Intelligence chief: U.S. safer since 9/11 (Negroponte)

[sabra]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/02/negroponte/

Intelligence chief: U.S. safer since 9/11
Negroponte rejects criticism that reform is moving too slowly

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The man overseeing U.S. intelligence operations says the country is safer than it was at the time of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In his first TV interview since taking the newly established post of director of national intelligence in April, John Negroponte rejected complaints that efforts to reform the U.S. intelligence system have been too slow and hampered by bureaucratic hassles. He also said information-sharing among disparate agencies has improved. (View an organizational chart of the restructured intelligence community)

"I certainly believe America is safer than it was at 9/11. I believe from an intelligence point of view that our intelligence effort is better integrated today than it was previously. I think we are doing a good job at bringing together foreign, domestic and military intelligence," Negroponte told CNN.

The United States is "on the offensive against al Qaeda and its affiliates throughout the world," he said.