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DATE=2/22/2000 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=CONGRESS-CIA (L ONLY) NUMBER=2-259464 BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency has apologized for breeches of agency security. But as V-O-A'S Paula Wolfson reports, key members of the U-S Congress say the actions of John Deutch are inexcusable. TEXT: The controversy surrounds Mr.Deutch's use of agency computers during his tenure as Director from May 1995 to December 1996, and in the months that followed. According to an internal C-I-A investigation, he put highly classified documents on home and office computers linked to the internet, placing sensitive materials at risk. The investigators outlined their findings in a report made public by the Senate Intelligence Committee. The report says Mr. Deutch was aware of rules regarding handling of classified information. And it criticizes agency and administration officials for not doing enough to pursue the matter. As he emerged from a closed-door meeting with the Senate panel, John Deutch was contrite. ///Deutch first act/// I acknowledged and I apologized for the mistakes I made in using unclassified government computers for some of my classified work. At no time did I intend to violate security rules. And fortunately, there is no evidence of compromise (no evidence the classified information got into the wrong hands). ///end act/// Mr. Deutch said the C-I-A Director should be an example to others and above reproach. At the same time, he urged members of Congress to put his misdeeds in perspective. ///Deutch act// I have worked for this country for over forty years in a number of positions and I am proud of my accomplishments. I hope that my mistake will be weighed against the service and contributions that I have made. ///end act/// But the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence panel was not forgiving. Alabama Republican Richard Shelby said the committee is - - in his words - - "deeply troubled." ///Shelby act// We know he is a bright man. He served the government for a long time. But he wasn't serving it very well when this went on. ///end act/// He said Mr. Deutch's explanation to the committee was not satisfactory. And he indicated the panel will continue to look into the matter for some time. Senator Shelby said it is too early to talk about legal action, but he did not rule it out. (Signed) NEB/PT 22-Feb-2000 18:41 PM EDT (22-Feb-2000 2341 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .