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Weekly Intelligence Notes #15-02 |
WIN 15-02 dated 15 April 2002
Weekly Intelligence Notes (WINs) contain intelligence-related notes and commentaries produced, written or edited by Roy Jonkers for non-profit educational uses by AFIO members and WIN subscribers. The reports contain copyright material and may not be disseminated without permission of the producer/editor. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) cited and/or the producer. The perspectives taken are one based on the US national security interests and a long professional view with roots in the WWII period.
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SECTION I - Current Intelligence
US Command Structure Realigned
CIA Officers Accused of Spying in Russia
CIA Racial Discrimination Lawsuit
SECTION II - Context and Precedence
Senate Resolution Seeks Return of USS Pueblo
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Update
SECTION III - Cyber Intelligence
Palestinian Sites Knocked Out in Mid-East Conflict
SECTION IV - Books and Sources
The Creation of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency
SECTION V - Letters and Announcements
Los Angeles Police Homeland Defense
Employment Opportunity - Terrorism Threat Analysts
SECTION I - CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
US COMMAND STRUCTURE REALIGNED -- The newly published 2002 Unified Command Plan (UCP 2002) calls for the creation of a new geographic command for North America, Northern Command (NORTHCOM), for planning homeland defense missions and supporting U.S. civil authorities. The commander of NORTHCOM will be responsible for homeland defense of the United States, including land, air, space and sea defenses. The NORTHCOM commander will also have responsibility for security cooperation and military coordination with Canada and Mexico.
NORTHCOM headquarters will begin operations on 1 October 2002 at Peterson Air force Base, Colorado. General Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF, currently the chief of US Space Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), is expected to be nominated to command Northern Command. He will also remain the Commander of NORAD.
The creation of NORTHCOM is intended to provide a more coordinated approach for military support to U.S. civil authorities, such as the FBI, FEMA and local & state governments, in the event of natural disasters, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) events, or civil disturbances. As described by Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, NORTHCOM's basic mission is to support civilian authorities in case of another terrorist attack. After the September 11 attacks, "there was not a good unity of effort." With the new command, "we'll have a locus that will allow us to provide what's needed at the right time to the right federal agency or perhaps state agency."
Other changes contained in Unified Command Plan 2002 include
(1) designating the Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) from being a regional command to being the fifth functional unified command. JFCOM�s mandate is to play a central role in transforming America�s military to meet the challenges that lie ahead, including advancing "jointness".
(2) Assigning to the Commander European Command (USEUCOM) the responsibility of managing military-to-military relations with Russia, a reflection of the recognition that the Cold War is over. Previously all commands concentrated on the Soviet threat.
(3) Pacific Command, based in Hawaii, will add Antarctica to its geographic responsibility, and will be responsible for military-to-military relationships with the Far East military districts of Russia.
The Unified Command Plan 2002 is a key element of the strategy for America�s defense outlined in the Quadrennial Defense Review. The QDR's defense strategy envisions extending America's influence and preserving America's security while recognizing the inevitability of uncertainty and surprise. UCP 2002 underscores three key tenets of the Quadrennial Defense Review: (1) The highest priority of the U.S. military is to defend the United States from all enemies; (2) The U.S. military must sustain its forward commitment to allies and partners; (3) To meet emerging challenges, the U.S. military must transform.
The changes reflected in the UCP 2002 are obviously intended to update a complex command structure and a strategy rooted in the Cold War to adapt to the current and future world environments. The creation of NORTHCOM appears to be a Defense Department effort to create a structural military equivalent to the new White House Office of Homeland Defense. The charter for the Joint Forces Command provides a focus for defense transformation in terms of doctrine and training. All of this necessarily impacts on intelligence structures, requirements and flows. (Jonkers) (Pentagon Briefing 17 April 02; AP 18 April 02; WPost 18 April 02 p. A8; WTimes 18 April02 p. A8)
CIA OFFICERS ACCUSED OF SPYING IN RUSSIA -- A spokesman for the Federal Security Service said on 10 April that CIA officers posing as embassy officials in Russia had tried to recruit an employee of a Russian Defense Ministry installation. According to the spokesman, the Russian security service officers were able to monitor the CIA officers' activities and prevent serious damage to Russia's security. Three alleged CIA participants' names were identified. Mark Mansfield, spokesman for the CIA, declined to comment. Agency officials routinely decline to discuss foreign allegations of U.S. espionage.
