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CIA Watchdog to Get Watchdog
As expected, the CIA announced the results of its probe of the CIA's inspector general John Helgerson, who has raised hackles in the agency for his investigations into counterterrorism policy and detainee interrogations. Among the fixes:
[CIA Director Michael] Hayden said Helgerson has appointed an ombudsman to represent the interests of CIA officers under IG investigation. He agreed to make a "greater effort" to include the views of those officers in his final reports, and to allow officers to review draft reports. He also agreed to help officers find attorneys with security clearances to represent them if they choose. Officers will be told when interviews are being recorded, and investigations will be conducted more swiftly.Finally, Helgerson agreed to an internal watchdog of his own, a "quality-control manager" who will ensure that all exculpatory and mitigating information about the subjects of IG investigations is included in final reports.
Notes the AP, "The CIA has declined to specify why the IG review was undertaken. The results suggest CIA officers were concerned there was a presumption of guilt and they were not treated fairly by Helgerson's team of investigators."
We'll keep you updated as to whether the watchdog's watchdog will get a watchdog.
Comments (20)
test
February 1, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is so frustrating. Sometimes "one" password works. Sometimes the very same one does not work, or another works, or nothing works!!!
Even if I can type in a box, sometimes nothing happens!
February 1, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Man, you just know that "ombudsman" is going to be one hell of a piece of work. I can't wait to read his/her resume.
February 1, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
test comment
February 1, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
HELP! Tried to post a comment last nite. Name did not work/password did not work. I guess I'm a guest? What do I do now?
amelhop@ameritech.net
February 1, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
ombudsman test...
February 1, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually the new system will allow people to follow intelligent discussions and ignore those who disrupt.
I was a bit disappointed I missed last nights comments, as there is often very good one-liners.
There is nothing wrong with an ombudsman, they are at newspapers where 'opinion' and policy can be just a matter of time or a tipping point, and their job as an ombudsman is to remind people where boundaries are in a nuetral fashion, binding arbitration? No..
February 1, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is very little to help any one of us. We might schedule a support group... if there were a way to meet.
TheraP
February 1, 2008 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you can find my blog, I have posted a set of instructions that might be helpful for people seeking a password to log in.
February 1, 2008 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad the CIA has publicly discussed these solutions. The issue going forward: Have these "solutions" really solved a real problem; and, going forward, do these solutions address the real concerns.
I would hope Congress secure some independent comments from CIA agents, current and formerly assigned, on whether these proposed solutions would work; or whether they views this as something that will be a problem. Perhaps these questions may be of interest:
- Is the proposed plan working as intended?
- What is the CIA's plan to evaluate this solution?
- Who has fire/hire authority of the ombudsman; and what ethics/professional standards will they be expected to meet?
- If an atty is assigned as ombudsman, what method will be used to ensure the DC Atty Disciplinary Board can review work product samples to ensure compliance with atty ethics?
- If an auditor or person from another professional association is assigned, what will be done to ensure the ombudsman's conduct is fully meeting that industry's professional standards of conduct; with reporting of alleged violations to the appropriate industry oversight?
- How are the proposed policies of the ombudsman getting coordinated with the President's Intelligence Oversight Board; will the CFR be updated to reflect oversight issues; how will data be retained per the CFR for outside review and FOIA requests? [See Executive Order 12334 here ].
- How will concerns related to EO 12334 be overseen by Congress, and through the FOIA process?
- When will the ombudsman's policies be finalized; and when will the public have an opportunity to comment on the proposed policies the ombudsman will use; what method will the public have to ensure the ombudsman's actions/sample work products are meeting the intent, and that the solutions are getting resolved to the CIA employees satisfaction?
- Are there concerns this issue with the CIA IG has been a distraction from something else; if so, what?
- How do the various solutions the CIA IG has proposed square with management issues-solutions within DOJ: Is there something going on in the CIA that warrants a different approach; or is the CIA being asked to do something in response to a problem that hasn't been addressed in other Departments under the President?
- Will the ombudsman have an independent website, complete with ability for CIA personnel to provide comments, with public comments by the ombudsman?
- How will summary issues be provided to the Senate intelligence Committee for review and feedback?
- What attestation standard will the CIA provide when forwarding oversight results to Congress: Under perjury; or merely advisory without any assurances to Congress?
- How will the planned solutions get reviewed on a periodic basis by the various intelligence schools houses: For purposes of academic analysis, study, and review for recommendations?
- How as the Association of Inspector General's viewed the solution; GAO comments on the approach; Is the CIA solving a real problem; or have GAO's previous recommendations been ignored?
February 1, 2008 8:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Set of Instructions. TheraP's Blog. Can't link, but search, if you have energy, at the Cafe. How to get your password. Maybe I can copy here:
1. Look for a place that says: "lost my password"
2. Click on that, give info asked and wait for email.
3. Click on link in email.
4. At place to sign in with "string of nonsense" - first save the nonsense for later! Then sign in.
5. You'll end up at a place where you can change the password. You can try that if you want or stick with the nonsense for now. (If you change the password, you'll get another email with another link to click on. Be sure you do that or the change doesn't take effect... if it even can take effect.)
