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July 9, 2009
Exclusive: Ask Willa: Former CIA Operations Officer – The CIA and the President
Dear Willa,
I don't know what your place was in the hierarchy of the CIA, but I would like your honest opinion of the recent machinations of President Obama in his betrayal of the CIA and outing of the agreements that guided the CIA in interrogations post 9/11 and thereafter.
How could an organization as super secret as the CIA be expected to operate efficiently and be able to continue to guide its future operations now that the President has shown his true intentions?
Sincerely, Charlie
Dear Charlie::
I was a Directorate of Operations officer and a Chief of Station during my career at CIA. First, I should say that the CIA supports the President of the United States and is essentially apolitical. I’m sure there is much discussion, but I do not think that professionals at the CIA would look at President Obama’s positions as “betrayal.” I believe that this President will rely heavily on the intelligence collection and analysis of the CIA, as the Chief Executive has since the inception of the organization in 1947. The President understands how critical good intelligence is to the national security of our nation and to good policy-making. As you probably know from the news media, the President went out to Langley recently to speak directly to employees and to insure them of the value he places on them and their critical work.
I was a Directorate of Operations officer and a Chief of Station during my career at CIA. First, I should say that the CIA supports the President of the United States and is essentially apolitical. I’m sure there is much discussion, but I do not think that professionals at the CIA would look at President Obama’s positions as “betrayal.” I believe that this President will rely heavily on the intelligence collection and analysis of the CIA, as the Chief Executive has since the inception of the organization in 1947. The President understands how critical good intelligence is to the national security of our nation and to good policy-making. As you probably know from the news media, the President went out to Langley recently to speak directly to employees and to insure them of the value he places on them and their critical work.
I'm not trying to spark a debate with this answer, but just want to explain the relationship between the CIA and the President of the United States. In short, the CIA, no matter what employees think privately, is apolitical!
What I do think is worrisome are the leaks that come out from time to time. Anyone, from the executive to legislative branches and throughout the Intelligence Community, who is cleared and has access to classified information, is prohibited from leaking that information – anywhere to anyone. Revelations, identities of sources and methods that have come out do indeed harm our ability to collect intelligence. It is imperative that sources of the CIA know that they can trust 100 percent that their identity and information are protected and stay within classified restrictions. Whenever there is a transgression in this area, we have a serious problem, and it should be looked at from the highest levels.
Regards, Willa
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