On Sun, 21 Jan 1996, John Young wrote: [...]
In a related matter, on Friday C-SPAN 2 aired several hours of comments and proposals by intel experts before the US Commission on Intelligence Reform. Mephistophelean former NSA head Admiral Bobby Ray Inman proposed among other brain-wavers to reorganize the thirteen or so bloated, bumbling, cat-fighting intelligence agencies:
[...]
Former Ambassador to China Tilley, a 25-year veteran of CIA operations, emphasized the importance of continuing Non Official Cover operations, which, he said, are invaluable very-long term penetrations. He cited those he set up in China as COS and then revisited fifteen years later as ambassador -- still ferreting deepest of demon red-commie secrets, he black-comicly glowered to the glazed-eyes. NOC, while very expensive, is crucial, he, too, parroted.
[...] My eyes were glazing over but I think I heard him say that it was a nice intelligence service practice to pass along useful info to friendly businessmen in exchange for their help. So there you have confirmation of at least some "economic intelligence" activity. bd