6. You may need to keep signing in over and over.
7. The top of the page may look like you're signed in, but the comment box may still ask you to sign in.
8. Even if you're signed in at top and bottom, the system may lose your comment.
9. Have a nice glass of wine. And relax. Know you are not alone!!!!
February 1, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Those are some salient questions, Guest, but I'm curious as to why you think they will ever be posed, and even more so as to why you think they would ever actually be answered.
I don't mean to sound like a prick but I think you're thinking with a pre-Bush mindset. This new "ombudsman" will bear no relation to the term as we know it. The post is a transparent firewall, and the first person appointed to maintain it will have an indefensible resume.
This is the new normal, people.
February 1, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chisholm,
The questions have been posed. If they're not answered, the Congress is not required to provide funding. Note, the questions were intended for discussion on TPMM; and the audience of the Congress does include formerly assigned CIA agents. If the CIA would like to provide "the other view" they are free to provide their witnesses. The fact that you have responded to the questions defeats your argument: "I'm curious as to why you think they will ever be posed". Perhaps you ask we believe in fantasy: That your response to the questions wasn't to the questions; and the questions you are responding to were never posed. Where one thinketh, a nation is saved.
As to your claims that the questions are from the wrong era, perhaps you've missed the boat: DOJ PA just banned TPM because TPM is on the right boat, and DOJ PA is on a sinking ship in troubled waters. The US government is on the wrong side of the waves of change.
You also claim the "new" ombudsman will bear "no relation" to anything. Indeed, you are correct: This is unprecedented for the CIA; yet, without knowing the CIA's policies, you're on unstable ground to argue what the ombudsman will or will not do. It's unclear. Hardly a basis to assert anything. Thus, prudence asks for oversight, questions, and dialog. Enough of generalities:
"This new "ombudsman" will bear no relation to the term as we know it. -- How, without any policy memoranda from CIA and no answers are you able to assert this? You can't.
"The post is a transparent firewall, and the first person appointed to maintain it will have an indefensible resume." Again, without understanding "the problem" the CIA IG was hoping to solve with this position, we're not in a position to assert anything about the qualifications of the person; that they will be relevant; or that there will be a reasonable effort to ensure the ombudsman is fully supported. You have no idea, without reviewing the problem or CIA policy on the ombudsman to know whether the ombudsman will be a firewall, smokescreen, red herring, or a rubber stamp. To assert they "will" have an relevant resumee asks us to believe you know the CIA will do something it has shown itself incapable: Conducting oversight of itself; and ensuring the personnel assigned are fully supported to lawfully succeed within all relevant legal constraints. CIA has a simple problem of providing straight answers to why alleged war crimes evidence on a tape was destroyed; to suggest they'll have a better system in place to fact check resumees against to-be-determined policies ask we believe in miracles. sadly, this President does not deliver miracles, but feeds the snakes of tyranny, while Congress nibbles fruit fit for lapdogs.
"This is the new normal, people. No, the "new normal" is for TPMM readers and commenters to celebrate your new victory: Congress is listening to your dialog, and the DOJ-CIA are reacting. Whether the Congress and DoJ-CIA do their jobs or defend the Constitution appears to be up to the shifting winds, that's not new, but for them, "normal." Yet, they do not have a perpetual grant of unsupervised power. TPMM has woken them up: Finite powers can be revoked.
Overall, your arguments fail, as does the President's leadership, and the CIA's respect for the rule of law under Geneva. This is another sign of impending doom for those allegedly complicit with these war crimes: It is justice when the oath of office in re Geneva as Supreme Law is fully asserted against the CIA, DoJ, and Members of Congress.
CIA has the chance to provide their "opposing view" to witnesses before Congress providing inputs. No answers, no confidence in the proposed solution. Problem is still with Hayden, not the public.
February 2, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
This, "who will ensure that all exculpatory and mitigating information about the subjects of IG investigations is included in final reports." says a lot, namely "we want at least one coat of whitewash on whatever reports you write".
Or as the Clash sang "break your back to earn your pay and don't forget to grovel'.
February 1, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
test
February 3, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ok. TheraP here. This is the only place on the entire site where I can post!
Why is that?
Everywhere except The Muck tells me "to register" so I can post.
I can't log out.
I can't log in.
I can't blog.
On Election Central, it tells me the comment is being held for approval.
At the Cafe or anyone's blog... nothing happens. But I'm told to register.
In spite of not being able to post... it greets me by name. It says "Hi TheraP" no matter what the message is... I'm stuck in an endless loop.
TheraP
February 3, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
TheraP again.
I even tried to register with a different "name" but it refused to let me do that either!
Not sure how I even arrived a such a window... but it was not a window of "opportunity" for me.
TheraP
February 3, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Andrew suggested I try deleting all tpm cookies. If this posts under my TheraP name, try it yourself!
February 3, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
My cookies are now toast.
Maybe this will now work?
February 3, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the police police the people, who then polices the something something something...I think they should go through these peoples' investments before they can get ANY kind of public job, including the CIA. If you've read the news at all the last 6-7 years, then you could be excused for making the assumption that Something Is Rotten In Denmark. Is incompetence the same as dishonesty, do they amount to one and the same, what's REALLY going on here, and has anyone seen my 900 billion dollars? It was just here...full-bore balls-out audit of the whole 9 yards, top-to-bottom, left-to-right, up, down, 8 ways from zero. Find out What's Really Going On, here. Do that WEEKLY.
February 4, 2008 12:04 AM | Reply | Permalink