DATE=7/22/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-252041
TITLE=CONGRESS-CHINA EMBASSY (L ONLY)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S CONGRESS IS PROBING THE MAY 7TH NATO BOMBING OF
THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. MOST OF THE INQUIRY IS BEING
CONDUCTED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. BUT AT A RARE PUBLIC HEARING, THE
NATION'S TOP INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS OFFERED AN EXPLANATION AND A
PROMISE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PREVENT SUCH AN INCIDENT
FROM EVER OCCURRING AGAIN. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS FROM
CAPITOL HILL.
TEXT: THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY CALLS THE
BOMBING A MAJOR ERROR.
///TENET ACT///
THE ATTACK WAS A MISTAKE. LET ME EMPHASIZE OUR
INVESTIGATION HAS DETERMINED THAT NO ONE -- AND I
REPEAT, NO ONE -- KNOWINGLY TARGETED THE CHINESE
EMBASSY.
///END ACT///
GEORGE TENET SAYS A SERIES OF MISSTEPS LED TO A TRAGIC
MISCALCULATION. HE SAYS AGENCY DATA BANKS WERE INSUFFICIENT,
AND FLAWED INFORMATION WAS USED.
///TENET ACT///
THE UNINTENDED ATTACK HAPPENED BECAUSE A NUMBER OF
SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES THAT ARE USED TO IDENTIFY AND
VERIFY POTENTIAL TARGETS DID NOT WORK.
///END ACT///
NATO HAD PLANNED TO HIT A YUGOSLAV MILITARY BUILDING. BUT THEY
GOT THE LOCATION WRONG, AND HIT THE CHINESE EMBASSY INSTEAD. MR.
TENET TOLD THE COMMITTEE THOSE WHO PLANNED THE BOMBING USED MAPS
THAT SHOWED THE EMBASSY TO BE FAR AWAY. THEN HE ADDED A NEW
TWIST TO THE STORY. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE CORRECT EMBASSY SITE WAS
KNOWN TO OTHERS AT THE C-I-A, BUT THEY WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE
PLANNING PROCESS. AND HE SAID CORRECT MAPS WERE IN THE
POSSESSION OF THE AGENCY -- BUT NEVER GOT IN THE RIGHT HANDS.
///TENET ACT///
WE HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND MAPS WHICH SHOW THE CORRECT
AND CURRENT LOCATION OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY ALTHOUGH
THERE ARE OTHERS, INCLUDING SOME PRODUCED AFTER 1996 BY
THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT WHICH DO NOT.
///END ACT///
THE C-I-A DIRECTOR TOLD THE COMMITTEE HE TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE ERROR. BUT DEPUTY DEFENSE SECRETARY JOHN HAMRE DISAGREED.
///HAMRE ACT///
DIRECTOR TENET SAID THAT HE FEELS THAT THIS ACCIDENTAL
BOMBING WAS THE PRODUCT OF FAILURES INSIDE THE
INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. WE IN THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DON'T
LOOK AT IT QUITE THAT WAY. WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF
DROPPING BOMBS AND WINNING WARS. AND IF THERE IS A
FAILURE, IT IS OUR FAILURE
///END ACT///
BOTH MEN VOWED CHANGES WILL BE MADE IN INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS.
THEY SAID THE C-I-A DATA BASE -- USED FOR TARGETING PURPOSES BY
THE MILITARY -- WILL BE CONSTANTLY UPDATED. AND THEY SAID ALL
INFORMATION USED IN TARGETING DECISIONS WILL GET GREATER
SCRUTINY. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/ENE/KL
22-Jul-99 2:01 PM EDT (1801 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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