Political Quotes

“I am introducing legislation today designed to improve significantly the framework for the coordination, integration, and review of the United States effort to counteract a continuing serious problem of espionage by Americans and others. I believe that this legislation complements legislation already introduced by the chairman and vice chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, S. 1948, the Counterintelligence and Security Enhancements Act of 1994. In spite of a reordering of the world's balance of power, espionage against the national security and industrial security interests of the United States continues unabated. This espionage is being committed by current and former hostile nations, by some nations, friendly to the United States and by nongovernment entities operating in concert with their respective governments. In the past 3 months, the country has been focused on the arrest of CIA employee Aldrich Ames and his wife as an indication that espionage is alive and, unfortunately, well. While I do not intend to dwell on that case, I will note that the damage done by Mr. Ames is serious. In addition, efforts by the CIA and FBI to detect Mr. Ames have been uneven, not as well coordinated as I believe were necessary and have taken too long to bring this case to conclusion. Nine years is unacceptable and reflects serious flaws in our counterintelligence and security policies and capabilities.”