News - 10-05-05
INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONALS LAUD RALEIGH SPY CONFERENCE
I, along with several other intelligence professionals, recently attended METRO MAGAZINE's third annual
Raleigh Spy Conference at the NC Museum of History and was pleasantly surprised at the quality and timeliness
of the subjects presented by an impressive group of speakers during this professionally run event. The issues
we face as a country are complicated ones that require a citizenry that understands the consequences of decisions
that lessen or increase the protection of their identities, their homes and workplaces, their cities, and the
nation's borders with Canada and Mexico- not to overlook the crucial role of our relations with friends and foes
abroad. Those of us who have spent our careers in intelligence know that without the support of a knowledgeable
public on these issues, our intelligence agencies can never be truly effective.
Let me thank the sponsors of this Conference, on behalf of the intelligence community, for such a magnificent
educational event that clearly increased the audience's awareness and support for the historical underpinnings
and current concerns of our intelligence and homeland security services.
Gene Poteat
Current President of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers [AFIO] and former career intelligence
officer with the Central Intelligence Agency's Science and Technology Directorate.
McLean, VA 22101