CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

Through January 1997

The Failure of Anthony Lake's Nomination as DCI

On 17 March 1997, William Anthony Kirsopp Lake withdrew his nomination to be Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). The materials here track the process chronologically from the nomination on 5 December 1996 to Lake's withdrawal.

This subject matter has been placed with CIA-related materials not because the failure of Lake's nomination had anything to do with the CIA, but in the belief that researchers might look for the subject under the CIA rubric.

Materials presented chronologically.

[Lake, Anthony.] "Excerpts from the Announcement on the Cabinet." New York Times, 6 Dec, 1996, A14.

"Following are excerpts from the news conference [on 5 December 1996] at which President Clinton introduced new Cabinet appointees, as transcribed by the Federal Document Clearing House....

"Anthony Lake: ... Over the last four years I have launched my mornings and I have finished my evenings with the briefs and the analyses of the intelligence community. And I firmly believe in the post-cold war world the role of the C.I.A. is more important than ever in defending Americans against the threats of terrorism and the proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction, in explaining clearly the activities of governments in an ever more complicated world, and in giving the President the unvarnished facts on which he can base wise decisions in a time of change and promise."

Myers, Steven Lee. "Experienced Player and Policy Expert: Anthony Lake." New York Times, 6 Dec. 1996, A16 (N).

The DCI-designate began his government service with the State Department in 1962, but resigned in 1970 to protest the invasion of Cambodia. He later returned in the Carter administration to serve as director of the Office of Policy Planning. He moves to the CIA after having served four years as Clinton's National Security Adviser.

New York Times. "[Editorial:] Cabinet Renewal." 6 Dec. 1996, A20 (N).

"Mr. Lake, a thoughtful man who has served ably in coordinating Administration security policies, may lack the fire and fortitude to reshape the recalcitrant intelligence agency. He will be the fifth C.I.A. boss in a little over five years, hardly an effective way to manage the agency."

Lewis, Neil A. "Key Senator Has 'Doubts' on Candidate for C.I.A. Job." New York Times, 12 Dec. 1996, A18 (N).

At a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on 11 December, the departing committee chairman, Sen. Arlen Spector, "was forceful and persistent in expressing his distaste for Mr. Lake's being chosen" for the position of Director of Central Intelligence. "I am especially concerned about Mr. Lake's role in the issue of giving the green light for the Iranians to arm Bosnia," the senator stated.

Towell, Pat. "Clinton's Pick of Lake for CIA Raises Senate GOP Hackles." Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report, 21 Dec. 1996, 3442.

Pincus, Walter, and Thomas W. Lippman. "Lake's New Mission: The CIA May Be Getting the Kind of Director It's Always Wanted -- Someone Who Can Keep a Secret." Washington Post National Weekly Edition, 16-22 Dec. 1996, 35.

Walcott, John. "Mission Impossible? Anthony Lake Will Be Taking on a Demoralized, Recalcitrant CIA." Washington Post National Weekly Edition, 16-22 Dec. 1996, 23.

The title and subtitle give a clear impression of the thrust of this article; the focus is less on Lake than on what the writer perceives to be problems with the clandestine service.

Fein, Bruce E. "Trivializing the CIA." World Intelligence Review 16, no. 1 (Jan./Feb. 1997): 2.

"[Anthony] Lake's nomination ... corroborates the trivialization of the CIA within the national security establishment. President Clinton treats the DCI post as no different than other high-level offices filled to accommodate his political needs."

Pincus, Walter. "Lake Gets Pre-Confirmation Hearing Grilling on Spies." Washington Post, 10 Jan. 1997, A19.

Robbins, Carla Anne. "CIA Nominee Faces Heat from Senate Cold Warriors." Wall Street Journal, 17 Jan. 1997, A14.

Weiner, Tim. "Republicans Criticize C.I.A. Nominee Over Iranian Arms Deal." New York Times, 28 Jan. 1997, A8 (N).

Lake draws flak from House Republicans for his execution, as national security adviser, "of a secret policy to stand silent as Iran shipped arms to Bosnian Muslims in 1994."

Gates, Robert M. "The Case for Confirming Anthony Lake." Wall Street Journal, 29 Jan. 1997, A10.

Stout, David. "Hearings on Lake's Appointment Delayed." New York Times, 31 Jan. 1997, A20.

Forward to Lake Feb.-Mar. 1997

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