|
Attacks on U.S. Soil
With R. James Woolsey
Former director, Central Intelligence Agency
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001; 2 p.m. EDT
Audio Special
Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, in a horrific series of events two hijacked planes hit and destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center, one plane crashed into the Pentagon and another in Somerset County, Pa. Thousands are presumed dead or injured as emergency services and relief workers continue to make sense of the chaotic scenes. The FBI and authorities across the country continue to track down those responsible for the crimes.
R. James Woolsey, who served as director of Central Intelligence for the CIA from 1993-95, took questions on the U.S. intelligence community and fighting terrorism on Thursday, Sept. 13. Woolsey participated in an audio interview.
Woolsey was ambassador to the negotiation on conventional armed forces in Europe from 1989-91. An expert on foreign affairs, defense, energy and intelligence, he was a delegate at large to the U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Talks and Nuclear and Space Arms Talks from 1983-86. He was also Under Secretary of the Navy and advised the U.S. delegation to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. Since leaving government service, Woolsey has been a partner at the law firm of Shea & Gardner in Washington, D.C., where he has practiced for 17 years. He also writes and speaks about foreign affairs and intelligence for organizations including the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations.
The audio interview follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests
and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Real Audio: Woolsey interview in its entirety
washingtonpost.com: The Central Intelligence Agency was created by charter after the existing U.S. intelligence community was caught off guard by Pearl Harbor. Now, 60 years later, we're looking at ourselves in the same situation. What steps do you think are likely to be advocated in the future? Will a new agency or an overhaul of the existing intelligence community be the most likely result?
R. James Woolsey:
Real Audio: Click here to hear the answer.
More real Audio.
Washington, D.C.: What's your assessment of the CIA's current capabilities to gather intelligence on terrorist cells or factions? How does the agency decide what to concentrate on or where to focus its efforts?
R. James Woolsey: Real Audio.
Washington, D.C.: What are the CIA's capabilities to analyze communications in Arabic?
R. James Woolsey: Real Audio.
Miami, Fla.: In your opinion, is it more important to retaliate quickly (sending the message that we will not stand of this) or to spend more time planning on a strategic attack (and possibly look bad in the eyes of the media/public)?
R. James Woolsey: Real Audio.
Washington, D.C.: Given this seemingly huge intelligence failure, should the DCI be replaced, and if so, who are some candidates? -- and what steps might the intelligence community now take in this war?
R. James Woolsey: Real Audio.
Farragut North, Washington, D.C.: Is there really any military or intelligence solution to these crimes? As we all know, there can be no 100 percent defense against this type of mass murder. What we need is a political solution (if it is not too late) that at the minimum addresses the suffering of the Palestinian people.
R. James Woolsey: Real Audio.
washingtonpost.com: Given the idea that we don't know exactly who we're looking for or who's responsible, do you think it's premature to be talking about declaring war on terrorism?
R. James Woolsey: Real Audio.
Washington, D.C.: What's next? What should we be looking for? What should the intelligence community be doing? What should American military and foreign policy do to start to respond to the incidents on Tuesday?
R. James Woolsey: Real Audio.
Thanks to everyone who joined us.
| |
© Copyright 2002 The Washington Post Company | 
