Legislative proposals regarding diplomatic security

US Department of State Bulletin, Jan, 1986

The panel made 12 recommendations concerning the adequacy of both the local contract guard forces protecting the perimeter of our missions and residences, and the Marine Security Guard program which provides internal security for our posts. The panel concluded that we must improve the training and competence of our local guard forces. Funding for these guard forces is now being consolidated in the new Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

The Department has already sent training teams overseas to instruct local guard forces. We are preparing a manual for our guard forces worldwide. We are providing regional security officers (RSOs) additional training on the management of local guard forces.

The panel recommended the assignment of Marine Security Guards to all embassies and other posts with major classified holdings. The panel also recommended increased training for the Marines and for the post security officers. Marines are now being assigned to all sensitive posts. At those posts where, because of size or limited American presence, it is not feasible to post Marines, we are reducing the amount of classified and sensitive equipment. We support Marine Corps requests for additional resources needed to implement this recommendation.

Security Construction Program

Finally, I would like to address the proposed building program. The security construction program is the cornerstone of our secutiy enhancement effort. It is designed to protect our facilities and personnel against both terrorists and espionage. Our present capital construction program is woefully inadequate. The serious security and safety concerns identified by the Inman panel at over half of our embassies and consulates overseas point out the urgency of this massive security construction program. We must renovate or replace those buildings which do not meet minimal security standards. Significant additional resources will be needed to carry out this program.

We are improving the physical security of our facilities abroad. The National Academy of Sciences is now developing design criteria for physical security for the "Embassy of the Future." Security specialists are designing new construction materials and techniques which will minimize the effects of a bomb blast. Perimeter security standards are being promulgated.

To implement the vital security recommendation outlined in the panel's report, we must undertake a massive security construction program. Our initial planning for this work centers on almost 200 individual facilities. We will have to construct many new chanceries, consulates, and offices and rehabilitate or relocate many others. Some may be closed. This will be a multibillion-dollar program.

To date, there have been some other significant accomplishments of which the bureau is pround. The "Coping With Violence" seminar will be expanded to a second day by January 1986. The training of the instructors has begun with the Marine Corps providing a training workshop for 12 participants, six of whom will be members of the Diplomatic Security Service. The target date for this workshop is early January 1986. A week long curriculum has been developed for post security officer training.