(Washington Post, 17 April) A laptop computer containing top-secret information vanished from the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research more than a week ago, and the FBI is investigating whether it was stolen, a senior State Department official said. The laptop's disappearance from a supposedly secure conference room at the department has set off an intense effort to recover the computer and a search for suspects, including contractors who have been renovating the area. Another person familiar with the incident said that the missing computer contains "code word" information, and that it includes sensitive intelligence information and plans. A senior State Department official said that it remained unclear whether the laptop was misplaced or stolen and that, if it was stolen, whether the thief realized the sensitivity of the material it contained or took it simply for the value of the hardware. The official added that the laptop's disappearance was not the result of poor security procedures, but rather the failure of State employees to follow those procedures. He said it appeared that some contractors had not been properly escorted when working in the building. IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you are not using HushMail, this message could have been read easily by the many people who have access to your open personal email messages. Get your FREE, totally secure email address at http://www.hushmail.com.
