"Waas" up?! Where are those 20,000 CIA documents?

DRUDGE REPORT
TUE NOV 24 1998 23:52:09 UTC

WHITE HOUSE PANIC; MASSIVE LEAK OF NATIONAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS

**World Exclusive*

WASHINGTON -- The Clinton administration is facing the most massive leak of classified foreign policy documents since the publication of the Pentagon papers more than two decades ago during the Vietnam war, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

"The impeachment proceedings are going to have seemed like a picnic, before we get though with this," said one White House official.

The papers, totaling more than 20,000 pages, according to sources who have read them, include a history of the secret negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea, describing the failed policy of trying to buy off North Korea to forego its nuclear weapons policy. They describe in great detail the intelligence and policy failures that led to the detonations of nuclear weapons by India and Pakistan this year.

Most embarrassing, the papers appear to corroborate, according to sources who have read them, allegations by a former U.N. arms inspector that the Clinton administration concealed from Congress and the public details regarding Saddam Hussein's ambitious program to develop nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.

The papers also reveal new details on the Clinton policy towards China in which the White House allowed ballistic missile technology exports to China at the behest of wealthy Democratic campaign contributors.

News of the massive leak of classified foreign policy documents caught senior White House officials by surprise on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend... MORE

Two Washington newspaper editors have reviewed the papers, which have been obtained by left-wing reporter Murray Waas.

Waas has been holding the documents close, according to one media insider. Some in Washington speculate that Waas does not want to write a major expose about the Clinton administration in the midst of the impeachment hearings, fueling the flames for conservatives.

The new leaks appear to be indicative of deep dissatisfaction within the foreign policy establishment regarding Clinton policies.

There have been other unprecedented leaks as well: most notably, a James Risen story in the NEW YORK TIMES earlier this week about the disregarding of a CIA assessment of Russian corruption by Vice President Al Gore. Some see an organized attempt by dissidents to discredit the Clinton foreign policy.

Ironically, the Clinton White House might have a hard time attacking one of their favorite reporters: During the 1992 presidential campaign, both Clinton and Gore often praised Waas exclusives exposing the Bush administration's Iraq policy, which involved the leaks of thousands of pages of classified papers regarding the Gulf war. "

"News of the massive leak of classified foreign policy documents caught senior White House officials by surprise on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend..."

I am tired of waiting. . .as well.

And I am more than tired of 'WhiteHouse' officials being surprised by what their opposition is capable of.

What is their learning curve here?

So dangerously low as to allow such national security breeches; apparently. And no political will for follow-up and follow-through.

It is outrageous.

Probably the same staff working now; as then. . .and with a pay-raise for 2005. . .and Sandy Berger is probably jogging round the Eiffel Tower as we speak. . .Wherever he is; it is not where he belongs.

"Wasn't there anyone watching the store during the Clinton admin.?"

Not to worry, wolfcreek. This guy below was certainly in charge! I can't locate that great Bill Richardson/Los Alamos/nuke secret/fast-food/ drive through jpg that more perfectly answers your question, but I found this:

Important Memo

IMPORTANT MEMO: Los Alamos National Laboratory

To: All staff, Los Alamos National Laboratory

From: Bill Richardson, Secretary of Energy

Dear staff members:

Due to an unfortunate overreaction by the Republican Congress to our minor difficulties in the security area, we’re being forced to tighten up just a bit.

Effective Monday:

The brown paper bag in which we store the computer disk drives that contain the nation’s nuclear secrets will no longer be left on the picnic table at the staff commissary during lunch hour. It will be stored in “the vault.” I know this is an inconvenience to many of you, but it’s a sad sign of the times.

The three-letter security code for accessing “the vault” will no longer be “B-O-B.” To confuse would-be spies, that security code will be reversed. Please don’t tell anybody.

Visiting scientists and graduate students from Libya, North Korea and mainland China will no longer be allowed to wander the hallways without proper identification. Beginning Monday, they will be required to wear a stick-on lapel tag that clearly states, “Hello, My Name Is ….” The stickers will be available at the front desk.

The computer network used for scientific calculations will no longer be hyperlinked via the Internet to such Web sites as www.moammar.com, www.swedechicks.com, or www.hackers-r-us.com. Links to all Disney sites will be maintained, however.

Researchers bearing a security clearance of Level 5 and higher will no longer be permitted to exchange updates on their work by posting advanced-physics formulas on the men’s room walls.

On “Bowling Night,” please check your briefcases and laptop computers at the front counter of the Bowl-a-Drome instead of leaving them in the cloakroom. Mr. Badonov, the front-counter supervisor, has promised to “keep un eye on zem” for us.

Staff members will no longer be allowed to take home small amounts of plutonium, iridium or uranium for use in those “little weekend projects around the house.” That includes you parents who are helping the kids with their science fair projects.

Thermonuclear devices may no longer be checked out for “recreational use.” We’ve not yet decided if exceptions will be made for Halloween, the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve. We’ll keep you posted.

Employees may no longer “borrow” the AA batteries from the burglar alarm system to power their Game Boys and compact-disc players during working hours.

And, finally, when reporting for work each day, all employees must enter through the front door. Raoul, the janitor, will no longer admit employees who tap three times on the side door to avoid clocking in late.

I know this crackdown might seem punitive and oppressive to many of you, but it is our sworn duty to protect the valuable national secrets that have been entrusted to our care.

Remember: Security isn’t a part-time job — it’s an imperative, all 37 1/2 hours of the week!

Sincerely,

BILL RICHARSON

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