Department of State, International Information Programs, U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, March 2001

Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet

Biography

Confirmed by voice vote in the Senate and sworn in as Director of Central Intelligence on July 11, 1997. Asked by President George W. Bush on January 16 to remain in his job, making him the first Director of Central Intelligence in 32 years to remain after the U.S. presidency has switched political parties.

Government policy experience: Director of Central Intelligence (1997-present); Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (1995-1997); special assistant to the president and senior director for intelligence programs, National Security Council (1993-1995); director, oversight of arms control negotiations between the Soviet Union and the United States, then staff director, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (1986-1993); legislative assistant and legislative director, Senator John Heinz (1982-1985)

Education: B.S., Georgetown University School of Foreign Service; M.A., School of International Affairs, Columbia University (1978).

Tenet on Intelligence: The role of strategic intelligence "is to work against those who work against America's safety and security. To capture the secrets that they -- nations, organizations, even individuals -- most want to hide. To dig out and discover their plans and intentions. In an international environment like ours -- where national strength is measured not just in military hardware but in information -- we exist to provide our country with a decisive advantage."

Background: As Director of Central Intelligence, Tenet heads the Intelligence Community (all foreign intelligence agencies of the United States) and directs the Central Intelligence Agency. While serving as Senior Director for Intelligence Programs at the National Security Council, he coordinated Presidential Decision Directives on "Intelligence Priorities," "Security Policy Coordination," "U.S. Counterintelligence Effectiveness," and "U.S. Policy on Remote Sensing Space Capabilities." He also was responsible for coordinating all interagency activities concerning covert action. Before serving on the NSC, Tenet served on President Clinton's national security transition team and coordinated the evaluation of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Publication: "The Ability of U.S. Intelligence to Monitor the Intermediate Nuclear Force Treaty"