DATE=5/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS/STATE DEPARTMENT SECURITY (L)
NUMBER=2-262248
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S law enforcement officials says foreign
intelligence agents posing as journalists are being
granted unescorted access to the U-S State Department.
The revelation emerged during testimony before the U-S
Congress. Lawmakers are probing security concerns at
the State Department, following a series of
embarrassing security breaches, including the recent
disappearance of a laptop computer loaded with top
secret information. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports.
TEXT: Federal law enforcement officials say they have
identified foreign spys working as journalists at the
state department.
Tim Bereznay -- a top F-B-I official -- indicates the
foreign intelligence officers were discovered in the
course of ongoing investigations.
///Berezney act///
If asked, the F-B-I would be willing to identify
to the State Department permanent media badge
holders identified as hostile intelligence
officers so that their access could be
restricted or their visits monitored.
///end act///
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says she is
anxious to see the F-B-I report.
///Albright act///
I think what we have to do is be very strict
about this. We have a serious problem.
///end act///
The disclosure came during a congressional hearing.
State Department security chief David Carpenter told
members of the House International Relations
Committee, that reporters are supposed to be
restricted to the first two floors of the department
headquarters. He said he would like to see the
pressroom moved outside the complex.
///Carpenter act///
I am not a diplomat. I was hired to be a
security officer. If it was within my power, I
would not have the press actually in that
building.
///end act///
Committee members responded to the new revelations
with a mix of frustration and anger. California
Republican Dana Rohrabacher -- a strong critic of the
Clinton administration -- was blunt.
///Rohrabacher act///
We have got intelligence agents posing as
members of the press running around the building
unescorted. Something is screwy here.
///end act///
The State Department's internal investigator joined in
the criticism, though her rhetoric was more
restrained. Inspector General Jacquelyn Williams-
Bridges says her inquiry found numerous security
lapses and a lack of accountability. (signed)
NEB/PW/KBK
11-May-2000 16:51 PM EDT (11-May-2000 2051 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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