    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 3, 1999]
    [Pages 2206-2207]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
    2000
    December 3, 1999

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 1555, the ``Intelligence
    Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000.'' The Act authorizes
    appropriations for U.S. intelligence and intelligence-related activities
    during fiscal year 2000. This legislation contains numerous provisions
    that will help to ensure that the U.S. Intelligence Community retains
    the capability to counter threats to our Nation's security.
        This Act contains a provision, known as the ``Foreign Narcotics
    Kingpin Designation Act,'' that establishes a global program targeting
    the activities of significant foreign narcotics traffickers and their
    organizations. The new Act provides a statutory framework for the
    President to institute sanctions against foreign drug kingpins when such
    sanctions are appropriate, with the objective of denying their
    businesses and agents access to the U.S. financial system and to the
    benefits of trade and transactions involving U.S. businesses and
    individuals. Working with other nations, I intend to use the tools in
    this provision to combat the national security threat posed to the
    United States by international drug trafficking.
        No nation alone can effectively counter these supra-national
    criminal organizations. The United States must continue to cooperate
    with, assist, and encourage other nations to join in coordinated efforts
    against these organizations. Consequently, as kingpin designations are
    made under this law, we look forward to working with

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    appropriate host government authorities to pursue additional measures
    against those designated.
        I am concerned about several parts of the legislation as well as
    segments of the accompanying joint explanatory statement. Although not
    law, classified language in the statement accompanying the bill,
    entitled ``State Department Restrictions on Intelligence Collection
    Activities,'' could, if required to be implemented, interfere with my
    responsibilities under the Constitution to conduct foreign policy and as
    Commander in Chief. My Administration is committed to protecting and
    increasing its foreign intelligence collection capabilities while
    simultaneously promoting our foreign policy goals. To that end, in July
    of this year the Department of State issued new, uniform guidance that
    clarified the contact procedures and guidelines for executive branch
    personnel (including military attaches) with respect to official
    representatives of nations of concern. I believe that these guidelines
    strike an appropriate balance among the competing interests at stake.
    Accordingly, consistent with my constitutional responsibilities with
    respect to the conduct of foreign policy and as Commander in Chief, I
    will continue to expect that foreign policy guidance provided to U.S.
    defense attaches will be treated as a foreign policy matter, and direct
    that the July guidance remain in effect until such time as I decide
    otherwise.
        The Act also creates a commission to review the roles, mission, and
    operations of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and I am pleased
    to note that the Director of Central Intelligence will have a
    representative on the commission. While I support the establishment of
    this commission, I believe that because the NRO is an element within the
    Department of Defense, the Department should be represented on the
    commission. I also recommend that the commission coordinate its review
    and findings of mutual interest with the Commission to Assess U.S.
    National Security Space Management and Organization established by the
    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Public Law 106-
    65). Further, H.R. 1555 provides that ``[n]o department or agency of the
    Government may withhold information from the [National Commission for
    the Review of the National Reconnaissance Office] on the grounds that
    providing the information to the Commission would constitute the
    unauthorized disclosure of classified information or information
    relating to intelligence sources or methods.'' I do not read this
    provision to detract from my constitutional authority, including my
    authority over national security information.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    December 3, 1999.

    Note: H.R. 1555, approved December 3, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
    120.