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CNN Live Today

Tom Ridge Discuses New Department of Homeland Security

Aired June 12, 2002 - 14:45   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge has been meeting behind closed doors all day with congressional leaders. He's now addressing reporters. We're going to listen in.

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TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR: ... that means the federal government, the state and locals, along with the private sectors. So, we talked about those and many other related issues.

It was productive, it was substantive. It was done, I think in the kind of tone that reflects how this institution best operates. While there will be some disagreement. It was done in a very respectful way. And with a goal toward working our way through points of disagreement to a final product and that's a new department of homeland security.

QUESTION: ... do you expect him to make some changes? Do you see the president as somewhat flexible on his proposal?

RIDGE: I think the president very much appreciates and understands, one, the very positive reaction from both chambers and both parties with regard to the need to reorganize government within a new department of homeland security. And also understands as a former governor would, someone had to interact with the legislative branch that you send a proposal to the Legislature and it's a work in progress. There has to be some collaboration. Where it is -- who knows.

But I know there's a great deal of interest in dealing with the information sharing capacity and fusion capacity of the country. We have hearings that are presently going on with regard to 9/11 and what happened before. And the president has himself said, there are lessons learned there, some of them may be difficult and tough lessons. Let's make sure we don't require an adjustment or reorganization. Let's do it.

I think they can proceed on that course. Separate it apart from moving toward a consolidation of information within the federal government within this department. This department would be a customer of the CIA and of the FBI and of the NSA and of the drug enforcement agencies and of the Coast Guard and everybody else.

QUESTION: ... has suggested on that point of the FBI and CIA that we should consider folding them into the department. Do you have any thoughts on that?

RIDGE: Well, I think, again, I would just tell you that there's a concern that expressed by -- in both chambers, in both parties, that we take a look at the entire intelligence-gathering machinery of this country to make sure that it is organized and best-suited to maximize prevention capacity and detection capacity of this country.

Having said that, I believe the president feels that the CIA...

PHILLIPS: You've been listening to Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge as he's been meeting behind closed doors all day with congressional leaders, discussing the new security department proposal, saying it's going well but a lot of things to hammer out.

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