DATE=5/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS/STATE DEPARTMENT SECURITY (L)
NUMBER=2-262248
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 


INTRO:   U-S law enforcement officials says foreign 
intelligence agents posing as journalists are being 
granted unescorted access to the U-S State Department.  
The revelation emerged during testimony before the U-S 
Congress.  Lawmakers are probing security concerns at 
the State Department, following a series of 
embarrassing security breaches, including the recent 
disappearance of a laptop computer loaded with top 
secret information.  VOA's Paula Wolfson reports.


TEXT:  Federal law enforcement officials say they have 
identified foreign spys working as journalists at the 
state department.

Tim Bereznay -- a top F-B-I official -- indicates the 
foreign intelligence officers were discovered in the 
course of ongoing investigations. 

            ///Berezney act///

      If asked, the F-B-I would be willing to identify 
      to the State Department permanent media badge 
      holders identified as hostile intelligence 
      officers so that their access could be 
      restricted or their visits monitored.

            ///end act///

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says she is 
anxious to see the F-B-I report.

            ///Albright act///

      I think what we have to do is be very strict 
      about this.  We have a serious problem.

            ///end act///

The disclosure came during a congressional hearing. 
State Department security chief David Carpenter told 
members of the House International Relations 
Committee, that reporters are supposed to be 
restricted to the first two floors of the department 
headquarters.  He said he would like to see the 
pressroom moved outside the complex.

            ///Carpenter act///

      I am not a diplomat.  I was hired to be a 
      security officer.  If it was within my power, I 
      would not have the press actually in that 
      building.

            ///end act///

Committee members responded to the new revelations 
with a mix of frustration and anger.   California 
Republican Dana Rohrabacher -- a strong critic of the 
Clinton administration -- was blunt.

            ///Rohrabacher act///

      We have got intelligence agents posing as 
      members of the press running around the building 
      unescorted.  Something is screwy here.

            ///end act///

The State Department's internal investigator joined in 
the criticism, though her rhetoric was more 
restrained.  Inspector General Jacquelyn Williams-
Bridges says her inquiry found numerous security 
lapses and a lack of accountability.  (signed)

NEB/PW/KBK



11-May-2000 16:51 PM EDT (11-May-2000 2051 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.