USA: VIRGINIA: CIA PUBLISH HIGHLY SENSITIVE SPY PHOTOGRAPHS

English/Nat The US Intelligence agency the CIA has published some highly sensitive spy photographs from the Cold War. The photos were taken by spy satellites, among the most effective and high-tech equipment in the C-I-A's arsenal. The C-I-A director admitted the satellite imagery was critical to America's national security during the cold war years. Thousands of declassified spy photos taken during the Cold War will now be available to the public. The acting director of the C-I-A says the early photos offer an interesting perspective on espionage at the height of U-S/Soviet tensions. SOUNDBITE: As we debate the role and mission of intelligence into the next century it's important to understand how the images sent back by these early satellites altered our view of the world during the Cold war and how satellite imagery continues to shape our world view today. SUPER CAPTION: Admiral William Studeman Acting C-I-A Director The ceremony included a display of one of the first spy cameras, which took many of the declassified photos from 1960 to 1972. Now obsolete, the cameras offered U-S intelligence agents a glimpse of the post-World War Two Soviet military buildup. Some examples of the pictures include Soviet airbases taken from a spy satellite code- named Corona. Vice-President Al Gore was also on-hand for the ceremony. He says early spy satellite technology helped give American negotiators an edge during Cold War arms negotiations with the Soviet Union. SOUNDBITE: And clearly photographs like those mentioned by Admiral Studeman were instrumental in protecting our country and preserving the lives of Americans no question. They enabled three American presidents to deal with their Soviet counterparts armed with unprecedented knowledge about the cards the Soviets were holding on their side of the bargaining table. SUPER CAPTION: US Vice-President Al Gore Gore says besides the photographs historical value, they will help researchers study the effects of global climate change, hopefully helping to predict future natural disasters. SOUNDBITE: Of course changes in the Earth's environment have resulted in some of the most catastrophic losses of life, property and income of the past several years and we need to draw on all possible sources of information to improve our ability to predict and possibly counter these natural disasters. SUPER CAPTION: US Vice-President Al Gore But don't think the C-I-A is letting its defences down. The latest photos made available are from 1972, denying the public a chance to view pictures taken with America's most advanced spy satellite technology. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/add933a320dbcbfc417d35bc2c2c2b9a Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork