(Warwick, R.I.) Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), member of the House Homeland Security and Armed Services Committees, today called for Congressional investigations into allegations uncovered in today’s New York Times describing a U.S. government website that posted sensitive details about Iraq’s former nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs. A similar letter was also sent to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

“I am keenly aware of the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction to our citizens, our interests and our allies, and I have a responsibility to prevent the dissemination of any sensitive documents and information that could be used in a future attack against our homeland,” stated Langevin, ranking member on the Homeland Subcommittee on the Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack. “The U.S. has made it a top priority to safeguard nuclear materials and to prevent terrorist organizations and state sponsors of terrorism from obtaining the materials, technology and information needed to develop their own WMD capabilities and this development seemingly flies in the face of those efforts.”
 
According to experts quoted in the article, the “Operation Iraqi Freedom Document Portal” contained specific information and detailed instructions about how to develop nuclear and chemical weapons.

Because of the serious concerns raised in the article, Langevin called for a Congressional investigation into how such a significant breach occurred, what sensitive information was posted on the website, whether any foreign agents or terrorist organizations accessed the pages, and what potential harm can come from this breach.  Langevin believes that, no later than the week of November 13, the Homeland Security, Armed Services and Intelligence Committees should hold hearings as well as schedule classified briefings for committee members to provide a candid assessment of the scope of this problem. 

Langevin also sent a letter to John D. Negroponte, Director of the National Intelligence Office, asking him to conduct a review of possible security breaches associated with the website.  He asked Ambassador Negroponte to work with the relevant intelligence agencies and the Department of Energy -- which has responsibility for the classification and declassification for information relating to nuclear technology -- to determine who authorized the website, whether the information posted was carefully reviewed for sensitive material, and whether the information has been used by foreign nations or terrorist groups to advance their own weapons programs. 

“Congress must demonstrate its serious commitment to preventing the proliferation of WMD,” continued Langevin. “We need immediate action to examine what failures occurred that led to such a major breach of security.”
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