Despite the end of the Cold War, it appears that the spy business is alive and well between Russia and the United States, and that both sides have a healthy interest in trying to predict the other's next moves, even if they now are allies in the war on terrorism. Recent episodes have included the conviction in December 1999 of U.S. businessman (and former US Navy intelligence collector) Edmond Pope, who became the first American convicted of spying in Russia in 40 years. President Putin pardoned him shortly after his conviction. Last year, Russia ordered 50 U.S. diplomats to leave the country in response to the U.S. expulsion of 50 Russian diplomats following the arrest of FBI agent Robert Hanssen for spying for Moscow. The Russians' arrest of U.S. Fulbright scholar John Tobin on marijuana charges also attracted wide attention after security officials said they believed he was a spy in training. Tobin was freed from prison last August. The game goes on. (Assoc. Press 10 April 02 //J. Ingram)
CIA RACIAL DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT -- In answer to a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Sterling, a former case officer with the CIA from 1993-2001, CIA Director George J. Tenet personally filed a declaration with the court asserting a formal claim of 'State Secrets' privilege, stating that "this case cannot continue in the Southern District of New York without causing serious damage to the national security of the United States..." The reasons underlying DCI Tenet�s statements were contained in a classified declaration made available to the court, but which neither Sterling or his legal counsel were permitted to see.
The lawsuit was filed pro se in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on August 28, 2001. Sterling�s case, however, was not publicly known until the New York Times revealed its existence on March 2, 2002. As an alternative to its motion to dismiss, the CIA requested that the case be transferred to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where the CIA is located. Sterling�s response is due to be submitted for classification review by
May 17, 2002.
The State Secrets privilege, a rarely invoked privilege created by the Supreme Court fifty years ago, permits a federal agency absolute authority to dismiss a plaintiff�s case in its entirety if the national security interests of the nation are at stake. (Jonkers) (M. Zaid, Esq., Public Release 19 April 02 (202 371-6626), & NYT)
SECTION II - CONTEXT AND PRECEDENCE
SENATE RESOLUTION SEEKS RETURN OF USS PUEBLO -- The Pueblo, a U.S. Navy intelligence collection vessel, was attacked and captured by the North Korean Navy on January 23, 1968. One crew member was killed in the incident and the remainder were held captive for 11 months. The ship itself has been kept as a sort of trophy by North Korea, and is on public display. The Senate Resolution introduced on April 18th by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) demands the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy. "At issue here isn't the value of the ship," said Sen. Campbell. "At issue is the honor of America and the record of those who proudly served and were illegal captives of North Korea"
Declassified documents tracing the tense policy deliberations over the fate of the Pueblo in 1968 were published in the U.S. State Department's Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964-1968, volume XXIX, Part 1. See documents 212 through 331 here:
http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/history/vol_xxix/index.html
One can only applaud both the introduction of the resolution and the fact that our policies as well as the world environment have changed so that this kind of attack on a US Naval vessel would not go unchallenged today. May the resolution be adopted and cause Executive action. (Jonkers) (Secrecy News 19 April 02) http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2002_cr/s041802
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) UPDATE -- The piston-engine, Hellfire-armed Predator A and the new turboprop-powered Predator B (carrying yet-to-be-determined weapons) will become a hunter-killer force, in the 11th, 13th and 15th, squadrons, home-based at Indian Springs auxiliary air field on the Nevada test ranges just north of Las Vegas. Production of the Predators will be accelerated from 7 or 8 a year to 24 per year for at least the next two years. The upgraded Predator B version will be optimized for the hunter-killer mission with a payload increasing from 450 (on the A) to 750 lbs., with an additional 1,000 lbs. on the wings. Weapons other than the current Hellfire will be considered. The same 24-hour endurance as the Predator A model will be retained for the B model, but cruising speed will increase from 118 to 210 mph, with the ceiling going from 25,000 to 45,000 ft. The Air Force production of the first 51 long-distance Global Hawks (the Navy is buying another two for experimentation) is being accelerated, and both Services are developing additions to the multi-sensor intelligence-collection payload. Four of the Global Hawks are to be built next year and six each following year, with Navy production extra. Air Force reportedly has funding to accelerate the Global Hawk payload development because of the Afghan conflict. The manufacturer has been challenged to make the G/Hawk capabilities equal to those of the U-2 within six months. Global Hawk squadrons will be based with the U-2s at Beale AFB, California. It was announced recently that the Air Force wants its allies and potential foes to know that the Global Hawk, like the U-2, will remain unarmed.
(Harvey) (Aviation Week 15 Apr '02, pg. 20 // D. Fulghum)
SECTION III - CYBER INTELLIGENCE
WHITE HOUSE INTERNET PLAN -- Richard Clarke, President Bush's point man on national cyber security, recently addressed the status of the controversial plan to build an discreet information network for the federal government, known as 'Govnet.' He noted that it was found to be technologically feasible, but qualified the Administration's commitment to it, saying Govnet is merely a "concept," not an actual program or project. "Govnet is a question - that may lead to programs." Leading technology firms have criticized the Govnet plan as immature, unclear and underfunded.
