Bush to Support National Intelligence Director

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) on Monday will endorse the creation of a national intelligence director and broadly back other intelligence reforms recommended by the commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the White House said.

But Bush would not locate the national intelligence director within the executive office of the presidency, as the commission had recommended, administration officials said. There have been bipartisan fears that putting the director in the White House could politicize the job.

Bush will also propose establishment of a national counter-terrorism center, and take temporary actions to enhance the authority of Acting CIA (news - web sites) Director John McLaughlin pending creation of the national intelligence director, administration officials said.

Bush is under political pressure in an election year to quickly respond to the commission's recommendations amid fears of another terrorist attack.

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