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Russia intensifies spying on U.S. at nearly Cold War-levels, intelligence chief says

19 September 2007 10:14 (UTC +04:00)

China and Russia are spying on the United States nearly as much as they did during the Cold War, according to the top U.S. intelligence official.
Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, says in testimony prepared for a Tuesday congressional hearing that a law passed last month expanding the U.S. governmentâ€™s eavesdropping power is needed to protect not just against terrorists but also against more traditional potential adversaries, such as those two Cold War foes.
â€œChina and Russiaâ€™s foreign intelligence services are among the most aggressive in collecting against sensitive and protected U.S. systems, facilities and development projects, and their efforts are approaching Cold War levels,â€ McConnell says in his testimony. â€œForeign intelligence information concerning the plans, activities and intentions of foreign powers and their agents is critical to protect the nation and preserve our security.â€
The new law will also enable the intelligence agencies to identify â€œsleeper cellsâ€ of terrorists in the United States, according to McConnellâ€™s statement to the House Judiciary Committee.
Congress last month hastily adopted the Protect America Act just before it went on summer vacation, propelled by McConnellâ€™s warnings of a need to close a dangerous gap in U.S. intelligence law.
Some lawmakers are now having second thoughts as the complicated law -- intended to make it easier for the government to intercept foreign calls and e-mails -- has come under attack by civil liberties and privacy advocates who contend it gives the government broader powers than intended./APA/