The case marked the third time that an FBI
agent has been accused of espionage, and it
brought a quick reaction from President Bush
and members of Congress on Tuesday.
"Allegations of espionage are a reminder that
we live in a dangerous world, a world that
sometimes does not share American values,"
Bush said in a statement he read to reporters
on Air Force One. Declaring that espionage
remains a threat to the nation even with the
Cold War gone, the president added: "To
anyone who would betray its trust, I warn
you, we'll find you and we'll bring you to
justice."
"This could be a very, very, very serious case
of espionage," said Sen. Richard Shelby,
R-Ala., chairman of the Senate Intelligence
Committee. "Here's an agent who is a
veteran of the FBI, who's been doing
counterintelligence for a long time. He knows
a lot. He could have given them a lot."
Freeh told a news conference: "The full
extent of the damage done is yet unknown,
because no accurate damage assessment
could be done during the course of the covert
investigation without jeopardizing it. We
believe, however, that it was exceptionally
grave. The criminal conduct alleged
represents the most traitorous actions
imaginable against a country governed by the
rule of law."
Freeh said security measures need to be
tightened, and he ordered an internal review
to be headed by William Webster, a former
FBI and CIA director.
"We don't say, at this stage ... that we have
a system that can prevent this type of
conduct," Freeh said.
Hanssen, a 25-year FBI agent, was arrested
Sunday night at a park in suburban Virginia
after dropping a package of documents for
his Russian contacts, authorities said. FBI
agents confiscated $50,000 hidden for him at
a nearby drop site.
An FBI affidavit alleged that Hanssen
betrayed his country for about $1.4 million in
cash and diamonds.
A court hearing was set for March 5 for the
father of six, who was charged with
espionage and conspiracy to commit
espionage. Hanssen, who could face the
death penalty, appea