Los Alamos Remains Committed to Security

Your Dec. 10 editorial, “Barn Door Open at the Lab,” unfairly tarnishes the reputations of Los Alamos National Laboratory and its work force of over 12,000. I know of no workforce more committed to national security than the dedicated people at Los Alamos. So to suggest that laboratory employees and management are tolerant of a climate of theft is grotesquely unfair. We never have tolerated, and never will tolerate, such an attitude.

Our audits have accounted for 99.8% or more of our $1-billion inventory of equipment. Compare that record to the best practices in private industry, where they often write off a higher percentage of total inventory. We acknowledge there have been times that a few employees have betrayed our trust. The laboratory has taken appropriate disciplinary action, including termination, where individuals have been shown to be involved in wrongdoing. We always cooperate fully with those investigating any wrongdoing. In addition, we have recently made improvements in our business systems that, we are confident, will greatly inhibit the potential for future abuse.

Regarding the two former employees who claim the laboratory has retaliated against them for uncovering these problems, I remain convinced that the decision to end their employment was the right one and that the several investigations now underway will eventually make it clear that no cover-up has taken place.

Finally, there has been no indication of any compromise of national security. For example, by comparing individual serial numbers, we have determined that none of the computers reported as missing contained any classified information. The laboratory’s compelling mission of enhancing global security, particularly in the wake of Sept. 11 and the current war on global terrorism, remains as important as ever to our nation. We believe that continued confidence in Los Alamos National Laboratory is justified.

John C. Browne

Director, Los Alamos

National Laboratory

Los Alamos, N.M.