DATE=2/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SENATE-CIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258749
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The director of the Central Intelligence 
Agency has warned of a growing threat from missiles 
being developed by Iraq, Iran and North Korea.  
However, the nation's top spy is not ruling out a 
security breach within his own agency - committed by 
his own predecessor.  V-O-A's David Swan reports.

TEXT:  In his annual report to Congress, C-I-A chief 
George Tenet said the threat from abroad has grown 
even more stark and worrisome in the past year.  Mr. 
Tenet says a number of countries besides Russia and 
China are building missiles that could someday be 
aimed at American targets.

            /// Tenet Act ///

      Over the next 15 years, however, our cities will 
      face ballistic missile threats from a wider 
      variety of actors - North Korea, probably Iran 
      and possibly Iraq.

            /// End Act ///

Mr. Tenet says Iraq could have long-range ballistic 
weapons in the next 10 years, while Iran may soon be 
able to sell short-range missiles to other nations.  
Mr. Tenet also described the Tehran government as the 
most active state sponsor of terrorism.

The C-I-A director also expressed concern about 
tension between India and Pakistan - which, Mr. Tenet 
says, narrowly avoided full-scale war over disputed 
Kashmir last year.

            /// Tenet Act ///

      Both Pakistan and India have intensified their 
      missile and nuclear rivalry.  Further nuclear 
      testing is possible and both states have begun 
      to develop nuclear-use doctrines and contingency 
      planning.

            /// End Act ///

The senators at Wednesday's hearing were more 
concerned about another issue - the agency's handling 
of a possible security violation by former director 
John Deutch.  Mr. Deutch, who was Mr. Tenet's 
predecessor, was found to have classified information 
on an unsecured home computer with access to the 
Internet.  Mr. Tenet denied a report that he or other 
officials tried to hold up an investigation of the 
matter.  However, he acknowledged the data was, as he 
put it, enormously sensitive - and he could not rule 
out the possibility that some of it may have reached 
unfriendly hands.

            /// Tenet Act ///

      We cannot assure you of that fact.  All I can 
      say is, we came to a judgement that said we 
      cannot exclude that possibility.  We have no 
      evidence to suggest that that has occurred, but 
      I can't give you assurances.

            /// End Act ///

Mr. Deutch was stripped of his security clearance, or 
access to secret information, after the incident 
became known.  Some of the lawmakers wondered why 
there was no criminal investigation as well. (Signed)

NEB/DS/JP




02-Feb-2000 13:33 PM EDT (02-Feb-2000 1833 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.