CIA fires 1, punishes 6 in bombing of Chinese Embassy in Belgrade

April 9, 2000
Web posted at: 4:04 p.m. EDT (2004 GMT)

From National Security correspondent David Ensor

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Central Intelligence Agency said it fired one employee and disciplined six others for their roles in the accidental bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, during the Kosovo conflict last year.

U.S. officials said punishment for those disciplined ranged from an oral warning to letters of reprimand, which preclude future promotions. An eighth CIA employee, assigned to another agency, also was expected to be reprimanded.

In a written statement released Saturday, CIA spokesman Bill Harlow said "while we can never undo the mistakes that led to the bombing, we are satisfied that the CIA has stood up -- both organizationally and individually -- and taken appropriate responsibility for our mistakes."

	VIDEO
National Security Correspondent David Ensor reports on the CIA's punishment of seven employees in connection with the mistaken bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the 1999 NATO air war. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

U.S.-Chinese relations have been shaky since the bombing last May, which occurred during NATO's 78-day air strike against Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and his forces. Three Chinese were killed in the bombing and 20 others were injured. U.S. officials said the intended target was the Yugoslavia supply headquarters.

Under pressure from the Chinese government and from Capitol Hill, CIA Director George Tenet issued an apology last July for what he said was a "tragic mistake."

"I've told my own people that we will not hide behind excuses such as stretched resources or time pressures," Tenet said. "It is precisely when the pressure is intense -- life or death decisions are being made -- that the President and the American public expect us to provide the best intelligence in the world. Clearly, in this case, we failed to do that."

Officials at the Pentagon tell CNN that no disciplinary action has been taken and none is expected in connection with the incident because the military believes the CIA is fully responsible.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs of P.R.China
Central Intelligence Agency
U.S. State Department
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Embassy in China
Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C.

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