DATE=3/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246511 (CQ)
TITLE=SENATE-EMBASSY BOMBS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

                  /// EDS: CLARIFIES INTRO ///

INTRO: THE MAN CHARGED WITH ASSESSING SECURITY NEEDS AT U-S 
EMBASSIES -- AFTER LAST YEAR'S BOMBINGS OF U-S FACILITIES IN 
AFRICA -- HAS WARNED THAT AMERICA'S OVERSEAS OUTPOSTS STILL FACE 
DANGER.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.

TEXT: RETIRED ADMIRAL AND FORMER AMBASSADOR WILLIAM CROWE TOLD 
SENATORS THE PROBLEM DEMANDS A TOUGHER ATTITUDE TOWARD SECURITY 
ALONG WITH A LARGE INFUSION OF MONEY.  OTHERWISE, HE SAYS, U-S 
FACILITIES AND HOST COUNTRIES COULD FACE MORE TERRORIST STRIKES 
-- LIKE THE BLASTS THAT KILLED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND WOUNDED 
THOUSANDS IN KENYA AND TANZANIA.

                         // CROWE ACT //

         THERE IS EVERY LIKELIHOOD THAT THERE WILL BE FURTHER 
         LARGE BOMBS AND OTHER KINDS OF ATTACKS.  WE MUST FACE 
         THIS FACT SQUARELY AND DO MORE TO PROVIDE OUR SECURITY 
         OR WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE OUR PEOPLE KILLED, OUR 
         EMBASSIES BLOWN AWAY AND THE REPUTATION OF THE UNITED 
         STATES OVERSEAS ERODED.

                          // END ACT //

IN A REPORT ISSUED EARLIER THIS YEAR, ADMIRAL CROWE'S REVIEW 
BOARDS SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR WHAT THEY CALL
AN INSTITUTIONAL FAILURE.  THE PROBE FOUND OFFICIALS DID NOT 
RECOGNIZE THE THREAT OF MASSIVE TRUCK BOMBS AND THIS ATTITUDE -- 
COUPLED WITH A LACK OF FUNDS FOR SECURITY -- SET THE STAGE FOR 
DISASTER.

IN ONE OF ITS MORE CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSALS, THE REPORT SUGGESTS 
CLOSING THE MOST VULNERABLE EMBASSIES AND REPLACING THEM WITH 
SAFER REGIONAL POSTS.  THE REVIEW ALSO CALLS ON THE U-S 
GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH A 10 YEAR, 14-BILLION DOLLAR WORLDWIDE 
SECURITY UPGRADE.  /// OPT /// ADMIRAL CROWE ACKNOWLEDGED THE 
PROBLEM WILL TAKE TIME TO SOLVE.

                // CROWE ACT //   /// OPT ACT ///

         WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH MONEY TO 
         DO ALL THAT SHOULD BE DONE AND THERE WILL BE MANY 
         BUILDINGS THAT WILL NOT BE UP TO STANDARD FOR A LONG 
         TIME.  WE WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH PARTIAL SOLUTIONS AND, 
         IN TURN, A HIGH LEVEL OF THREAT AND VULNERABILITY FOR 
         QUITE SOME TIME.

               // END ACT //   /// END OPT ACT ///

THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS PLEDGED TO HEED THE LESSONS OF LAST 
YEAR'S BOMBINGS AND MAKE SECURITY A TOP PRIORITY.  THE CLINTON 
ADMINISTRATION IS ASKING CONGRESS FOR MORE THAN THREE-BILLION 
DOLLARS TO FIX WEAKNESSES, BUT MOST (OF THE MONEY) WOULD NOT BE 
SPENT UNTIL AFTER THE UPCOMING (2000) FISCAL YEAR.

THIS APPROACH HAS DRAWN CRITICISM FROM SENATE REPUBLICANS, WHO 
SAY MORE MONEY IS NEEDED NOW, AND ACCUSE THE WHITE HOUSE OF 
REPEATING PAST MISTAKES. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/ENE/GE

11-Mar-99 2:50 PM EST (1950 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.