Missing nuclear secrets found at Los Alamos

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http://www.nandotimes.com/front/story/0,1108,500217102-500308259-501714920-0,00.html


The Associated Press


WASHINGTON (June 16, 2000 6:12 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - Two
computer hard drives containing nuclear secrets from the Los Alamos
weapons lab were found within the confines of the lab's secure area and
are being evaluated, the Energy Department announced Friday.

Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said the two hard drives, which
disappeared more than six weeks ago, were "found within the secure areas
of X Division which houses the vault" where they had previously been kept.

Despite the discovery, Richardson said the investigation into their
disappearance continues. He said that while the devices have been found,
"their authenticity" was still being evaluated.

The computer devices contained an array of information on dismantling
nuclear bombs.

It was not clear specifically where within the Los Alamos compound the
drives were located. the area "is being treated as a crime scene by the
FBI," a department statement said.

The disappearance of the hard drives set off an uproar when it was
disclosed Monday. The House Intelligence Committee on Friday called the
disappearance "a major failure" and a "potentially devastating compromise
... in national security."

Richardson said the FBI was evaluating the devices regarding their
authenticity and that "an intensive investigation" was continuing to find
out how they were apparently misplaced.

While some concerns were eased because the devices were discovered within
the highly secure confines of the "X Division" - where nuclear designers
work - Richardson said he would "continue to aggressively pursue" the
matter.

"There will be accountability and disciplinary actions regarding the Los
Alamos incident," he said in a statement.

The FBI has begun a criminal investigation into the disappearance. Six Los
Alamos lab managers have been put on leave with pay.

The devices were last seen May 7, when the vault in which they were kept
was examined. The disappearance was not reported to top lab officials
until May 31 and to the Energy Department the next day.

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