DATE=1/8/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243956
TITLE=EMBASSY SECURITY (L)
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   A NEW REPORT ON LAST YEAR'S DEADLY EMBASSY BOMBINGS IN 
EAST AFRICA HAS ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT AND CONGRESS OF FAILING TO
PROVIDE ADEQUATE SECURITY AT U-S EMBASSIES ABROAD.  DIPLOMATIC 
CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE THREE MONTH STUDY DIRECTED BY RETIRED U-S ADMIRAL 
WILLIAM CROWE, BLAMES PAST ADMINISTRATIONS AND CONGRESSES FOR 
WHAT IS TERMED A "COLLECTIVE FAILURE" TO REDUCE THE DANGER TO U-S
EMBASSIES.

THE REPORT FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY U-S EMPLOYEES FAILED TO 
FULFILL THEIR DUTY.  BUT IT SAYS EMBASSY SECURITY WAS GIVEN A LOW
PRIORITY BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND INADEQUATE FUNDING WAS 
AVAILABLE.

ADMIRAL CROWE ALSO SAYS THE TWO EMBASSIES THAT WERE ATTACKED IN 
EAST AFRICA LAST YEAR WERE NOT PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE THREAT 
FROM CAR BOMBS.

                         // CROWE ACT //

         BOTH EMBASSIES WERE LOCATED IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT OR 
         CLOSE TO PUBLIC STREETS AND WERE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE 
         TO LARGE VEHICULAR BOMBS.  THE BOARD HAS FOUND THAT TOO 
         MANY OF OUR OVERSEAS MISSIONS ARE SIMILARLY SITUATED. 

                          // END ACT //

ADMIRAL CROWE SAYS THE PANEL FOUND THAT EMBASSIES ALSO RELY TOO 
HEAVILY ON WARNINGS, WHICH HE SAYS DID NOT COME BEFORE THE NEAR 
SIMULTANEOUS BOMBINGS IN TANZANIA AND KENYA LAST AUGUST.  

THE ADMIRAL SAYS ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF ALL U-S MISSIONS ABROAD HAVE
INADEQUATE SECURITY.  HE SAID THE REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDED MORE 
THAN ONE-POINT-FIVE BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR BE SPENT ON SECURITY 
UPGRADES.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, WHO ACCEPTED SOME OF THE 
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SECURITY LAPSES, SAYS HER DEPARTMENT IS 
MOVING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO ADAPT THE PANEL'S 
RECOMMENDATIONS.

                       // ALBRIGHT ACT //

         IT REMINDS US ALL THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE CARE, NO 
         MATTER HOW MUCH WE DO, WE CAN ALWAYS DO MORE WHEN THE 
         LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE ARE ON THE LINE.

                          // END ACT //

OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THE EMBASSIES CAN NEVER BE MADE RISK FREE, 
BUT THEY SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT SO MANY OF THE FACILITIES 
FAIL TO MEET ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/PT

08-Jan-99 3:11 PM EST (2011 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.