Lawmakers have not set aside any money in the president's budget for next year to fund the network, even though President Bush has called for a 64% increase in information security spending across the board. (Jonkers) (Government Executive 17 April 02//S. Harris) (courtesy G. O'Hara)
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0402/041702h1.htm
PALESTINIAN SITES KNOCKED OUT IN MIDEAST CONFLICT -- Contrary to recent reports, Israeli Web sites have not born the brunt of the escalating violence in the Middle East, security experts said today. Indeed, the pace of attacks on Israeli Web sites has slowed sharply this year, even as numerous Palestinian government sites have been unreachable due to the conflict in the region.(Levine's Newbits 18 April 02)
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/175980.html
TRACKING TERRORISTS -- Can search engines track down terrorists? Search companies are offering their services to government agencies, claiming that crucial records may be being overlooked because of format or filing overloads. Several search companies are offering technology to help government agencies organize their records. It could stop anti-terrorist information from falling through the cracks -- or, as long as there is government money to spend there will be ideas on how to do it. (RJ) (Levine 18 Ap02)
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2108677,00.html
SECTION IV - BOOKS AND SOURCES
THE CREATION OF THE NATIONAL IMAGERY AND MAPPING AGENCY: Congress' Role as Overseer, by Anne Daugherty Miles, Occasional Paper Number 9, Joint Military Intelligence College, April 2001, Washington DC.
Interested observers of how Congress handles the politics of structural change in the Intelligence Community are well served by Anne Miles' thoughtful and timely monograph on the creation of NIMA in 1996. The author skillfully tracks then-DCI John Deutsch's proposal to combine the multitude of defense and intelligence organizations responsible for imagery analysis and geospatial mapping into a single agency. While Miles is primarily concerned with Congressional processes and the play between authorization and appropriation committees, she also captures the powerful personalities involved with the NIMA vision and those who questioned the wisdom of the proposal. (reviewed by Jon A. Wiant).
SECTION V - LETTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LOS ANGELES POLICE HOMELAND DEFENSE -- AFIO member Detective H. C. (Los Angeles Police Dept) writes -- We at LAPD are working on our HLS initiatives. This past week we were visited by David Pope, Deputy Director at the Joint Battle Center, JFC. In the coming weeks we hope to begin a dialogue with Don Eddington, Director, Advanced IT Services JOP & Chief, DISA Center for IT Integration. It is my goal to bring LAPD into the early participation of HLS agencies. I have a small core of fellow police who have intelligence and military experience, but we are working in an area that is new and unfamiliar. If there are AFIO members who have an interest and ability to offer advice, direction, or other support for us, we welcome their communication. (Ed. Note: Members may identify themselves and their qualifications by email <afio@afio.com> -- Ref. LAPD Request.) (Jonkers)
USS LIBERTY INVESTIGATION -- Joe M. writes - What with another anniversary rapidly approaching we would like to remind everyone of our ongoing effort to obtain a complete copy of the US government investigation of the 8JUN67 attack on our ship that some have claimed has already been conducted. If you have specific and verifiable knowledge that one HAS been conducted (not merely a report implying that one has) please email us to that effect at investigation@ussliberty.com.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - TERRORISM THREAT ANALYSTS -- for Southern Command - needed are 4 - 7 experienced intelligence analysts. For more information contact Jack Massengale by email fedservice@yahoo.com (RJ)
IN MEMORIAM -- Colonel Carl Eifler, USA, former commander of OSS detachment 101 in Burma during WW II, died at age 95 in Salinas, California. He served under the command of Lt. General Joseph Stillwell, entering Burma in December 1942 to operate behind Japanese lines, conducting commando warfare. He did so with great success. By the end of 1943 the 5307th Composite Group, under the command of Brigadier General Frank Merrill, better known as Merrill's Marauders, took the field. The Marauders met the 101st one day when they "were confronted by a white man in a partly Australian, partly British and partly American uniform," who said "Glad you got here boys. We've been waiting 18 months for you to arrive."
The 101st commander, was universally credited with the success of his detachment's operations and was known as a fearless commander. He had been a former Los Angeles police officer and US Customs Service Border Patrol officer, stood 6ft 2 inches tall, weighed 250 pounds, was a skilled boxer and crack shot. General Stillwell's affectionate nickname for him was 'Buffalo Bill.' General Stillwell was fascinated with the operation, and admired the detachment's intelligence collection capabilities. The fight was not without cost.
Colonel Eifler suffered head injuries in Burma that were to plague him the rest of his life. Thomas N. Moon wrote his biography in 1975, entitled , "The Deadliest Colonel." We bid farewell to another old warrior who has departed from our midst. (Jonkers) (Wpost 21Ap02, p. C6)
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