2 June 98

I asked Admiral Jeremiah to take a hard look at the Intelligence Community's performance on India. He did exactly that. He identified problems that impeded our performance on India and warned us of weaknesses that could reduce our effectiveness in the future-- if we do not correct them now.

While the Intelligence Community has for years closely followed the Indian nuclear program, there is no getting around the fact that we did not predict these particular Indian nuclear tests. We did not get it right. Period. We have a professional responsibility to stand up, acknowledge that, and learn from it.

But it would be a mistake for the American people to define U.S. intelligence by a single event. Day in and day out, the men and women of the intelligence community give our policy makers and our President the best intelligence in the world-from Bosnia to Pakistan, from counter-terrorism to counter-narcotics, this intelligence protects the lives of U.S. forces and our citizens. It is one of the best investments the American people make.

This is the time to move ahead. I accept all of Admiral Jeremiah's recommendations. I am making it my highest priority to implement them as quickly as possible. I have asked Joan Dempsey, the newly confirmed Deputy Director of Central Intelligence for Community Management, to develop action plans for implementing each of the Admiral's recommendations.

Admiral Jeremiah has given us a valuable service. I thank him for his dedication and for serving his country yet again.