Bush to Visit NSA Spy Center Next Week

Bush to Visit NSA Spy Center Next Week


Friday January 20, 2006 3:47 PM

By DEB RIECHMANN

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration is opening a campaign to push back against criticism of its domestic spying program, ahead of congressional hearings into whether President Bush has the legal authority to eavesdrop on Americans.

President Bush will visit the ultra-secret National Security Agency on Wednesday, underscoring his claim that he has the constitutional authority to let intelligence officials listen in on international phone calls of Americans with suspected ties to terrorists.

``We are stepping up our efforts to educate the American people,'' White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

``This is a critical tool that helps us save lives and prevent attacks,'' he said. ``It is limited and targeted to al-Qaida communications, with the focus being on detection and prevention.''

The Bush administration presented its most detailed defense of warrantless eavesdropping on Thursday in a 42-page Justice Department legal dossier sent to congressional leaders.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said the analysis was needed to counter critics of the program and show the public that ``there's another side to this debate.''

The administration argues that Bush has the authority to order the warrantless wiretapping under the Constitution and the post-Sept. 11 congressional resolution granting him broad power to fight terrorism.

Other key members of the administration will also make the case for the NSA program in appearences next week.

On Monday, deputy national intelligence director Mike Hayden, who headed the National Security Agency when the program began in October 2001, will speak on the issue a the National Press Club.

On Tuesday, Gonzales is to deliver a speech on the program in Washington.

Gonzales plans to testify publicly about the secret program at a Senate hearing set to begin Feb. 6.

Gonzales said he reached an agreement with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to answer questions about the legal basis - but not the operations - of the NSA's warrantless eavesdropping on telephone conversations between suspected terrorists and people in the United States.

Vice President Dick Cheney defended the program Thursday in a speech to the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank.

Cheney stressed that the program was limited and conducted in a way that safeguarded civil liberties.

``A spirit of debate is now under way, and our message to the American people is clear and straightforward: These actions are within the president's authority and responsibility under the Constitution and laws, and these actions are vital to our security.''