AFF/STATE DEPARTMENT: GENERAL INHERENCY EVIDENCE

BUSH SAYS HE WANTS TO FUND THE STATE DEPT. ENHANCEMENTS, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT HIS BUDGET INDICATES

Lee H. Hamilton, director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars April 30, 2001 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 11A HEADLINE: U.S. had better get on the ball and fortify State Department //VT2002acsln

Secretary of State Colin Powell has voiced a commitment to reforming the State Department, and President Bush has asked for money to improve embassy security and modernize the department's communications and information infrastructure.

Those are encouraging first steps. But I am concerned that the president's budget for international affairs calls for reduced funding in inflation-adjusted dollars between 2002 and 2006. That cut threatens to diminish our diplomats' ability to prevent conflicts, promote democracy and human rights and combat global threats like the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, environmental degradation and AIDS.

88% OF US EMBASSIES ARE NOT SECURE AND LACK INFORMATION CONNCTIVITY

Eighty-eight percent of U.S. embassies are not secure and susceptible to terrorist attack. More than 100 of them need major renovation or replacement.

Would you want to work at an office where you could not obtain information easily or communicate readily with your colleagues? Many State Department employees cannot. Ninety-two percent of our overseas posts have obsolete classified information networks. Personnel in some facilities cannot even e-mail each other.