DATE=2/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-CIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259464
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A former Director of the Central Intelligence
Agency has apologized for breeches of agency security.
But as V-O-A'S Paula Wolfson reports, key members of
the U-S Congress say the actions of John Deutch are
inexcusable.
TEXT: The controversy surrounds Mr.Deutch's use of
agency computers during his tenure as Director from
May 1995 to December 1996, and in the months that
followed.
According to an internal C-I-A investigation, he put
highly classified documents on home and office
computers linked to the internet, placing sensitive
materials at risk.
The investigators outlined their findings in a report
made public by the Senate Intelligence Committee. The
report says Mr. Deutch was aware of rules regarding
handling of classified information. And it criticizes
agency and administration officials for not doing
enough to pursue the matter.
As he emerged from a closed-door meeting with the
Senate panel, John Deutch was contrite.
///Deutch first act///
I acknowledged and I apologized for the mistakes
I made in using unclassified government
computers for some of my classified work. At no
time did I intend to violate security rules. And
fortunately, there is no evidence of compromise
(no evidence the classified information got into
the wrong hands).
///end act///
Mr. Deutch said the C-I-A Director should be an
example to others and above reproach. At the same
time, he urged members of Congress to put his misdeeds
in perspective.
///Deutch act//
I have worked for this country for over forty
years in a number of positions and I am proud of
my accomplishments. I hope that my mistake will
be weighed against the service and contributions
that I have made.
///end act///
But the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence panel was
not forgiving. Alabama Republican Richard Shelby said
the committee is - - in his words - - "deeply
troubled."
///Shelby act//
We know he is a bright man. He served the
government for a long time. But he wasn't
serving it very well when this went on.
///end act///
He said Mr. Deutch's explanation to the committee was
not satisfactory. And he indicated the panel will
continue to look into the matter for some time.
Senator Shelby said it is too early to talk about
legal action, but he did not rule it out. (Signed)
NEB/PT
22-Feb-2000 18:41 PM EDT (22-Feb-2000 2341 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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