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DoD News Briefing

Thursday, September 14, 2000 - 1:30 p.m. EDT
Presenter: Rear Adm. Craig Quigley, DASD

[...]

Barbara?

Q: Different subject slightly. Now that the Wen Ho Lee case appears to be concluded -- certainly the security of nuclear weapons data is of interest to the U.S. military and to this building. So, now that that has all been concluded, have you guys seen anything that changes your mind about this whole matter and that would change your view about -- that there was, in fact, a threat or -- a threat to the security of nuclear weapons data; do you still believe that?

Quigley: Would you ask that again? (Laughter.)

Q: The Wen Ho Lee case is now concluded. Nuclear weapons data -- the security of that data certainly is of interest to this building and to the U.S. military. Now that the case is concluded, has anything changed the view of this building that this case was about a threat to the security of nuclear weapons data? Do you have any different view; do you still believe that this case was about a threat to the security of nuclear weapons data?

Quigley: I understand where you're coming from.

I think I'd best answer the question by saying we are always concerned about the security of nuclear weapons data. If there is a belief that there has been a compromise of information that would either reveal some of the classified information relating to the design and construction of our own nuclear weapons and, worst case, to a potential adversary that could use it, of course we care.

So I'm not sure that Wen Ho Lee being released has a bearing one way or the other on whether or not we remain concerned about possible compromise.

Again, you're kind of talking about two different things, really. The concern remains. What may happen in the future with the legal specifics of Wen Ho Lee are a different issue.

Q: Let me try it one other way, then, perhaps more clearly. Do you believe that nuclear weapons data was compromised? Do you believe that the Chinese gained access to classified nuclear weapons data?

Quigley: I don't think we know that for sure. And I think that it's premature at this point to make a guess. I think that's a part of the ongoing process. His release from -- was a separate issue, really, based on the judge's perception of the evidence against him. And that's certainly within his prerogative to do that. But I don't think that would stop any continued investigation of possible compromise.

[...]

Source: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2000/t09142000_t0914asd.html




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