    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [February 10, 2000]
    [Pages 225-226]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement Announcing Embassy Security Initiatives
    February 10, 2000

        Today I am announcing initiatives to further improve the security of
    American men and women serving their country in diplomatic and consular
    missions overseas and to ensure that the United States performs these
    activities in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
        I intend to request $1.1 billion in my budget for fiscal year 2001
    for Embassy security initiatives including construction of new
    facilities, additional protective measures for existing facilities, and
    the full cost of maintaining a high level of security readiness. The
    budget also includes a sustained commitment to this effort, including
    $14 billion over the next 10 years in security enhancement funding and
    new construction. I will again ask the Congress to provide advance
    appropriations for the construction of new facilities in future years to
    provide a solid foundation on which to plan and execute the Embassy
    security construction program.
        We must continue to reexamine how we manage and protect all U.S.
    Government employees who work overseas. Last year, following on the
    excellent work of Admiral Crowe and
    the

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    Accountability Review Board, the Secretary of State appointed a panel, chaired by Lewis Kaden, to review our overseas operations. The Overseas
    Presence Advisory Panel included a distinguished array of individuals
    with diplomatic, military, and governmental experience, as well as
    important members of the business community. The Panel's report last
    November recommended a wide range of improvements in rightsizing,
    managing, improving, and protecting our staff who work abroad. The
    report also recommended changes to the way our representatives overseas
    work as a team in support of American interests and in the management
    and financing of U.S. Government overseas facilities.
        The Panel has made an important contribution to our Nation's
    security and the conduct of international affairs. My budget proposals
    reflect and fully support their recommendation that a greater commitment
    is needed in this critical area. I also agree with their recommendation
    for review and improvement in the way we manage our overseas presence.
        I have asked the Secretary of State to lead a Cabinet committee to implement the Panel's
    recommendations regarding rightsizing. This process will look at the
    full range of agency staff, who serve in U.S. missions abroad, and make
    recommendations about the appropriate levels and skills with which we
    should staff our Embassies in the new century. It will also review and
    make recommendations regarding the management, financing, and
    computerization of overseas facilities.
        I ask the Congress to join me in working to protect America's
    presence throughout the world and to ensure that we maintain the best
    and most effective presence overseas to serve America's interests.