22-12-2013, 12:54 PM
New York World-Telegram & Sun, 23 December 1963, p.18
Editorial: AEC and CIA
In a report just released, the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy (of Congress) takes sharp issue with Defense Secretary McNamara's decision not to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
The point is not whether the committee or McNamara is right, but that a Congressional committee, with some authority behind it, is in a position to analyze the McNamara decision.
No committee of Congress is in position to perform a similar service with respect to our intelligence agencies.
The Central Intelligence Agency, for instance, operates in high secrecy and there is no watchdog group in Congress informed enough and close enough to the agency to do knowledgeably what the Joint Atomic Energy Committee has done.
Former President Truman, in his recent copyrighted comment, said he thinks the CIA has strayed far afield from the purposes for which it was created in his administration.
Some searching questions should be asked, he said. But there is no authoritative committee in Congress to ask them.
Whether the Atomic Energy Committee's size-up on the nuclear ship is right or not is not as important as the assurance that there is a bi-partisan, well-equipped committee in Congress to keep a constant check on these matters, for the guidance of the public and especially Congress.
The secret, vital intelligence field should be given the same treatment.
Editorial: AEC and CIA
In a report just released, the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy (of Congress) takes sharp issue with Defense Secretary McNamara's decision not to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
The point is not whether the committee or McNamara is right, but that a Congressional committee, with some authority behind it, is in a position to analyze the McNamara decision.
No committee of Congress is in position to perform a similar service with respect to our intelligence agencies.
The Central Intelligence Agency, for instance, operates in high secrecy and there is no watchdog group in Congress informed enough and close enough to the agency to do knowledgeably what the Joint Atomic Energy Committee has done.
Former President Truman, in his recent copyrighted comment, said he thinks the CIA has strayed far afield from the purposes for which it was created in his administration.
Some searching questions should be asked, he said. But there is no authoritative committee in Congress to ask them.
Whether the Atomic Energy Committee's size-up on the nuclear ship is right or not is not as important as the assurance that there is a bi-partisan, well-equipped committee in Congress to keep a constant check on these matters, for the guidance of the public and especially Congress.
The secret, vital intelligence field should be given the same treatment.
"There are three sorts of conspiracy: by the people who complain, by the people who write, by the people who take action. There is nothing to fear from the first group, the two others are more dangerous; but the police have to be part of all three,"
Joseph Fouche
Joseph Fouche