Intelligence issues on agenda for Gibbons trip

Gibbons, scheduled to leave Wednesday and return Jan. 17, is the third member of Nevada's congressional delegation to spend a substantial amount of time overseas during the winter recess.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is set to leave Thursday for a 12-day trip to the Indian subcontinent. Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., left Monday for three weeks in Africa.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., plans no overseas travel. Congress returns to session on Jan. 24.

Members of the House Intelligence Committee will assess information gathering and security capabilities of Australia, chairman Porter Goss, R-Fla., said in a statement. In New Zealand, the lawmakers expect to discuss security issues with new government leaders.

Gibbons noted the United States operates a satellite downlink station at Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia, and has other, more secret capabilities in the country. He said about a dozen committee members have signed up.

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