McConnell Vows to Keep Panel in Loop

National Intelligence Director-designate, retired Vice Adm. Michael McConnell testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) (Dennis Cook - AP)

WASHINGTON -- Retired Vice Adm. Mike McConnell told skeptical senators Thursday that he would keep them fully informed of undercover activities if he is confirmed as director of national intelligence.

He also said he did not support use of private contractors to interrogate detainees.

With a resume including nearly four decades of work in the intelligence community, President Bush's choice to be the nation's spy chief appeared headed for easy approval to become the second director of the newly established office.

Testifying before the Senate intelligence committee, McConnell was peppered with questions about the administration's perceived reluctance to share intelligence material with members of Congress and about whether the multiheaded spy network can be managed successfully by a director of national intelligence.

"It is no secret that Vice Chairman (Kit) Bond and I have not been happy in the past with decisions by the administration to restrict access to required information by our members and staff," said committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

In responding to document requests, "the intelligence community claims we should not be looking over its shoulder," said Sen. Bond, R-Mo.

"I understand and am fully supportive of the role of the Congress in your oversight responsibilities," said McConnell, who would oversee 16 spy agencies and coordinate with the president on intelligence matters.

Senators also asked if the office McConnell would head, created in 2004 legislation, was up to the task of coordinating national intelligence. It does not oversee some Defense Department intelligence operations and does not have direct authority over some collection components of the intelligence community.

"The challenge you will face, if confirmed, will be to figure out if we got it right," Rockefeller said.

McConnell said he had already spoken to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the need to clearly delineate the authority of the director of national intelligence.

McConnell, 63, was first commissioned as a Navy line officer in 1967 and served in Vietnam. He gained renown as an intelligence briefer who could skillfully present complex national security matters to military leaders and policymakers.

From 1990 to 1992, covering the first Gulf War, he was intelligence officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving then Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell. From 1992 to 1996, he headed the National Security Agency, the world's largest codebreaking and eavesdropping agency.