NSA director defends spying efforts

[Lee J <lee () riskbasedsecurity com>]

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/10/12/329087/nsa-director-defends-spying-efforts/

US National Security Agency Director Gen. Keith B. Alexander has once again
defended agency’s surveillance programs, saying he sees no effective
alternative to the bulk collection of telephone and other electronic
metadata from Americans.


American whistleblower Edward Snowden first revealed in June that the NSA
has two secret programs, which collect records about personal
communications in the name of national security.

General Alexander, who’s the public face of the programs now, has urged US
intelligence officials to explain more to the public about the NSA’s role
as controversy grows over disclosures of the secret missions.

“Given where we are and all the issues that are on the table, I do feel
it’s important to have a public, transparent discussion on cyber so that
the American people know what’s going on,” General Alexander said, as
quoted by the New York Times. “And in order to have that, they need to
understand the truth about what’s going on.”

The general, who is expected to retire as early as next year, has given a
number of speeches in recent weeks to counter a highly negative portrayal
of the agency’s spying efforts.

He insists that the main problem is a public misunderstanding about the
programs. “We, and that includes the press, have not informed the American
people in such a way that they can make a right decision here,” he said.

But he acknowledged that the programs are now facing the possibility of
Congressional restrictions, after revelations about its operations at home
and abroad, the Times said.

Head of the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Patrick J. Leahy, has
already drafted legislation to eliminate the NSA’s ability to
systematically obtain Americans’ calling records.

Representative Jim Sensenbrenner is also drafting a bill that would
significantly cut back on domestic surveillance programs, according to the
newspaper.

Snowden, who leaked the scandal, is now in Russia where he has been granted
temporary asylum. He is wanted in the US for espionage charges.

ARA/ARA

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