Index

State Department Noon Briefing, October 3, 2000

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING BRIEFER: PHILIP REEKER, DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM, WASHINGTON, D.C. 1:05 P.M. EDT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2000 (ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED) Q: The Senate voted last night to approve a bill which has the effect of tightening the procedures concerning handling of classified information. Do you have any comment? MR. REEKER: I don't have anything specific on that bill. I think we have all discussed security a great deal in recent weeks, and certainly over the last several months since the Secretary's Town Hall meeting in May. In August, we issued some fact sheets on domestic security improvements that had been made, as well as steps taken overseas to tighten up security aspect, to better implement regulations, to follow procedures more closely. As you know, we have established a comprehensive escort policy for all non-US Government employee visitors to the Department. We have worked to enhance computer safeguards and conducted security awareness briefings that have been given to over 7,000 Department employees since May, and various other steps that have been taken to improve physical security. (The briefing was concluded at 1:35 P.M.)