-Caveat Lector- Saturday June 19 11:22 AM ET Az. Sen. Calls for Energy Overhaul By H. JOSEF HEBERT Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional Republicans pressed their case Saturday for a reorganization of the Energy Department in response to the continuing controversy over the safeguarding of America's nuclear secrets. Using the weekly GOP radio address, Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., accused the Clinton administration of taking ``half measures'' in dealing with security at nuclear weapons laboratories. Kyl is one of three GOP senators who have proposed putting nuclear weapons programs under a largely autonomous agency within the Energy Department - an idea also urged this week by a panel of intelligence experts advising the president. Nevertheless, such a reorganization is being staunchly resisted by Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, who said he would recommend that the president veto any legislation creating such an agency. It's ``not good logic'' to insulate the nuclear weapons programs within a new ``fiefdom'' in the department, Richardson told reporters. But Kyl noted that a special panel of the president's own Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board this week, after a 90-day review of security at the Energy Department, recommended just such an agency, expressing doubt that without it, long-lasting security reforms would be possible. The panel, headed by former Republican Sen. Warren Rudman of New Hampshire, said the department has had a ``cavalier attitude'' about security for decades. It said while Richardson's moves to improve security were in the right direction, the department's ``bureaucracy is quite capable of undoing (these) reforms.'' ``We call upon the administration to cooperate with us, not to be satisfied with half measures,'' said Kyl in the Republican Party's weekly radio broadcast. ``Since our proposal is exactly what the president' own panel now has recommended, we hope that he and his secretary of energy will work with us to get our bill passed quickly.'' Richardson argues that creation of a ``new fiefdom'' within the department would hinder the beefed up, more centralized security and counterintelligence programs he has put in place. Earlier in the week he announced appointment of a four-star Air Force general as the department's first ``security czar'' who will reported directly to him. Questions about security at nuclear weapons facilities erupted in March as details from a congressional investigation began to surface, describing the loss of nuclear secrets to China in the 1980s and into the '90s. The controversy intensified after Richardson directed the firing of a scientists at the Los Alamos weapons lab in early March after he had been under investigation for possible espionage since 1996. The scientist, Wen Ho Lee, was fired for security violations, but has not been charged with any crime. Through his lawyer he has vehemently denied giving nuclear secrets to anyone. The FBI investigation on the Lee case continues. And the issue is not likely to go away soon. On Tuesday, four Senate committees will meet in joint session to hear Rudman describe his proposal for Energy Department reorganization. Richardson also is scheduled to testify. The House Commerce Committee also has planned a hearing on the Rudman report this week. -- The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them. - Henry David Thoreau DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
