Leaping into the selection process for a “terrorism czar” and a related department could do far more harm than good.

President Bush has nominated U.S. Rep. Porter J. Goss as new director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Goss offers a variety of credentials to handle the dangerous and controversial assignment, but opposition immediately came from a number of sources, some purely political, others broader-based. A common complaint is that Goss is too close to an agency that requires stern guidance and impartial administration.

Meanwhile, we continue to hear of the need for the United States to select a “terrorism czar” to be the clearing house for data that can be passed on to guide executive decisions. In view of the many errors and oversights that may have aided the Sept. 11, 2001, attackers and because so much bad information led to a costly decision to invade Iraq, there is an obvious need for important leadership to assist in “connecting the dots” of American intelligence information.

The Goss and “czar” issues are separate, even though the underlying function is similar. So far, there has been no hint that Goss might be promoted for the top position that would link such agencies as the CIA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, both of which badly need better direction and strong reorganization. But whatever direction is taken in the aftermath of the recommendations by the 9-11 commission, great care should be taken not simply to create another layer of bureaucracy that would cause more confusion, cost more money and wind up doing more harm than good in our global battle against terrorism.

Consider this advice from the Herald of Rock Hill, S.C.:

“We think that, contrary to the call for immediate action, the nation should take some time to critically review the (9-11) commission’s proposals and consider which would actually improve our ability to counter the terrorist threat. And while the commission report outlines glaring failures on the part of our intelligence agencies, we are not convinced that a complete overhaul and a new bureaucracy are the answer. … We fear that a wholesale intelligence shakeup conducted in the heat of a presidential campaign would do more harm than good.”

At present, it appears the hearing process for Rep. Goss will not be completed before the end of the year. Any action on an intelligence “czar” also should proceed with caution.