The Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy
Statement by Vice Chairman Larry Combest
Before the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the United States Senate
May 7, 1997
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today. My short statement is a reaffirmation of comments made in the section of the Report entitled Vice Chairman's Foreword. That section was dedicated to my overall opinions of the Report.It was the charge of this Commission to suggest means to provide public access to secret information and protect the Government's need to safeguard national secrets. This was accomplished. The recommendations are sound and strike a proper balance.
It is the implementation of these recommendations that will ultimately determine whether we reached our goal. While I do state my concerns over being "too open," and the need to err on the side of secrecy, it is not the Report that I criticize, but I do state for historic purposes my concerns that the implementation of these recommendations be done properly.
It is really somewhat amazing that such a diverse group as this Commission could all agree on the final version of the Report. From the start, our goal was not necessarily only to be "in agreement," especiallyif that meant a "plain vanilla" Report. It was the Chairman's willingness to listen and include all the Commissioners' views that created an atmosphere where each Commissioner was fully confident that the final range of suggestions included his or her points.
Someday when the new system of classification and declassification is in place, I believe it will work efficiently and effectively. Getting to that point is going to be difficult and expensive, and we must be extremely careful not to release any bit of information that needs to be kept secret. But, those challenges will exist with any change to the current system, yet I believe the long-term benefits outweigh the risks.
It is vital that Congress provide proper oversight. The transition from the current system to a new system must be carefully monitored and it must be done in "baby steps" rather than "giant leaps." While saying that, I also recognize that any change in Washington is slow in coming.
All, portions or none of these recommendations may be adopted. They will not be without controversy or opposition. But I would suggest that we carefully examine the basis for any opposition to see if it is based on sound judgment or on turf? The most difficult change to achieve is that which affects those who are changed. The Commission had no turf to protect.
As with almost any report, the wisdom of these recommendations will not be judged by those of us here, but by those who follow us.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to be here today.