In this era of global tensions. divided loyalties and increasing military vulnerability. an effective intelligence operation is vital to America s foreign policies and defense strategies This has been emphasized from two directions in Washrngtr-n recently William J Casey new director of the Central Intelligence Agency tCIAi was quoted by Washington Report. publication of the United States Chamber of Commerce. as appealing for “both public support and the full cooperation of Congress” And Rep Eldon Rudd. RAriz reintroduced in the 97th Congress an Ulntelligence Agents Protection Act” to protect the identities of those who serve in sensitive intelligence positions The CIA. established to gather intelligence information abroad and report to the President and his National Security Council. was created in 1947 replacing the wartime Office of Strategic Services tl942(Sl. “Our foreign policies and defense strategies can never be better for longer than our intelligence capabilities.” said Casey His remarks were excerpted by Washington Report from the new CIA chiefs statement to the ‘Senate Select Committee on Intelligence at the recent confirmation for him Apparently alluding to hearings in the mid-70s on alleged CIA shortcomings. Casey said that while intelligence agents cannot receive public recognition for particular tasks well done. they rightfully expect the support of the govemment they serve “All too often. their ‘failures’ are widely publicized. but their successes. by their very nature. are hidden ” Generally there is poor public perception and understanding of the value of the American intelligence community to the security of the Free World. Casey stated. The CIA in particular. he said suffers from sell-doubt and this needs to be changed The hearings in the 70s grew out of criticism ofthe CIA mostly for involvements in the Cuba invasion fiasco. a military operation in Laos. Chilean internal affairs. and the Pentagon Papers case Rudd. in a statement in the Congressional Record. said U.S. intelligence gathering capability has been Hincreasingly threatened” by disclosure of the identities of undercover agents by “antiintelligence ‘ publications Shortly after a disclosure in Greece. Richard S Welch station Chief for CIA in Athens. was assassinated In another example cited by Rudd the published identification in 1980 of 15 CIA agents in Jamaica was followed by a machinegun attack on the home of the agency chief The Intelligence Agents Protection Act” would prohibit disclosure of information identifying an agent to an unauthorized person. with extremely stringent penalties for violation. Casey is right when he says we need to build public trust and confidence iii our intelligence comrhunity. The same might be said for the Justice De artrhent including the FBFand investigative and enforcement agencies at all levels And Rudd is right. that our agents in sensitive intelligence positions are entitled to legal safeguards against unauthorized identification it makes sense that we support in every practica le waylhe agencieson which we depend for security and protection at the same time expecting high level performance and ful respect for the limits off the laws under which they operate