FBI Official Says State Dept. Spies Cloaked as Press
An FBI official told a House hearing Thursday that foreign spies have unescorted access to the State Department by working undercover as news correspondents.
After the disclosure by Timothy D. Bereznay, an FBI section chief, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright ordered an investigation.
President Clinton agreed that the issue should be looked into and said it was the first time he had heard the allegation.
The revelation came amid unprecedented concern over security at the State Department, owing to a number of lapses over the last two years.
Bereznay, testifying before the House International Relations Committee, implied that some foreign agents with press credentials represent hostile powers.
The State Department said press credentials have been issued to 56 foreign media representatives.
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