February 10, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

                              THE WHITE HOUSE

                       Office of the Press Secretary
      _______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                              February 10, 2000


                        STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

     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 US
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 US 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 US 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.


                                 30-30-30