Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
July 31, 2008

New Executive Order to Overhaul US Intelligence Powers 
-------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1D7A4A8:A6F02AD83191E160144A26C1EEF69CB798CBE7246176B735&
 
Officials say new measure aims to promote greater exchange of
information among agencies that have been reluctant to share
intelligence 
President Bush making statement on Iraq on Colonnade of White House, 31
Jul 2008U.S. President George Bush has signed an executive order
revising rules for intelligence agencies and giving more power to the
national intelligence director.The order gives the director who oversees
U.S. intelligence agencies, Mike McConnell, new authority over any
intelligence information that pertains to more than one agency. The
responsibility previously was handled by the Central Intelligence
Agency.The order empowers McConnell to make acquisitions, such as new
satellites, and other funding decisions. It also lays out the
responsibilities of the country's 16 intelligence agencies. A statement
from the White House spokeswoman Dana Perino Thursday says the measures
direct the intelligence community to gather timely and accurate
information with special emphasis on international terrorism and the
spread of weapons of mass destruction.The order updates a nearly
30-year-old presidential order t!
 o reflect changes made in intelligence agencies after the September 11,
2001, terrorist attacks.It is an effort to promote a greater exchange of
information among agencies that have been reluctant to share
intelligence.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


.