WASHINGTON - CIA Director Michael Hayden has ordered an internal review of his inspector general, who has issued a series of highly critical reports on the agency's conduct before and after the Sept. 11 attacks, according to published reports.
The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times said the highly unusual move has raised concerns that Hayden is trying to squelch the work of Inspector General John Helgerson, who has criticized senior figures including former Director George Tenet and officers involved in the agency's detention of terrorist suspects. The newspapers cited unidentified anonymous officials.
The CIA sought to play down the newspapers' characterizations of the review. In a statement Thursday night, a CIA spokesman said Hayden firmly believes in the work of the Office of the Inspector General.
"Director Hayden ... has, since taking the helm at CIA, accepted the vast majority of its findings. His only goal is to help this office, like any office at the agency, do its vital work even better," CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said. "That's why he asked a seasoned observer like Bob Deitz to take a look at the Office of Inspector General and, if need be, suggest specific improvements for consideration by the unit itself"....
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