CONFIRMATIONS

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 11:25 AM

Panetta Nomination Poised To Clear Intel Panel

By CHRIS STROHM, CongressDaily

The Senate Intelligence Committee is likely to vote today on the nomination of Leon Panetta to head the CIA, but it was unclear late Tuesday how much Republican support he will receive.

Republicans have expressed reservations over Panetta's qualifications to lead the embattled agency and his positions on key intelligence matters. That has drawn out his confirmation process, resulting in two public hearings and multiple exchanges of written questions and answers for the record.

The committee on Tuesday released the latest -- and likely final -- round of answers Panetta submitted in response to written questions, clearing the way for a confirmation vote.

Intelligence ranking member Christopher (Kit) Bond, R-Mo., insisted on Friday on having Panetta respond to additional questions. Bond's spokeswoman was unable to say Tuesday if Bond has made up his mind yet to vote for or against Panetta's nomination.

Intelligence Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said last week that the strength of Republican support for Panetta on the committee would determine if the full Senate would be able to confirm him by unanimous consent.

In response to the latest round of questions, Panetta said his "first order of business" would be to meet with CIA career officials to determine how to fill any intelligence gaps the agency has with regard to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"It is not clear to me whether a drawdown in U.S. forces in Iraq can result in a drawdown of intelligence resources there," he added.

Panetta wrote that he believed the threat of biological weapons was "among the highest national intelligence priorities."

A congressionally chartered commission issued a final report in December concluding that terrorists are more likely to obtain and use a biological weapon than a nuclear weapon.

Panetta said the problem of detecting biological threats is compounded by the fact that biological agents are used for legitimate medical or research purposes.

"While some sensors can help address this intelligence problem, countering bioweapons is primarily a human intelligence problem," he wrote. "If confirmed, I will ensure that CIA analysts work closely with the National Clandestine Service to tailor effective collection operations, and that a very high collection priority is placed on this critical issue."

Panetta said the U.S. government should have to justify to a court why it is detaining suspected terrorists.

"If confirmed, I will work with agency lawyers to protect intelligence sources and methods, while ensuring appropriate due process for detainees," he said.

In one question, Bond wrote that that he had "great concern" about Panetta's ability to improve operations at the agency.

"There is some concern that, because of your lack of an intelligence background, you will have to rely heavily on those with institutional knowledge at the CIA," Bond wrote. "How will you strike the balance between relying on those with institutional knowledge without ending up with the status quo?"

Panetta said he has faced such challenges repeatedly in his 40 years of public service.

"That will be my first task: to understand our gaps and direct resources to fill those gaps," Panetta wrote. "In this task, I will have full partners in the professionals at CIA. I will rely on them for their experience and judgment. But the final decisions will be mine."