Feinstein says 'all systems are go' for Panetta's CIA confirmation

Feinstein, who as chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee will preside over Panetta's confirmation hearing, said Wednesday that she had spoken with Panetta by phone and that she would support his confirmation.

"I believe all systems are go," she said in an interview at the Capitol. "I'm going to vote for him."

Feinstein had indicated Monday that she might oppose Panetta's nomination because he lacked experience in intelligence matters. The endorsement ended a standoff over one of the most important unfilled positions on Obama's national security team. Panetta, who previously served as chief of staff to President Clinton, is expected to play a key role in carrying out Obama's pledge to dismantle controversial CIA programs launched by President Bush, including the use of harsh interrogation methods on terrorism suspects.

But critics have questioned the Panetta pick because he has never worked in the U.S. intelligence community. Feinstein said she had received assurances from Panetta that he would surround himself with "very capable professionals."

Officials close to the Obama team have indicated that the president will seek to persuade some senior officials at the CIA -- including Stephen Kappes, the deputy director -- to remain after Panetta arrives.

Panetta would report to Dennis C. Blair, a retired Navy admiral tapped by Obama to serve as the director of national intelligence, a position that oversees the CIA and the other 15 agencies that comprise the U.S. intelligence community. Aides to Obama indicated that the president-elect could formally introduce Blair and Panetta as nominees as early as Friday.

Feinstein's reversal came after an intense lobbying effort by the Obama team, which had angered the California senator and other key lawmakers by failing to notify them of Panetta's selection before his name was leaked to the media.

Feinstein, who is the first woman to head the intelligence committee, also unveiled legislation Wednesday that would impose sweeping restrictions on the CIA in its interrogation and detention programs.

The bill would require the agency to abide by the same rules as the U.S. military in prisoner interrogations, adhering to a U.S. Army field manual that outlaws abusive methods ranging from sleep deprivation to the use of so-called stress positions. The CIA would also be forced for the first time to allow Red Cross workers access to prisoners in custody in secret agency prisons overseas.

The bill was endorsed by other members of the committee, including Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who described it as an effort to end programs that had cause "grievous and lasting harm" to the nation's reputation.

greg.miller@latimes.com

Times staff writer Richard Simon contributed to this report.