On January 31, 2003, while seeking help in monitoring the ‘Middle Six’ countries on the UN Security Council who were undecided in regards to invading Iraq, “Frank Koza, the [National Security Agency’s (NSA’s)] Sigint [signals intelligence] department’s deputy chief of staff for Regional Targets, sent a Top Secret/Codeword memo to the NSA’s Five Eyes partners in Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand asking for help: ‘As you’ve likely heard by now, the Agency is mounting a surge particularly directed at the UN Security Council (UNSC) members (minus US and GBR [Great Britain] of course) for insights as to how membership is reacting to the on-going debate RE: Iraq, plans to vote on any related resolutions, what related policies/negotiating positions they may be considering, alliances/dependencies, etc.–the whole gamut of information that could give the US policymakers an edge in obtaining results favorable to US goals or to head off surprises.’ ”
– James Bamford, The Shadow Factory, Page 142