DATE=2/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - INTERNET SECURITY (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259196
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton Tuesday met with high-tech
executives, members of his cabinet, academic experts
and privacy groups at the White House to discuss ways
to bolster internet security in the wake of last
week's attacks on major web sites. VOA Correspondent
Deborah Tate reports from the White House.
Text: Mr. Clinton arranged the meeting in response
to last week's cyber attacks, in which hackers
bombarded such popular web sites as Yahoo, e-Bay, and
CNN-dot-com with streams of requests for information -
temporarily halting service on those sites.
The President opened the discussion saying he was not
surprised by the assault.
// Clinton actuality //
It is just a replay of what always happens when
there is a new way of communicating, a new way
of making money throughout human society, there
will alway be someone who tries to take
advantage of it, we will figure out how to deal
with it.
// end act //
But some of the executives - noting that one-third of
the unprecedented economic growth in the United States
has been generated by high-tech firms and internet
commerce - expressed deep concern about the cyber
attacks. Charles Wang is Chief Executive Officer of
Computer Associates International.
// Wang actuality //
There is a crisis here because there are people
maliciously attacking the internet. We
recognize the danger it can do to the economy.
// end act //
Mr. Wang says the private sector must take the lead in
efforts to improve internet security.
His colleagues concurred, and announced after the
White House meeting that they had agreed to establish
a mechanism to share cyber security information.
Commerce Secretary William Daley will meet with a
group of internet executives next week to discuss the
plan.
The executives also joined administration officials in
agreeing that the government can play an important
role - saying it could set an example by securing its
own computer system and fund research and development
on internet security issues.
Although some internet companies are not happy with
the idea of greater government oversight - fearing it
would lead to regulation or invasion of privacy -
White House Chief of Staff John Podesta offered
assurances that it would not.
// Podesta actuality //
The solutions we talked about did not involve
greater government regulation or greater
governmental power. They were things we can do
in partnership with the private sector to
increase security. We do not need to reduce
privacy as we enhance security on the network.
Privacy and security go together, in fact.
// end act //
Mr. Clinton is asking Congress for two billion dollars
in next year's budget request to bolster cyber
security. (Signed)
NEB/DAT/PT
15-Feb-2000 17:55 PM EDT (15-Feb-2000 2255 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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