The intelligence agency rejected charges that it possessed, but failed to disseminate, information about Nigerian suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab that might have led to his being placed on a no-fly list.
"We learned of Abdulmutallab in November, when his father came to the US embassy in Nigeria and sought help in finding him. We did not have his name before then," said CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano.
"Also in November, we worked with the embassy to ensure he was in the government's terrorist database -- including mention of his possible extremist connections in Yemen," the CIA spokesman said.
"We also forwarded key biographical information about him to the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)" Gimigliano said, referring to the government office tasked with compiling and integrating intelligence from various US agencies.
The CIA didn't have enough information or evidence in advance of any alleged threat to act.
President, Barack Obama railed Tuesday against the intelligence breakdown and demanded an accounting this week of how the US system failed.Clearly, Obama was passing the buck by trying to lay blame at the feet of government entities which he is tasked with controlling.
The CIA is a professional organization which is tasked with protecting American interest, beyond America's borders. The CIA would never knowingly withhold intelligence which could save American lives.
Contributor, Ray Akins