CIA is vital to national security

Mar 01, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,

I take this opportunity to congratulate the President of Guyana and the Minister of Home affairs for the wisdom and foresight in the setting up of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which is vital in the interest of National Security.

My only hope is that this body will not be used to persecute political opponents as was once practiced by the PNC Government in the 70s and early 80s.

I say this against the background that the Police Special Branch has outlived its usefulness. So is the current Army Criminal Intelligence Unit, which both lacked trained and experienced operatives.

Also most of Special Branch ranks are known to other members of the force rendering them impotent in the execution of their covert duties, as most of them operate out of police stations for reasons best known only to the powers that be.

As a former covert operative of the Government as of late 70’s and early 80’s and now in private practice, based on my 35 years’ experience I would recommend that:-

1) The CIA be headed by a knowledgeable, experienced administrator of intelligence and not by a hand-picked loyalist. I can identify a couple names that come to mind that will carry out that duty without fear or affection, malice or ill will – Henry Chester (former Deputy Commissioner of Police), Eddington Tappin (former Assistant Commissioner, Special Branch), Errol Vanooten (former Task Force Head (Ministry of Home Affairs), Dr. Aubrey Gill (Security Psychologist), Laurie Lewis (Former Commissioner of Police), MieLakeraj (Asst. Commissioner of Police) to name a few eligible candidates.

2) The head of this unit should report directly to the President and should be staffed by its own intelligence resources personnel. However, intelligence received from other agencies can be also processed and managed by the CIA.

3) The agency should avoid as much as possible not to recruit ex policemen or soldiers for covert field operations. They are more than likely to have their covers blown very early. Recruitment should be concentrated in direction of cane cutters, barbers, waitresses, prostitutes, market vendors, teachers, nurses and other public servants who can be trained and given part time contracts as field agents.

4) The CIA should have two sections:

A – Intelligence

b – Counter Intelligence

Both headed by knowledgeable intelligence analysts who can be appointed by Deputy Directors respectively.

5) Duties of Agency:

a. Gathering, receiving, processing and managing of intelligence in relation to:

b. Criminal activities, preservation of State secrets; surveillance of suspected terrorist and drug dealers; tapping of phones and bugging vehicles of suspects; performing presidential duties e.g. serving as advance party on planned presidential trips; any other in keeping with the Constitution of Guyana.

Robert Gates

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CIA is vital to national security

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