CIA insider offered spy agency's No. 2 post (Steve Kappes)

CNN Politics ^ | May 9, 2006 | David Ensor

[LucyJo]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Steve Kappes, a recently retired CIA insider, has been offered the No. 2 slot at the spy agency, sources told CNN, to reassure the CIA operations community about Gen. Michael Hayden's appointment as director as well as ease concerns about that nominee's military ties.

The decision to tap Kappes is also seen as a move aimed at members of the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee who have raised doubts about Hayden.

Kappes was a civilian operations officer who reportedly was forced out of the CIA by Porter Goss' associates after Goss became director in 2004.

Intelligence analysts and former intelligence officials said that Kappes' selection is a repudiation of Goss, who abruptly announced his resignation Friday after reported disagreements with National Intelligence Director John Negroponte.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Thanks for the link.

[LucyJo]

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MjJlY2ZhNzZkNThhODg0YTVjNTk0MzkxMWU5ZDQ2YjE=

(excerpt)

CIA Run Amok

By The Editors

The reasons for Porter Goss’s abrupt departure as CIA director are shrouded in mystery. But its effect is not. It gives the impression that there has been a coup by the CIA insiders who have waged a covert policy war against the Bush administration for five years. The White House must act quickly to correct the impression that the renegades have won.

[LucyJo]

Hastert Voices Opposition to Hayden’s Nomination
By John Bresnahan
Roll Call Staff
Monday, May 8; 8:20 pm

Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has come out against the nomination of Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden to head the CIA, calling the ousting of former Rep. Porter Goss (R-Fla.) from the agency’s top post “a power grab” by John Negroponte, the director of national intelligence.

[Marine_Uncle]

"OpinionJournal piece:"
Thanks. A thoughtfull article. Guess it generated nothing that has not already been discussed.

[oceanview]

Hastert has now come out against Hayden?

Is this a political party, or a bunch of clowns at the circus?

[oceanview]

I don't know what the hell is going on now - but my gut tells me that the outcome is not positive.

why is it so hard to get control of this agency?

[Freedom is eternally right]

The Arms Control and Nonproliferation Advisory Board (ACNAB) held an organizational meeting on Monday, January 30. The Board will provide the Department with insight and advice on a broad range of international security issues. The Board is sponsored by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Robert Joseph, and is composed of national security experts with scientific, military, diplomatic, and political backgrounds. A list of members appears below.
Senator Fred Thompson (Chairman)
Dr. Michael R. Anastasio
Dr. Kathleen Bailey
Ms. Alison B. Fortier
Dr. William Graham
Mr. Stephen Kappes
Mr. Mitchel B. Kugler (Could not attend January 30th meeting)
Dr. Ronald F. Lehman
Vice Admiral Robert Monroe, USN (Ret)
Dr. Gordon Oehler
Dr. Keith Payne
Dr. Robert Pfaltzgraff
Senator Charles Robb
Dr. Amy Sands
Dr. James Schlesinger
Dr. William Schneider
Dr. William Van Cleave


Released on February 3, 2006
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/60323.htm

[Freedom is eternally right]

ArmorGroup International plc Appoints head of global strategy
ArmorGroup International plc, the leading international provider of defensive protective security services and security training services, today announces it has hired Stephen Kappes, the former Director of Operations with the Central Intelligence Agency.

Steve has accepted the role of Executive Vice President Global Strategy and will work on the creation of new service lines in developing markets for ArmorGroup, both in the United States and overseas.

Steve brings significant international security management experience as former Director of Operations with the CIA. Steve initially served with the United States Marine Corps before entering the US Government intelligence community, with whom he served for more than twenty years as a specialist in the affairs of North Africa, the Middle East, Russia and Central Asia.

Jerry Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer, welcomed Steve and said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Steve to the Group. He brings an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which we operate, both geographically and operationally, as well as many years of working with the Government agencies with whom we have relationships. We believe he will ensure ArmorGroup builds on its excellent reputation for performance on major contracts around the world.”
http://tinyurl.com/phfbm

[LucyJo]

John Bresnahan @ Roll Call said that Hastert's opposition to Hayden isn't personal, but that he is "concerned that installing a top-ranking military official at the 'CIA would give too much influence over the U.S. intelligence community to the Pentagon.'

Hastert apparently doesn't want a military guy as head of the CIA.

He needs to read a bit of history!

Hastert also said that Negroponte came by his office Wednesday and didn't say a word about Goss going to be out as director. Hastert said, "It looks like a power grab by Mr. Negroponte."

Don't know, but that's probably the rub with Hastert, since he and Goss served in the House together for so many years.

Steve Clemons @ Washington Note (lib site) seems to be hoping that this appointment by Negroponte, and the rehiring of Kappes, may be with the intent of ousting Rummy among other things. He says to keep an eye on Rummy and Deputy Under Sec. of Defense Lt. Gen. William Boykin.

Rummy has come out endorsing the appointment of Hayden, of course. So, all of the hoopla could be wishful thinking on the part of libs.

The various reactions from some Republicans is a bit confusing, so I'm watching closely, Hope Rush talks about it .

[Marine_Uncle]

"why is it so hard to get control of this agency?"
Perhaps really fundelmental things are being stepped on. Things one should not think about. I don't know. Perhaps we are over reacting. Perhaps in the end it will simply be a question of turf control. I hate to think sinister underlying things come into play that are better not being discussed.
At any rate, eyeballs are shot, time to hit the rack, do have a great upcoming day.

[LucyJo]

Thanks much for the info.

[Marine_Uncle]

"The various reactions from some Republicans is a bit confusing, so I'm watching closely, Hope Rush talks about it.
Perhaps a better picture shall be painted eventually. Meanwhile I am holding out on the premise Hayden is a good choice based on his background.
I do hope the rehiring of Kappes doesn't turn out to be some sort of flea bargaining going on.
Getting late, eyes are shot, do have a great upcoming day.

[LucyJo]

Probably very good advice! Prayers are always in order for the blessing of America! Good night. :)

[LucyJo]

Agree with you about Hayden. Hoping and praying for the best too.
Best to you...'night.

[Prost1]

They have been friends for ~50 years according to Negroponte....

[shield]

Guess will soon see...

[Prost1]

"Hastert has now come out against Hayden?
Is this a political party, or a bunch of clowns at the circus?"

No, it is the Executive vs the Legislative. And the SPEAKER is ~= the President in power since He supposedly controls the HOUSE where all funding originates.

And HASTERT has been so inconspicuous compared to SPEAKER Tom Folley, who was everywhere Reagan was. Hastert is invisible! We see Harry Reid more than HASTERT. We see Pelosi more than HASTERT.

When Reagan was President, we saw Tom Folley, Tom Folley, Tom Folley, and George Mitchell and George Mitchell and ...
you get the idea.

[Prost1]

As an aside, did Steve Kappes drop an R from his last name?
Just curious.

[LucyJo]

Yep. Just prayin' for the good guys. :)

[LucyJo]

LOL. Let's hope not.