CIA CRACK COCAINE REPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE							                

AG

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1998 						         

(202) 616 2777

TDD (202) 514 1888

 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO

ON THE RELEASE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S 

CIA CRACK COCAINE REPORT

 
	"Last December, I exercised my statutory authority under the Inspector General Act to
defer release of the Inspector General's report on the CIA crack controversy.  I did so for a
simple and important reason: to protect the integrity of an ongoing law enforcement operation.

 
	"I also pledged at that time to approve the release of the report ­ unchanged ­ whenever
the law enforcement concerns abated.  Because the investigation in question was recently
concluded, I have now approved the release of the report.

 
	"By delaying the report's release, federal law enforcement officials were able to protect
the integrity of a very important ­ though unrelated ­ investigation, as well as the safety of an
undercover agent, a confidential informant, and members of the informant's family.

 
	"The report released today was completed on December 17, 1997, and it has not been
changed.  My decision to delay its release was not taken lightly, and the circumstances demanded
nothing less.  But this delay takes nothing away from the importance of the Inspector General's
findings or the enormity of his task, and I am grateful to him and his office for their work and
their patience."

 
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