New Counter-Terrorism Strategy Would Transfer Power to the NSC

WASHINGTON — The White House has proposed an overhaul of the nation’s counter-terrorism strategy that would concentrate greater power in the National Security Council and shift key assignments among federal law enforcement agencies, according to administration officials.

Under the proposal, the NSC would assign roles to the 18 federal departments or agencies--including the FBI, CIA and Pentagon--now involved in the counter-terrorism effort, and have authority over everything from the development of yearly budget plans to rescue efforts after a terrorist attack.

“When money was going to the war on drugs, we created a drug czar,” said an administration official. “Now money is going to counter-terrorism and so we’ll have a czar for that, except this one will have real power.”

The proposal has provoked sharp complaints from Atty. Gen. Janet Reno, who supports the idea of greater coordination but is concerned that decisions normally left to professional prosecutors might be put in the hands of NSC staff members without law enforcement experience.

National Security Advisor Samuel R. “Sandy” Berger has promised that the plan, detailed in a classified presidential decision directive, will not be finalized until all such issues are fully aired in Cabinet-level discussions.