State Department Noon Briefing, October 3, 2000

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING
BRIEFER: PHILIP REEKER, DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN
STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM,
WASHINGTON, D.C. 1:05 P.M. EDT
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2000
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Q: The Senate voted last night to approve a bill which has the effect
of tightening the procedures concerning handling of classified
information. Do you have any comment?


MR. REEKER: I don't have anything specific on that bill. I think we
have all discussed security a great deal in recent weeks, and
certainly over the last several months since the Secretary's Town Hall
meeting in May. In August, we issued some fact sheets on domestic
security improvements that had been made, as well as steps taken
overseas to tighten up security aspect, to better implement
regulations, to follow procedures more closely. As you know, we have
established a comprehensive escort policy for all non-US Government
employee visitors to the Department. We have worked to enhance
computer safeguards and conducted security awareness briefings that
have been given to over 7,000 Department employees since May, and
various other steps that have been taken to improve physical security.


(The briefing was concluded at 1:35 P.M.)