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22-01-09 Obama's top intelligence nominee pledges new approach

Dennis Blair,the retired admiral who is President Obama's choice as the nation's top intelligence official,pledged in testimony to be delivered on Thursday that he would require counterterrorism programs to operate "in a manner consistent with our nation's values,consistent with our Constitution and consistent with the rule of law."Blair appeared to drawing a sharp contrast with Bush administration policies.He indirectly criticized the eavesdropping without warrants by the National Security Agency and harsh interrogation methods used by the Central Intelligence Agency during the Bush presidency."The intelligence agencies of the United States must respect the privacy and civil liberties of the American people,and they must adhere to the rule of law," Blair said in testimony prepared for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee,scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday.Addressing complaints that the intelligence agencies have evaded congressional oversight and skirted the law,Blair promised a different approach."I do not and will not support any surveillance activities that circumvent established processes for their lawful authorization," he said in the testimony."I believe in the importance of independent monitoring,including by Congress,to prevent abuses and protect civil liberties."