DEFENSE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING
BRIEFER: ADM. CRAIG QUIGLEY, SPOKESMAN
PENTAGON BRIEFING ROOM,
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 1:30 P.M. EDT
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2000


Q: Different subject slightly. Now that the Wen Ho Lee case appears to
be concluded -- certainly the security of nuclear weapons data is of
interest to the U.S. military and to this building. So, now that that
has all been concluded, have you guys seen anything that changes your
mind about this whole matter and that would change your view about --
that there was, in fact, a threat or -- a threat to the security of
nuclear weapons data; do you still believe that?


Quigley: Would you ask that again? (Laughter.)



Q: The Wen Ho Lee case is now concluded. Nuclear weapons data -- the
security of that data certainly is of interest to this building and to
the U.S. military. Now that the case is concluded, has anything
changed the view of this building that this case was about a threat to
the security of nuclear weapons data? Do you have any different view;
do you still believe that this case was about a threat to the security
of nuclear weapons data?


Quigley: I understand where you're coming from.



I think I'd best answer the question by saying we are always concerned
about the security of nuclear weapons data. If there is a belief that
there has been a compromise of information that would either reveal
some of the classified information relating to the design and
construction of our own nuclear weapons and, worst case, to a
potential adversary that could use it, of course we care.


So I'm not sure that Wen Ho Lee being released has a bearing one way
or the other on whether or not we remain concerned about possible
compromise.


Again, you're kind of talking about two different things, really. The
concern remains. What may happen in the future with the legal
specifics of Wen Ho Lee are a different issue.


Q: Let me try it one other way, then, perhaps more clearly. Do you
believe that nuclear weapons data was compromised? Do you believe that
the Chinese gained access to classified nuclear weapons data?


Quigley: I don't think we know that for sure. And I think that it's
premature at this point to make a guess. I think that's a part of the
ongoing process. His release from -- was a separate issue, really,
based on the judge's perception of the evidence against him. And
that's certainly within his prerogative to do that. But I don't think
that would stop any continued investigation of possible compromise.