[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 18 (Friday, February 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        OUR INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, a group of us from the leadership met with 
the President this morning with reference to the very serious case 
involving our intelligence system. We had a thorough discussion on 
that.
  This Senator has not spoken out, even though I am vice chairman of 
the Intelligence Committee, about the Ames case. And I will continue to 
withhold my thoughts on it because, believe me, we should maintain a 
tight lip for fear that somehow a statement made by, say, a person in 
my position on the Intelligence Committee or others could jeopardize 
the criminal procedures to which these two defendants, the Ames family, 
should be accorded under the laws of this country.
  It would be a double tragedy if, for some reason, through statements 
made or other actions, we would jeopardize the criminal process in this 
case so that due process is not fully met and accorded these 
individuals.
  I do not say it on behalf of the individuals. I say it on behalf of 
this country. This has been a tragic case and it would be a double 
tragedy if somehow they got off as a consequence of statements.
  I would also add that I recommended to the President and the group at 
this meeting that it is incumbent upon myself, the chairman of the 
Intelligence Committee, and our two counterparts in the House, together 
with other members, such as Senator Cohen, who has taken an initiative 
in this area, to draft a law which will change, perhaps not completely, 
the manner in which we currently--could I ask of the managers another 
1\1/2\ minutes?
  Mr. SIMON. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes of my time to Senator Warner.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized for an additional 
1\1/2\ minutes chargeable to the Senator from Illinois.
  Mr. WARNER. I thank the distinguished manager.
  Let me repeat the statement.
  It is incumbent upon those of us who have the responsibility over the 
respective Intelligence Committees of the two bodies to work with the 
administration in drafting a statute which will change, perhaps not 
completely, but change the manner in which we maintain a check and 
balance on our own persons in that system--not a wholesale invasion of 
their personal lives. But if a U.S. citizen is going to serve in the 
intelligence business, voluntarily, then I think they will have to 
consider, particularly in these most sensitive portions of our 
intelligence like counterintelligence, they will have to accede to a 
greater degree of monitoring of their personal lives so as to preclude 
ever again the American public awakening to see individuals in these 
high positions, such as the Ames family, conducting their lifestyle as 
has been reported.
  I felt the meeting was a very encouraging one on several aspects. It 
is a continuing opportunity for this body to consult with the President 
and his chief advisers on matters of great sensitivity to this country.
  I thank the Chair and I thank the managers.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
  Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized accordingly.
  Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, just commenting on the last item that 
Senator Warner commented on, way back when, I served in military 
intelligence in the Army. I do not think there is any question that the 
CIA has to monitor the personal finances of people who work for the 
CIA. If there is anyone who is working for the CIA and is showing a 
very lavish lifestyle, serious questions have to be asked. That is just 
basic in intelligence, but the basics have not taken place.

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