COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — CIA Director George Tenet acknowledged agents make mistakes but defended his agency Friday during a speech that followed weeks of criticism over the agency's handling of intelligence.
Tenet gave the commencement address at Texas A&M University, which is led by Robert M. Gates, the CIA director from 1991-93, and has a library named for former President Bush, who also once headed the CIA.
"The people I am privileged to lead play a key role in supporting our nation's work and preserving your freedom," Tenet told an audience of about 10,000.
"They are not perfect. None of us are," said Tenet, who has been the director for seven years under two administrations. "I can never promise complete, unbroken success, but I can promise you this: From American intelligence, there will be no failure of spirit; there will be no lapse in focus. There will be no shortage in valor."