Nanos directs swift action, demands accountability in new classified media incident

Contact: Kevin Roark, knroark@lanl.gov, (505) 665-0582 (04-066)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., July 9, 2004 -- During a July 7 special inventory associated with an upcoming experiment, two items of Classified Removable Electronic Media (CREM) were discovered missing from the Weapons Physics (WP) Directorate. An immediate search did not locate the items. A subsequent and extensive search is currently continuing.

"Security is of the utmost importance to the laboratory. In order to operate effectively, this apparent lack of attention to CREM issues must be dealt with swiftly and decisively," said G. Peter Nanos, Laboratory Director. "At my direction there will be a full inquiry into how and why this has occurred and I intend to exercise my authority as director to hold those involved fully accountable, up to and including termination of employment, if appropriate.

"Our ability to safeguard classified materials rests first and foremost with the individual staff members who handle, maintain and use these items," said Nanos. "In all cases, they have been given a special confidence and trust that requires meticulous attention to detail, strict adherence to all relevant standards and procedures and, most importantly, an attitude that drives zero tolerance for error."

Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration officials have been notified of this incident. Laboratory security specialists have initiated a full inquiry. Facility entry has been suspended for a small number of Laboratory personnel, those with access to the missing items. Those personnel may currently enter their workplace only under escort. A work stand-down is in effect for a portion of WP. The stand-down will be lifted when Laboratory and NNSA management validate that appropriate measures to correct the problems have been taken.

"From an institutional perspective, under the guidance of the University of California, the laboratory has taken significant steps to reduce CREM inventory, reevaluate our procedures, retool our processes and retrain our personnel. While we have seen progress and we expect that these new policies and procedures will address many of the security concerns, it remains clear that more work at the laboratory needs to be done," said Nanos. "However, once again, the failure of individuals to follow prescribed standards and protocols has brought disrepute to Los Alamos. As director of this national security laboratory I want everyone to understand - if you can't keep track of classified materials, you can't work here.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos develops and applies science and technology to ensure the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent; reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction, proliferation and terrorism; and solve national problems in defense, energy, environment and infrastructure.

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