Regarding a story in the media this morning questioning whether an investigation of former DCI John Deutch was impeded by senior officials, I would like to make the following points:

The bottom line is that a complete investigation was done, decisive action was taken and steps have been implemented to improve our security process. At the conclusion of the IG's investigation last August, I made the tough decision to suspend the security clearances of my former boss and predecessor. Copies of the IG report were provided to our Congressional oversight committees at that time.

The IG report did not conclude that anyone intentionally impeded the investigation. Had the IG any information to that effect, he would have had an obligation to refer the matter to the Justice Department. He did not do so.

The article in the newspaper this morning raised the rhetorical question: "Can the CIA police itself?" The answer is that we can and we did.