04/06/2004
CIA loses a second senior official
After CIA director George Tenet quit his post on Wednesday night, a second senior official has announced that he intends to leave the agency.
Spymaster James Pavitt has said today that he is retiring from his post as director of operations.
The CIA has said that the departures of Mr Tenet and Mr Pavitt are unconnected. But both men have moved on prior to the publication of what is widely expected to be a savage assessment of the agency by the senate's 9/11 inquiry.
The embattled director of the CIA George Tenet, who has been viewed as somewhat of a liability for the Bush administration, resigned for "personal reasons".
Mr Tenet told the president that he intended to resign during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday night.
The outgoing director will continue in his post until July 11, at which time the CIA's deputy director, John McLaughlin, will act up to head the service.
In a departing letter to employees, Mr Tenet acknowledged that errors had been made in during the war on terror.
"Our record is not without flaws. The world of Intelligence is a uniquely human endeavour and as in all human endeavours we all understand the need to always do better. We are not perfect but one of our best kept secrets is that we are very, very, very good.
"Whatever our shortcomings, the American people know that we constantly evaluate our performance, always strive to do better, and always tell the truth."
He added: "Like other wars, it has been a struggle of battles won and, tragically, battles lost. You have acted with focus and courage through it all, before and after 9/11."
Lib Dem Shadow Foreign Affairs Secretary, Sir Menzies Campbell said that the departures coming so close together "must inevitably undermine the reputation and effectiveness of the CIA".
He added: "They put into sharp focus the basis upon which it was claimed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and the extent to which the British position was influenced by these claims."
At a press conference yesterday, President Bush said he was sorry to see Mr Tenet leave as he had "done a superb job on behalf of the American people".
He praised Mr Tenet as "strong", "resolute" and an "able leader".
"He's been a -- he's been a strong leader in the war on terror. And I will miss him. I send my blessings to George and his family. I look forward to working with him until the time he leaves the agency. And I wish him all the very best," Mr Bush added.
(gmcg)
Spymaster James Pavitt has said today that he is retiring from his post as director of operations.
The CIA has said that the departures of Mr Tenet and Mr Pavitt are unconnected. But both men have moved on prior to the publication of what is widely expected to be a savage assessment of the agency by the senate's 9/11 inquiry.
The embattled director of the CIA George Tenet, who has been viewed as somewhat of a liability for the Bush administration, resigned for "personal reasons".
Mr Tenet told the president that he intended to resign during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday night.
The outgoing director will continue in his post until July 11, at which time the CIA's deputy director, John McLaughlin, will act up to head the service.
In a departing letter to employees, Mr Tenet acknowledged that errors had been made in during the war on terror.
"Our record is not without flaws. The world of Intelligence is a uniquely human endeavour and as in all human endeavours we all understand the need to always do better. We are not perfect but one of our best kept secrets is that we are very, very, very good.
"Whatever our shortcomings, the American people know that we constantly evaluate our performance, always strive to do better, and always tell the truth."
He added: "Like other wars, it has been a struggle of battles won and, tragically, battles lost. You have acted with focus and courage through it all, before and after 9/11."
Lib Dem Shadow Foreign Affairs Secretary, Sir Menzies Campbell said that the departures coming so close together "must inevitably undermine the reputation and effectiveness of the CIA".
He added: "They put into sharp focus the basis upon which it was claimed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and the extent to which the British position was influenced by these claims."
At a press conference yesterday, President Bush said he was sorry to see Mr Tenet leave as he had "done a superb job on behalf of the American people".
He praised Mr Tenet as "strong", "resolute" and an "able leader".
"He's been a -- he's been a strong leader in the war on terror. And I will miss him. I send my blessings to George and his family. I look forward to working with him until the time he leaves the agency. And I wish him all the very best," Mr Bush added.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 April 2008
Brickies Banned From Wolf-Whistling
Bristol brickies have been banned from wolf-whistling at women. Leading building firm George Wimpey Bristol has outlawed the custom of builders whistling their appreciation of women walking below the scaffolding, for fear of putting off "savvy and sophisticated" buyers visiting sites.
Brickies Banned From Wolf-Whistling
Bristol brickies have been banned from wolf-whistling at women. Leading building firm George Wimpey Bristol has outlawed the custom of builders whistling their appreciation of women walking below the scaffolding, for fear of putting off "savvy and sophisticated" buyers visiting sites.
12 November 2012
Director And Deputy Director Of News At BBC 'Step Aside'
Both the BBC director and deputy director of news have been asked to "step aside" pending the outcome of an internal review into the handling of the Jimmy Savile claims. The move follows a report into a separate Newsnight broadcast on abuse claims, which said the BBC must resolve a "lack of clarity" in the chain of command.
Director And Deputy Director Of News At BBC 'Step Aside'
Both the BBC director and deputy director of news have been asked to "step aside" pending the outcome of an internal review into the handling of the Jimmy Savile claims. The move follows a report into a separate Newsnight broadcast on abuse claims, which said the BBC must resolve a "lack of clarity" in the chain of command.
30 June 2003
Academic apologises over 'distress' caused to Israeli student
A genetics professor from the University of Oxford has been forced to apologise after it was claimed that he rejected an Israeli student's application on the grounds that he dislikes Israeli government policy. The apology was issued after Professor Wilkie sent an email to Amit Duvshani on June 23.
Academic apologises over 'distress' caused to Israeli student
A genetics professor from the University of Oxford has been forced to apologise after it was claimed that he rejected an Israeli student's application on the grounds that he dislikes Israeli government policy. The apology was issued after Professor Wilkie sent an email to Amit Duvshani on June 23.
09 October 2006
BA officials quit over fuel price investigation
Two British Airways officials have resigned in the middle of an investigation into the alleged price-fixing of fuel surcharges. Commercial Director Martin George and head of communication Iain Burns have both been on leave of absence since the investigation - by the Office of Fair Trading and the US Justice Department - was launched.
BA officials quit over fuel price investigation
Two British Airways officials have resigned in the middle of an investigation into the alleged price-fixing of fuel surcharges. Commercial Director Martin George and head of communication Iain Burns have both been on leave of absence since the investigation - by the Office of Fair Trading and the US Justice Department - was launched.
14 June 2013
Alleged Home Office Document Warns Airline To Not Carry Former CIA Agent
An ex-CIA employee who leaked information on about secret US survelliance, will not be allowed to fly to the UK. According to reports, the government has warned airlines to not allow 29-year-old Edward Snowden board any flights bound fir the UK.
Alleged Home Office Document Warns Airline To Not Carry Former CIA Agent
An ex-CIA employee who leaked information on about secret US survelliance, will not be allowed to fly to the UK. According to reports, the government has warned airlines to not allow 29-year-old Edward Snowden board any flights bound fir the UK.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.