Intelligence chief: U.S. safer since 9/11 [View All]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/02/negroponte/index.html
Intelligence chief: U.S. safer since 9/11
Negroponte rejects criticism that reform is moving too slowly

From David Ensor
CNN Washington Bureau

Friday, December 2, 2005; Posted: 11:08 p.m. EST (04:08 GMT)
John Negroponte says the nation's intelligence has improved in the past year.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In his first one-on-one interview as the nation's first director of national intelligence, John Negroponte told CNN, "I think our country is safer today" because of better integrated intelligence efforts.

He also rejected criticism that his office may be moving too slowly.

"I think the story is quite the contrary," he said, pointing to a new National Clandestine Service, which includes all the nation's spies, and a new National Security Branch at the FBI. (Read about the findings from the former 9/11 commission that disagrees)

Negroponte said the nation's intelligence has been improved since December 8, 2004, when Congress approved an intelligence reform law creating his office, despite "the fact that we've been operating from temporary quarters." (View an organizational chart of the restructured intelligence community)