'Highly classified' State Department computer missing

Laptop was in bureau that analyzes information

The Bureau of Intelligence and Research is an internal intelligence analysis unit. It receives information from the intelligence community, U.S. embassies and such sources as newspapers, magazines and television reports, then distills them for diplomatic rather than military needs.

The bureau is responsible for handling all top-secret reports at the State Department. Dozens of analysts work there and are responsible for certain regions or specific subject matters.

The missing computer contained information classified in the most sensitive category. U.S. officials say there is concern some of the information on the computer was so-called "code- word" material -- a classification higher than top secret.

The officials caution they are not sure the computer was stolen but say the State Department has an inventory and security problem, given that this laptop was used in and possibly taken from a secure area.

No comment on who might have computer

Rubin declined to elaborate on who might have the laptop, including department employees and contract workers renovating the bureau's offices.

"It wasn't necessarily a single person's computer," said one senior official.

Rubin said protecting classified and sensitive information is a top priority at the State Department.

"The safeguarding of sensitive information is the personal responsibility of every employee in every bureau," he said. "It is critically important to the U.S. national security that our employees take this responsibility seriously and take the necessary steps to protect this information."

Other State Department officials said it is the responsibility of each office to monitor its security and to escort non-department visitors.

After the laptop was discovered missing, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright asked the head of Diplomatic Security, David Carpenter, to review State Department security procedures.

"He has put together a team of security experts. The review began in March and is expected to be completed shortly," said Rubin.

High-ranking congressman calls for security hearings

The revelation led Rep. Charles Gilman, R-N.Y., chairman of the House International Relations Committee, to call for hearings in May into security lapses at the State Department.

Gilman said in a statement that the Bureau of Intelligence and Research was found by the State Department's inspector general last year to be "not in compliance" with several security procedures.

"The missing laptop is the latest in a long string of security failures at the State Department. It is obvious that the department lacks a professional environment that is sensitive to security," Gilman said.

Russian diplomat Stanislav Borisovich Gusev was expelled from the State Department last December after reportedly being caught gathering department information with an eavesdropping device.

In 1998, a man walked into the State Department executive secretary's office -- just six doors away from Albright's office -- picked up a bundle of classified briefing materials in plain view of two secretaries, and left.

"Such security lapses are not acceptable. Whatever changes are necessary at the State Department to better protect our nation's secrets should be undertaken," Gilman said.