Senator calls for new intelligence agency

Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., this week called for the creation of an agency that would assume domestic intelligence-gathering duties about terrorists from the FBI.

In a speech before the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Edwards criticized the Bush administration's handling of intelligence gathering. He said that while he supports the creation of a Homeland Security Department, "the most urgent priority for our domestic defense today is not moving boxes on an organization chart. Our most urgent priority is stopping the enemy in our midst: identifying the terrorist cells within the U.S."

Edwards said the FBI has failed in that role because it lacks the right skills, strengths or staff to be a successful intelligence agency. He said a new agency, similar to a British outfit known as MI5, should be established to gather intelligence on domestic terrorist threats. Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey proposed that idea last month.