[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 6 (Monday, February 14, 2000)]
[Page 273]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.