White House issues order to resolve friction between CIA and National Intelligence directors

                                                                                                                                               Dita Alangkara / AP

Right - Director of Central Intelligence Agency, Leon Panetta
                                                                                            Photo: Susan Walsh / AP | Source: New York Times

White House – U.S. officials have reported the White House issued a classified order to resolve mounting frictions between Dennis Blair, the director of National Intelligence, and CIA director, Leon Panetta over issues including how the agencies conduct covert operations.

Officials said the order was issued to defuse tension between Blair and Panetta who have disagreed in recent months over the CIA’s role in Afghanistan.

Blair voiced frustration that the CIA had given too little attention to supporting U.S. efforts to strengthen the existing government in Afghanistan and reduce the power of Taliban insurgents. Panetta has been fighting to preserve the CIA's direct line to the White House, a relationship the agency considers crucial to its unique status in the spy community.

U.S. officials said the disputes became so heated that Blair refused to sign an agreement written by the White House last month. However Panetta was so pleased with the White House document, he signed it almost immediately.

It was Blair's protest that forced the issue of the order that was signed by National Security Advisor James L. Jones who maintains the CIA's status as the nation's lead spy service on covert missions, rejecting an attempt by Blair to assert more control.  The document also includes language detailing the agency's obligation to work closely with Blair on sensitive operations.

A U.S. official familiar with the order said it keeps "a direct chain of communication" between the White House and the CIA on covert action but that Blair is to be "kept informed of covert actions and, as the president's principal foreign intelligence advisor, can be asked to provide his views on them."

CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said Panetta believes the White House memo "brings much-needed clarity to intelligence roles and responsibilities."

Gimigliano said Panetta had instructed the agency to "move forward" with the office of the director of national intelligence "as one team."