    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [June 15, 1999]
    [Page 943]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board Report
    on Security at the Energy Department Weapons Labs
    June 15, 1999

        On March 18, 1999, I asked the President's Foreign Intelligence
    Advisory Board, the PFIAB, to undertake a review of the security threat
    at the Department of Energy's weapons labs and the measures that have
    been taken to address it. PFIAB Chairman Warren B. Rudman presented the Board's findings to me today. I have asked
    the PFIAB to make the report available to Congress and to the public.
        I would like to thank Senator Rudman
    and the Board members who undertook this important study over a 90-day
    period, reviewing hundreds of documents and conducting dozens of
    interviews. As the report recognizes, the Department of Energy
    represents the best of America's scientific talent and expertise. The
    value of their contributions makes it imperative that we place a premium
    on ensuring that we have instituted the best possible measures for the
    protection of our nation's most valuable secrets at Department
    facilities.
        This administration already has taken unprecedented steps to reduce
    the vulnerability of our secrets at the labs. Over a year ago I issued a
    sweeping directive to strengthen counterintelligence across the board at
    the Department of Energy, and Secretary Richardson has aggressively instituted new rules and procedures for
    counterintelligence and security at DOE facilities. The PFIAB has made a
    number of proposals which we will carefully review. We remain committed
    to taking the necessary steps to safeguard our Nation's secrets.
        As these vital national security issues are addressed, we will be
    most successful if we continue our efforts in a bipartisan manner with
    close cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches of
    Government.