November 8, 2010
We have seen inrecent months a damaging spate of media leaks on a wide range of nationalsecurity issues. WikiLeaks is but one egregious example. In some cases, CIAsources and methods have been compromised, harming our mission and endangeringlives.
When informationabout our intelligence, our people, or our operations appears in the media, itdoes incredible damage to our nation’s security and our ability to do our jobof protecting the nation. More importantly, it could jeopardize lives. For thisreason, such leaks cannot be tolerated. The Office of Security is directed tofully investigate these matters. Unauthorized disclosures of classifiedinformation also will be referred to the Department of Justice. Our governmentis taking a hard line, as demonstrated by the prosecutions of a former NationalSecurity Agency official, a Federal Bureau of Investigation linguist, and aState Department contractor.
Here at the Agency,we are a family, which means we depend on each other—sharing burdens, challenges,and successes. But sharing cannot extend beyond the limits set by law and the“need to know” principle. The media, the public, even former colleagues, arenot entitled to details of our work.
I would ask thatevery employee reflect on the responsibilities and privileges of service atCIA. Every officer takes a secrecy oath, which obligates us to protectclassified information while we serve at the Agency and after we leave. A vastmajority of officers live up to their oath, but even a small number of leakscan do great damage. Our adversaries benefit, while our credibility, ouroperations, and, ultimately, our ability to accomplish the mission all take ahit. Our sworn duty to the American people is to protect them and we must donothing to violate the law or that sacred pledge.
Leon E. Panetta
Source: CIA - No Implied Endorsement
We have seen inrecent months a damaging spate of media leaks on a wide range of nationalsecurity issues. WikiLeaks is but one egregious example. In some cases, CIAsources and methods have been compromised, harming our mission and endangeringlives.
When informationabout our intelligence, our people, or our operations appears in the media, itdoes incredible damage to our nation’s security and our ability to do our jobof protecting the nation. More importantly, it could jeopardize lives. For thisreason, such leaks cannot be tolerated. The Office of Security is directed tofully investigate these matters. Unauthorized disclosures of classifiedinformation also will be referred to the Department of Justice. Our governmentis taking a hard line, as demonstrated by the prosecutions of a former NationalSecurity Agency official, a Federal Bureau of Investigation linguist, and aState Department contractor.
Here at the Agency,we are a family, which means we depend on each other—sharing burdens, challenges,and successes. But sharing cannot extend beyond the limits set by law and the“need to know” principle. The media, the public, even former colleagues, arenot entitled to details of our work.
I would ask thatevery employee reflect on the responsibilities and privileges of service atCIA. Every officer takes a secrecy oath, which obligates us to protectclassified information while we serve at the Agency and after we leave. A vastmajority of officers live up to their oath, but even a small number of leakscan do great damage. Our adversaries benefit, while our credibility, ouroperations, and, ultimately, our ability to accomplish the mission all take ahit. Our sworn duty to the American people is to protect them and we must donothing to violate the law or that sacred pledge.
Leon E. Panetta
Source: CIA - No Implied Endorsement
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