NEW YORK - Former senior intelligence officials are disputing claims by the George W. Bush administration that the failure of Congress to pass a new foreign surveillance law is jeopardising the country’s national security.

In a letter to Admiral Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, the officials say ‘the intelligence community currently has the tools it needs to acquire surveillance of new targets and methods of communication.’

Charging that the government’s assertions to the contrary ‘have distorted rather than enhanced’ public understanding, their letter says, ‘The sunset of the Protect America Act (PAA) does not put America at greater risk. Despite claims that have been made, surveillance currently occurring under the PAA is authorised for up to a year. New surveillance requests can be filed through current FISA law.’