayden’s dedication as a public servant and experience as an intelligence professional makes him “the right person to lead the CIA at this critical time.”

Hayden will resign his post as deputy to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte to head the CIA just as outgoing CIA director Porter Goss leaves the agency on May 26.  Bush said he looks forward to working with Negroponte, Hayden and other intelligence community leaders to address 21st century challenges and threats.

During his public confirmation hearing and in private meetings with key congressional leaders Hayden had to overcome the concerns of some lawmakers that a military officer should not head the CIA or that he might have trouble maintaining an independent course for the civilian agency.  (See related article.)

Hayden also addressed concerns about the breadth and legality of a government program, begun during his previous tenure as director of the National Security Agency, to listen in on telephone conversations between terrorist suspects abroad and parties located in the United States.

Hayden’s long career in the field of intelligence appeared to have won over the large majority of senators who scrutinized his background and qualifications.  (See related article.)

The full text of the president’s statement is available on the White House Web site.

For additional information on U.S. policies, see International Security.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)