CIA closes most "black stations" in Europe

[alexz]

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The CIA has closed most of the "black stations" which were set up as spy companies in Europe following the Sept. 11 terror attacks, it was reported on Sunday.

After spending hundreds of millions of dollars setting up as many as 12 of the companies, the CIA shut down all but two after concluding they were ill-conceived and poorly positioned, the Los Angeles Times said.

The companies were set up as part of a constellation of "black stations" for a new generation of spies, but they apparently failed in the mission to gather intelligence on the CIA's principal targets: terrorist groups and unconventional weapons proliferation networks, said the paper.

The closures were a blow to two of the CIA's most pressing priorities after the 2001 terrorist attacks: expanding its overseas presence and changing the way it deploys spies, said the paper, quoting current and former agency officials.

The companies were the centerpiece of an ambitious plan to increase the number of case officers sent overseas under what is known as "nonofficial cover," meaning they would pose as employees of investment banks, consulting firms or other fictitious enterprises with no apparent ties to the U.S. government, according to the paper.

But the plan became the source of significant dispute within the agency and was plagued with problems, officials were quoted assaying.

The bogus companies were located far from Moslem enclaves in Europe and other targets. Their size raised concerns that one mistake would blow the cover of many agents, said the paper.

And because business travelers do not ordinarily come into contact with Al Qaida or other high-priority adversaries, the cover did not work, the paper said.

Officials said the experience reflected an ongoing struggle at the CIA to adapt to a new environment in espionage.

The agency has sought to regroup by designing covers that would provide pretexts for spies to get close to radical Moslem groups, nuclear equipment manufacturers and other high-priority targets, according to the paper.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7620354.htm

[BugHunt]

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The CIA has closed most of the "black stations" which were set up as spy companies in Europe following the Sept. 11 terror attacks, it was reported on Sunday.

After spending hundreds of millions of dollars setting up as many as 12 of the companies, the CIA shut down all but two after concluding they were ill-conceived and poorly positioned, the Los Angeles Times said.

The companies were set up as part of a constellation of "black stations" for a new generation of spies, but they apparently failed in the mission to gather intelligence on the CIA's principal targets: terrorist groups and unconventional weapons proliferation networks, said the paper.

The closures were a blow to two of the CIA's most pressing priorities after the 2001 terrorist attacks: expanding its overseas presence and changing the way it deploys spies, said the paper, quoting current and former agency officials.

The companies were the centerpiece of an ambitious plan to increase the number of case officers sent overseas under what is known as "nonofficial cover," meaning they would pose as employees of investment banks, consulting firms or other fictitious enterprises with no apparent ties to the U.S. government, according to the paper.

But the plan became the source of significant dispute within the agency and was plagued with problems, officials were quoted assaying.

The bogus companies were located far from Moslem enclaves in Europe and other targets. Their size raised concerns that one mistake would blow the cover of many agents, said the paper.

And because business travelers do not ordinarily come into contact with Al Qaida or other high-priority adversaries, the cover did not work, the paper said.

Officials said the experience reflected an ongoing struggle at the CIA to adapt to a new environment in espionage.

The agency has sought to regroup by designing covers that would provide pretexts for spies to get close to radical Moslem groups, nuclear equipment manufacturers and other high-priority targets, according to the paper.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7620354.htm


Subtext weve spent 7 years being expensively stupid.

But now a new boy (or girl) will be in the oval office - one who might ask questions - the parties over! :roll:

[Hollis]

Subtext weve spent 7 years being expensively stupid.

But now a new boy (or girl) will be in the oval office - one who might ask questions - the parties over! :roll:


Before you get excite, why don't you google (The CIA has closed most of the "black stations") this post and see who is all reporting it. I bet you would believe the National Enquirer too.

I think I would wait till it was reported from a more reliable source. Chinese news? Blogs, etc

[California Joe]

Black stations, black programs and black ops wouldn't be so named if they were constantly in the public eye being reported on by f*cktards. Sort of goes against the entire point of the exercise now doesn't it.

[Laconian]

Nothing to see here, move along. Move along.

[alexz]

Before you get excite, why don't you google (The CIA has closed most of the "black stations") this post and see who is all reporting it. I bet you would believe the National Enquirer too.

I think I would wait till it was reported from a more reliable source. Chinese news? Blogs, etc

It's the leading story in the LA times, but then again its not to far idealogically from the Chinese news.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-intel17feb17,0,3935942.story

[Hollis]

It's the leading story in the LA times, but then again its not to far idealogically from the Chinese news.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-intel17feb17,0,3935942.story


No kidding, it is comical how "Secrets" are know everywhere. I think journalism has gone by the wayside and was replaced by Tabloids.

[Andreas]

Threadstone will still be operative....

[JJC]

I think journalism has gone by the wayside and was replaced by Tabloids.

Hollis do you think I should continue pursuing the idea of getting an MA in journalism from Columbia or not? p-)

[Hollis]

Hollis do you think I should continue pursuing the idea of getting an MA in journalism from Columbia or not? p-)


LOL, I don't know who would hire you. Maybe fictional writer might be better.

Were is Edward R. Murrow now that we need him?

[JJC]

LOL, I don't know who would hire you. Maybe fictional writer might be better.

Were is Edward R. Murrow now that we need him?

I'm gonna go cry now. $50,000 investment and doors to NYT's will be open, serving coffee of course.

[n4292936]

Threadstone will still be operative....

TREADstone is operative, just not the one you're thinking of ;)

[Dispatcher]

Threadstone will still be operative....


TREADstone is operative, just not the one you're thinking of ;)


BLACKBRIAR. Don't you read memo's???

Sheesh.

[JJHH]

TREADstone is operative, just not the one you're thinking of ;)

Treadstone isn't a very popular subject here.

[dacanadianbomb]

Threadstone on MP.net .
You have to lol a bit, if not much , but a bit.

[Andreas]

I rest easier because I imagine that there actually are Jason Bourne`s and 007`s out there...

Dont burst my bubble

[BugHunt]

Before you get excite, why don't you google (The CIA has closed most of the "black stations") this post and see who is all reporting it. I bet you would believe the National Enquirer too.

I think I would wait till it was reported from a more reliable source. Chinese news? Blogs, etc


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-intel17feb17,0,3935942.story

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/cias-fake-companies-just-fade-to-black/2008/02/17/1203190652879.html


Permission to get excited? woot


Obviously that story is being managed to a degree - else the headlines wouldnt match so well.

Doesnt mean there isnt a large grain of truth in there.... it might even be one side of a intelligence agency annoyed about waste leaking to cause embarassment to another.


Or do you think this close down of bases and the ending of various "extrajudicial" interrogation methods isnt linked to say a democrat or McCain (with his "pussy" no torture stance) coming to office?


But hey i always was a scremaing liberal and never did like keeping all that "torture in your name" stuff out of public debate....

[dave81]

The chair is against the table. John has a long mustache.

[Hollis]

Bug, I am arguing whether there is merits or not. If there is merits where or where there are not merits. I am not very good at guessing.

Even from estabished media sources, many articles are poorly written and leave out important information. They still tend to leave a lot to the reader's imagination.


The CIA is generally shown as being incompetant, so obviously this article fits right into that view.

Does that make it true?

Funny how history repeats itself a great example is;

Not much different today than over 140 years ago;

"It appears we have appointed our worst generals to command forces,
and our most gifted and brilliant to edit newspapers.
In fact, I discovered by reading newspapers that these editor/geniuses
plainly saw all my strategic defects from the start,
yet failed to inform me until it was too late.
Accordingly, I am readily willing to yield my command
to these obviously superior intellects, and I will, in turn,
do my best for the Cause by writing editorials - after the fact."
- Robert E. Lee, 1863


See things have not changed.

[SBL]

"It appears we have appointed our worst generals to command forces,
and our most gifted and brilliant to edit newspapers.
In fact, I discovered by reading newspapers that these editor/geniuses
plainly saw all my strategic defects from the start,
yet failed to inform me until it was too late.
Accordingly, I am readily willing to yield my command
to these obviously superior intellects, and I will, in turn,
do my best for the Cause by writing editorials - after the fact."
- Robert E. Lee, 1863


See things have not changed.


What a great quote. I'm going to hang on to that one.