Maj. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, confirmed to NEWSWEEK that investigations of CIFA’s dealings with contractors and its handling of info on domestic protesters are continuing. Ryder also acknowledged that a division of new Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s office is reviewing the 2002 Defense Department document that constitutes CIFA’s charter, and that military services and other defense agencies would be consulted. A senior Defense official, anonymous when discussing sensitive material, said Pentagon intel outfits may use the charter renewal to try to weaken or even break up CIFA. The Pentagon spokesman said only that CIFA “is not seeking to expand its authorities/activities” and that the agency’s fate should be decided by the end of this year.
