[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 24 (Monday, June 21, 1999)]
[Page 1114]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.