Price Leaving Cia Counterintelligence Post

The head of the CIA’s embattled clandestine service, Hugh E. “Ted” Price, Tuesday told agency colleagues that he would retire at the end of this week.

Price’s departure had long been forecast, but it was expected he would remain in his job until President Clinton’s choice for new CIA director, Deputy Defense Secretary John M. Deutch, took over. The Senate may approve Deutch’s nomination this week, but Price, sources said, decided he would not wait.

In his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee last week, Deutch indicated he would clean house. At least two other top managers are scheduled to leave soon.

In September 1994, Price was reprimanded by then CIA Director R. James Woolsey over the handling of convicted spy Aldrich H. Ames. Price was cited for failing to take steps in 1989 and 1990, while he was first deputy and then director of the agency’s counterintelligence center, to provide more assets to hunt for a possible Moscow “mole” inside the agency.