Posted on 03/19/2003 5:47:20 PM PST by HAL9000
WASHINGTON, March 19 (UPI) -- The top National Security Council official in the war on terror resigned this week for what a NSC spokesman said were personal reasons, but intelligence sources say the move reflects concern that the looming war with Iraq is hurting the fight against terrorism.Rand Beers would not comment for this article, but he and several sources close to him are emphatic that the resignation was not a protest against an invasion of Iraq. But the same sources, and other current and former intelligence officials, described a broad consensus in the anti-terrorism and intelligence community that an invasion of Iraq would divert critical resources from the war on terror.
Beers has served as the NSC's senior director for counter-terrorism only since August. The White House said Wednesday that he officially remains on the job and has yet to set a departure date.
"Hardly a surprise," said one former intelligence official. "We have sacrificed a war on terror for a war with Iraq. I don't blame Randy at all. This just reflects the widespread thought that the war on terror is being set aside for the war with Iraq at the expense of our military and intel resources and the relationships with our allies."
A Senate Intelligence Committee staffer familiar with the resignation agreed that it was not a protest against the war against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein but confirmed that frustration is widespread in the anti-terror establishment and played a part in Beers' decision.
"Randy said that he was 'just tired' and did not have an interest in adding the stress that would come with a war with Iraq," the source said.
The source said that the concern by the administration about low morale in the intelligence community led national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to ask Beers twice during an exit interview whether the resignation was a protest against the war with Iraq. The source said that although Beers insisted it was not, the tone of the interview concerned Rice enough that she felt she had to ask the question twice.
"This is a very intriguing decision (by Beers)," said author and intelligence expert James Bamford. "There is a predominant belief in the intelligence community that an invasion of Iraq will cause more terrorism than it will prevent. There is also a tremendous amount of embarrassment by intelligence professionals that there have been so many lies out of the administration -- by the president, (Vice President Dick) Cheney and (Secretary of State Colin) Powell -- over Iraq."
Bamford cited a recent address by President Bush that cited documents, which allegedly proved Iraq was continuing to pursue a nuclear program, that were later shown to be forgeries.
"It is absurd that the president of the United States mentioned in a speech before the world information from phony documents and no one got fired," Bamford said. "That alone has offended intelligence professionals throughout the services."
But some involved in the fight on terror said that it was dangerous to look too far into one resignation -- particularly from an official who has not blamed the war on Iraq.
"I found his resignation shocking," said one official closely involved in the domestic fight on terror. "And it might reflect a certain frustration over the allocation of resources. But I'm not positive that there's a consensus (among intelligence services) that deposing Saddam's regime is a bad idea for fighting terror. I think that there are serious concerns about resources and alienating allies, but some of us see an upside."
But others point out that the CIA warned Congress last year that an invasion might lead to a rise in terrorism. This, they say, is evidence there's more than just ambivalence about the war among the spy community.
"If it was your job to prevent terror attacks, would you be happy about an action that many see as unnecessary, that is almost guaranteed to cause more terror in the short-term?" said one official. "I know I'm not (happy)."
Beers joined the NSC in August after heading the State Department's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement branch, where he ran the Plan Colombia program to fight narco-traffickers in that country. Beers served both Bush administrations as well as serving in similar capacities with both the Clinton and Reagan administrations.
Copyright © 2001-2003 United Press International
I see, we're supposed to believe the fine minds at the U.N. over our own elected officials, right?
Frankly, the proof in the pudding will be when the troops in Iraq find the caches of WMDs and their precursors.
Good riddance
Nah. These bureaucrats have egos the size of Dallas. If they (or what they do) are not in the headlines, they're pissed.
So, what's "Rand" going to do? Work for GLAAD?
Damn, what a thoughtful, insightful and intelligent comment. Sure beats the heck out of folks calling this Beers fellow a traitor, etc. Maybe, just maybe, there are a few true patriots out there that don't think this war is in our best interest. Time will tell.
Interesting, when UPI names/titles the source of the comments, the source says there is no connection between the resignation and the war in Iraq. When UPI just uses the "anonymous" sources the reverse is stated. I think it's just the writer's speculation and own desire to imply there is trouble in Dubya's White House.
Sounds like:
A: He's been around a while (perhaps retirement), and
B: The UPI author thinks he's leaving due to his 'belief' that the Iraq war will have a negative effect on the war on terror.
Frankly, I beleive that the Iraq war will have a profoundly positive effect on the war on terror. It will remove one big chunk of their capability. Granted, there may be a short term, sporadic outbreak of weak terrorist attempts, but there will, IMHO, be a very positive long-term effect when Iraq is eliminated as a source.
The following terms were used . . . but intelligence sources say . . . but he and several sources close to him are emphatic . . . But the same sources, and other current and former intelligence officials . . . said one former intelligence official . . . A Senate Intelligence Committee staffer familiar with the resignation agreed . . . the source said – used 3 times . . . But some involved in the fight on terror said . . . said one official closely involved in the domestic fight on terror . . . But others point out . . . said one official
If my count is accurate that's twelve unnamed source attributions. Those who like to spread BS are sure shy folks, huh?
Then the only quoted source said . . . "This is a very intriguing decision (by Beers)," said author and intelligence expert James Bamford. "There is a predominant belief in the intelligence community that an invasion of Iraq will cause more terrorism than it will prevent. There is also a tremendous amount of embarrassment by intelligence professionals that there have been so many lies out of the administration -- by the president, (Vice President Dick) Cheney and (Secretary of State Colin) Powell -- over Iraq."
Pretty damning stuff, huh? Until one checks Senor Bamford out a bit.
I did and found this on his Publisher's Website . . .
"While researching The Puzzle Palace, Bamford used the Freedom of Information Act to gain access to recently declassified NSA documents. Nevertheless, the NSA--notoriously obsessed with secrecy--threatened to prosecute Bamford for a breach of national security. Bamford's research, however, was totally legal and the government eventually backed off. In fact, the government ended up using The Puzzle Palace as a textbook in its Defense Intelligence College. Bamford continues to champion congressional oversight and public scrutiny of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
"Bamford spent nearly a decade as the Washington Investigative Producer for ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings where he won a number of journalism awards for his coverage national security issues. In 1997, as the media profession began turning away from international news coverage and focusing almost exclusively on Monica Lewinsky and other domestic political scandals, Bamford left ABC to work on a new full-length book about the NSA. This became Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency. Initially published in April 2001 to rave reviews, it also became a national bestseller."
Does the fact that Mr. Bamford is a writer affect his judgment? Some would think not. Others would say he only eats if he sells books and they would be suspicious of him when he takes a position that will surely get him some free advertising.
Secondly, does him working for ABC and Peter Jennings automatically disqualify him to judge a Republican Administration? Some would think not. Others don't believe in the Tooth Fairy.
I report . . . you decide.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.