Dennis Richardson says US intelligence services are doing an outstanding job. (File photo)
Last Update: Thursday, October 5, 2006. 2:15pm (AEST)

Former ASIO boss backs US intelligence

The former head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has defended the information provided by United States intelligence services.

Several key American agencies are under fire for letting the country down in not stopping the September 11 terrorist attacks, and then for providing faulty intelligence on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction - a key justification for the war.

US intelligence is under the spotlight again care of a swag of new books, which chronicle the internal battles of the Bush Administration as it grapples with the terrorism threat.

Investigative reporter Bob Woodward, in his new book, State of Denial, has revealed the Pentagon ignored an order from President George W Bush to share intelligence with Australia.

The move reportedly infuriated the Prime Minister, with John Howard complaining directly to Mr Bush to free up the flow of information.

Former ASIO chief, turned ambassador to the US, Dennis Richardson says he is more than happy with the level of cooperation now and he is even been willing to praise the much criticised US spy agencies.

"They have been central to the war on terror, they have been central to information sharing globally," he said.

"They have led the way on it, their performance has in my view been quite outstanding."

Mr Richardson says he believes it is fashionable to attack intelligence agencies.

"I know that it is very fashionable in this town and in this country to kick your intelligence agencies to death, and it's very fashionable to be critical of them the whole time," he said.

Mr Richardson says last year's subway bombings in London are evidence that Australian authorities must always be on their guard.

"Despite the progress and the successes, I think, I think it would be a brave person to make that claim and I think the 7th of July last year in London was a timely reminder," he said.