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CNN Live Today

Interview with Security Expert Peter Orszag

Aired May 17, 2002 - 14:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, ANCHOR: A recent study takes an in-depth look at what has been done since 9/11 and what is still lacking. One of the authors of that report, Peter Orszag, is from the Brookings Institution, joins us live from D.C. as well. Peter, good afternoon.

PETER ORSZAG, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: Good afternoon.

HEMMER: Are we safer today than we were on September 10?

ORSZAG: Absolutely. We are much safer today than we were before the attacks, but we're still not as safe as we could be, even recognizing that we can never be perfectly safe. We can be much more safe than we are now.

HEMMER: We have two different sets of graphics that we want to share with our viewers and break down the study, essentially. The first one about the improvements. Airport security, federal buildings, bioterrorism. In a nutshell, Peter, tell us what has been done to make all three areas better?

ORSZAG: There are major activities in airports. Everyone is aware of the new activities with the transportation security agency in bioterrorism. The government has substantially expanded the national pharmaceutical stockpile and try to make sure that we have enough vaccines around to treat people. But even in those areas there still are big gaps that need to be filled and that is not even dealing with other areas where there has been less progress thus far.

HEMMER: Many will say we have a long way to go. The shortfalls now, a bit of a longer list. This is what your study has found needs improvement. First three, response strategy, information systems and integration. Port inspections, it continues on the next graphic, chemical facilities, nuclear facilities, air systems and public facilities. There is an awful lot to chew on right there, Peter. I am wondering where we start.

ORSZAG: That's one of the big questions. Governor Ridge himself recognizes that we still have a long way to go, and in order to guide these efforts we need some sort of overarching strategies -- where do you put your dollars, what are the most important priorities.

The administration will be coming out with an overall strategy some time this summer and we all really await that overall framework so we can see how the pieces are supposed to fit together. HEMMER: Already there seems to be this story developing from Washington that the CIA and the FBI, once again, have failed to get together and communicate on certain areas that in hindsight right now look extremely critical. Were you critical of that in your report and were there suggestions offered?

ORSZAG: We talk a lot about how there need to be much better data sharing and expanded use of information technologies, not only across federal agencies, but also between the federal government and the private sector and between the federal government and state and local government.

In order to do that, unfortunately, we are going to have to spend more money on information technologies, much more, for example, than the Bush Administration is putting forward in its budget for next year.

HEMMER: In the quick time we have left, have you examined the possibility of suicide bombers in this country? Maybe not necessarily taking a plane, or taking a plane, or doing it in some other form?

ORSZAG: That is one of the hardest things to counter. Basically it is impossible to protect every school, every child care center in the United States.

Our best hope for countering suicide bombers is to expand law enforcement and the FBI and border security to stop those potential bombers from getting to their targets in the first place.

HEMMER: Peter, thank you. Peter Orszag, Brookings Institution. It continues to be a wide-open issue. Good luck. Come back and tell us what more needs to be done, in terms of progress we are making. Thank you, Peter. Have a good weekend.

ORSZAG: Thank you.

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