DATE=2/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SENATE-CIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258749
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The director of the Central Intelligence
Agency has warned of a growing threat from missiles
being developed by Iraq, Iran and North Korea.
However, the nation's top spy is not ruling out a
security breach within his own agency - committed by
his own predecessor. V-O-A's David Swan reports.
TEXT: In his annual report to Congress, C-I-A chief
George Tenet said the threat from abroad has grown
even more stark and worrisome in the past year. Mr.
Tenet says a number of countries besides Russia and
China are building missiles that could someday be
aimed at American targets.
/// Tenet Act ///
Over the next 15 years, however, our cities will
face ballistic missile threats from a wider
variety of actors - North Korea, probably Iran
and possibly Iraq.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Tenet says Iraq could have long-range ballistic
weapons in the next 10 years, while Iran may soon be
able to sell short-range missiles to other nations.
Mr. Tenet also described the Tehran government as the
most active state sponsor of terrorism.
The C-I-A director also expressed concern about
tension between India and Pakistan - which, Mr. Tenet
says, narrowly avoided full-scale war over disputed
Kashmir last year.
/// Tenet Act ///
Both Pakistan and India have intensified their
missile and nuclear rivalry. Further nuclear
testing is possible and both states have begun
to develop nuclear-use doctrines and contingency
planning.
/// End Act ///
The senators at Wednesday's hearing were more
concerned about another issue - the agency's handling
of a possible security violation by former director
John Deutch. Mr. Deutch, who was Mr. Tenet's
predecessor, was found to have classified information
on an unsecured home computer with access to the
Internet. Mr. Tenet denied a report that he or other
officials tried to hold up an investigation of the
matter. However, he acknowledged the data was, as he
put it, enormously sensitive - and he could not rule
out the possibility that some of it may have reached
unfriendly hands.
/// Tenet Act ///
We cannot assure you of that fact. All I can
say is, we came to a judgement that said we
cannot exclude that possibility. We have no
evidence to suggest that that has occurred, but
I can't give you assurances.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Deutch was stripped of his security clearance, or
access to secret information, after the incident
became known. Some of the lawmakers wondered why
there was no criminal investigation as well. (Signed)
NEB/DS/JP
02-Feb-2000 13:33 PM EDT (02-Feb-2000 1833 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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