zimv20
Jul 1, 2005, 04:16 AM
link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4636117.stm)
US President George W Bush has ordered the creation of a domestic intelligence service within the FBI, as part of a package of 70 new security measures.
The White House says it is enacting the measures to fight international terrorist groups and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
The authorities will also be given the power to seize the property of people deemed to be helping the spread of WMD. An independent commission recommended the measures earlier this year.
The new measures form part of Mr Bush's overhaul of US intelligence agencies, aimed at bolstering the fight against terrorism and weapons proliferation.
FBI overhaul
The FBI is to be re-organised, and will include another new intelligence body called the National Security Service.
It will assume responsibility for intelligence work within the US, and combine the Justice Department's intelligence, counter-terrorism and espionage units.
Correspondents say the measure is designed to help dissolve the barriers between the FBI and the CIA.
John Negroponte, who was given the new job of US director of national intelligence in April, will be charged with putting the changes into effect.
Other measures include:
An executive order allowing US authorities to seize the assets of any person or any company thought to be aiding the spread of WMD, targeting specifically eight companies including two from North Korea, one from Iran and one from Syria
The establishment of a national counter-proliferation centre, to centralise US efforts to stop the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons
Giving control of all overseas human intelligence operations to the CIA
Seeking the creation of a new assistant attorney general position to centralise responsibility for intelligence and national security at the Justice Department.
(more)
US President George W Bush has ordered the creation of a domestic intelligence service within the FBI, as part of a package of 70 new security measures.
The White House says it is enacting the measures to fight international terrorist groups and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
The authorities will also be given the power to seize the property of people deemed to be helping the spread of WMD. An independent commission recommended the measures earlier this year.
The new measures form part of Mr Bush's overhaul of US intelligence agencies, aimed at bolstering the fight against terrorism and weapons proliferation.
FBI overhaul
The FBI is to be re-organised, and will include another new intelligence body called the National Security Service.
It will assume responsibility for intelligence work within the US, and combine the Justice Department's intelligence, counter-terrorism and espionage units.
Correspondents say the measure is designed to help dissolve the barriers between the FBI and the CIA.
John Negroponte, who was given the new job of US director of national intelligence in April, will be charged with putting the changes into effect.
Other measures include:
An executive order allowing US authorities to seize the assets of any person or any company thought to be aiding the spread of WMD, targeting specifically eight companies including two from North Korea, one from Iran and one from Syria
The establishment of a national counter-proliferation centre, to centralise US efforts to stop the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons
Giving control of all overseas human intelligence operations to the CIA
Seeking the creation of a new assistant attorney general position to centralise responsibility for intelligence and national security at the Justice Department.
(more)
