Combating Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Chapter 5Findings and Recommendations forExecutive Branch AgenciesCommon Agency ProblemsThis chapter presents the Commission’s findings and recommendations for executivebranch agencies that have a WMD-related mission. Most of the recommendations aredirected at a specific department or agency—reflecting the fact that each agency’s missionand programs are different—but some apply to most or all of the agencies. These broaderrecommendations are discussed at the outset of this chapter and are directed at all of thedepartments and agencies that have a role in combating proliferation.Cabinet-Level Attention and Similar PortfoliosAs noted in Chapter 2, one of the Commission’s principal findings is that the FederalGovernment’s efforts to combat WMD proliferation would benefit from greater coordinationand senior-level attention. The Commission recommended that the President establish aCombating Proliferation Council (CPC) to improve coordination among agencies andensure close consultation between the agencies and the National Director for CombatingProliferation. The Commission also recommended that the head of each agency designatea senior-level, Senate-confirmed official to be responsible for proliferation-related issues.These officials will constitute the membership of the CPC and will ensure that the threat ofproliferation receives sustained high-level attention in each agency. Such attentionincreases the chances that proliferation-related problems will be noticed early, allowingofficials to address them quickly and thus avert serious crises.Each agency’s designated official should be charged with developing a coherent plan forcarrying out that agency’s WMD-related mission and effective programs to execute thatplan. The designated officials will resolve, in consultation with the heads of their agencies(and where appropriate with the National Director), WMD-related disputes within theiragencies. They will be accountable to their agency heads and to the National Director forthe results of their agencies’ strategies and the successes and failures of their agencies’operations.Each agency’s lead official for proliferation-related matters should have a portfolio that isconsistent with the portfolio of the National Director and with their counterparts in otheragencies. In addition, each agency should make one senior resource official responsiblefor proliferation-related budgets. This person would work with the National Director in theresource planning process.PersonnelOne of the most important common agency problems is recruiting, retaining, anddeveloping personnel with the skills required for combating proliferation. Even the most43