DATE=2/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-CIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259464
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 


INTRO:  A former Director of the Central Intelligence 
Agency has apologized for breeches of agency security.  
But as V-O-A'S Paula Wolfson reports, key members of 
the U-S Congress say the actions of John Deutch are 
inexcusable.


TEXT:  The controversy surrounds Mr.Deutch's use of 
agency computers during his tenure as Director from 
May 1995 to December 1996, and in the months that 
followed.

According to an internal C-I-A investigation, he put 
highly classified documents on home and office 
computers linked to the internet, placing sensitive 
materials at risk.

The investigators outlined their findings in a report 
made public by the Senate Intelligence Committee.  The 
report says Mr. Deutch was aware of rules regarding 
handling of classified information.  And it criticizes 
agency and administration officials for not doing 
enough to pursue the matter.

As he emerged from a closed-door meeting with the 
Senate panel, John Deutch was contrite.

            ///Deutch first act///

      I acknowledged and I apologized for the mistakes 
      I made in using unclassified government 
      computers for some of my classified work.  At no 
      time did I intend to violate security rules. And 
      fortunately, there is no evidence of compromise 
      (no evidence the classified information got into 
      the wrong hands).


            ///end act///

Mr. Deutch said the C-I-A Director should be an 
example to others and above reproach.   At the same 
time, he urged members of Congress to put his misdeeds 
in perspective.

            ///Deutch act//

      I have worked for this country for over forty 
      years in a number of positions and I am proud of 
      my accomplishments.  I hope that my mistake will 
      be weighed against the service and contributions 
      that I have made.


            ///end act///

But the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence panel was 
not forgiving.  Alabama Republican Richard Shelby said 
the committee is - - in his words - - "deeply 
troubled."

            ///Shelby act//

      We know he is a bright man.  He served the 
      government for a long time. But he wasn't 
      serving it very well when this went on.


            ///end act///

He said Mr. Deutch's explanation to the committee was 
not satisfactory.  And he indicated the panel will 
continue to look into the matter for some time.  
Senator Shelby said it is too early to talk about 
legal action, but he did not rule it out.  (Signed)


NEB/PT    







22-Feb-2000 18:41 PM EDT (22-Feb-2000 2341 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.