[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 48 (Monday, December 6, 1999)]
[Pages 2512-2513]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

[[Page 2513]]

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.