Richardson's message for lab workers: "No more leaks"  MESSAGE BOARD: Nuclear secrets

June 16, 1999
Web posted at: 5:59 PM EDT (2159 GMT)

From Justice Department Correspondent Pierre Thomas

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said Wednesday he has ordered a two-day stand down at three nuclear weapons laboratories to review their security procedures in the wake of the Chinese espionage scandal.

The shutdown affects the Los Alamos and Sandia nuclear weapons laboratories in New Mexico and the Lawrence Livermore nuclear research facility in California.

During the shutdowns, Richardson wants discussions to take place with laboratory personnel on the culture of the nuclear research program and why it is so resistant to change.

"I want to send a message to all lab employees, every single one of them, that security is important, that I want your attention, that I want you to permanently give your attention to security so we don't have leaks anymore," Richardson told CNN.

"I'm also sending a message to the Congress and the American people that we will do everything we can to guard our nation's secrets."

Richardson also has hired retired Air Force Gen. Eugene Habiger to oversee security at U.S. nuclear weapons facilities.

Habiger is the former commander in chief of the U.S. Strategic Command, which is responsible for all U.S. Air Force and Navy strategic nuclear forces.

A report commissioned by President Clinton and released Monday found the Energy department "incapable of reforming itself."

Allegations of Chinese espionage and a series of searing reports criticizing lab security have Senate Republicans calling for dramatic changes. The proposals, which have been opposed by Richardson, include the creation of either a new agency to oversee the nuclear weapons labs or a separate Energy Department division with more authority to improve security.

Richardson says he's already addressing many of the concerns. In recent weeks, he announced the creation of a new Office of Security and Emergency Operations, which will combine fragmented divisions dealing with security affairs, the lab visitor program, cyber security and emergency operations.

To make certain the policies and requirements developed by the new office are actually enforced, Energy Department officials will expand the security oversight office, which does on-site inspections. The expanded office will be elevated in status and will report directly to the Energy secretary.

Energy officials are also planning a new office to oversee the reporting and tracking of plutonium, uranium and other "special materials."

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