THE US: An attempt to reform America's spy agencies has become a major test of the authority of President Bush, who is facing open defiance from the Republican-controlled Congress and from the Pentagon over a new intelligence bill he supports, writes Conor O'Clery, North America Editor
Gen Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged yesterday that he had lobbied against a key provision of the bill - that a new intelligence director should have control of the Pentagon's current share of the estimated $80 billion intelligence budget.
Beside the Defence Secretary, Mr Donald Rumsfeld, at a Pentagon press conference yesterday, the general said nothing had changed since he wrote a letter to Congress urging it to let the Pentagon keep much of its current control over intelligence matters.
Mr Rumsfeld indignantly denied reports that he had lobbied against the legislation and said he supported the president's position, but he claimed the bill was still being negotiated.
This was not the understanding of the Senate and House when a vote of approval seemed certain on Saturday after months of wrangling over a major reform bill. The bill was withdrawn at the last minute before recess.
The opposition of Mr Rumsfeld and Gen Myers represents an extraordinary challenge to Mr Bush who lobbied Congress members last week to pass the bill in its present form.
The House Armed Services Committee chairman, Mr Duncan Hunter, said the changes could compromise the flow of information to troops on the battlefield. Because of his opposition House leaders withdrew the bill, which has the backing of the Democrats, most Republicans, the 9/11 commission and the 9/11 families.
Congress has gone into recess until January but may resume for two days in early December if a resolution seems possible. Otherwise the failure to enact a new intelligence bill in the wake of the 9/11 attacks will prove to be a major victory for the Pentagon.