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Originally Processed With FOIA(s): FOIA Number: S S FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential Library Staff. Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records Collection/Office of Origin: Speechwriting, White House Office of Series: Speech File Draft Files Subseries: Chron File, 1989-1993 OA/ID Number: 13565 Folder ID Number: 13565-002 Folder Title: NSA Awards 5/1/91 [OA 6032] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: G 26 17 1 1 NAME OF SPEECH & DATE OF SPEECH NSA 5/1/91 awards Cumony NAME OF WRITER : me Geoarty NAME OF RESEARCHER: Deoley SPEECH SYNOPSIS: POTUS thanks the U.S. "well beyond the limit in Desert intelligence Community for goung Storm". POTUS noted the other norwar related efforts made by the organization POTUS also signled out The contributions the Good expertise of This department of COMSEC. POTUS also thanked in helping Wild the was in resord time with low Casualities NSA AWARDS CEREMONY \ FORT MEADE, MARYLAND MAY 1, 1991 \ 10:30 A.M. THANK YOU, {ADMIRAL} BILL {STUDEMAN, NSA DIRECTOR}. DIRECTOR WEBSTER, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I COME HERE TODAY NOT AS A STRANGER TO YOUR CRAFT BUT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS A PRETTY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF INTELLIGENCE -- AND ABOVE ALL, AN APPRECIATION OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE HEART OF U.S. INTELLIGENCE CAPABILITIES. 2 - I UNDERSTAND THE EFFORT AND THE SACRIFICES YOU MAKE TO SERVE OUR NATION WITH THE BEST INTELLIGENCE IN THE WORLD. THERE IS NO DOUBT: YOU PERFORMED WELL BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IN DESERT STORM. AND DESERT STORM IS ONLY PART OF THE PICTURE. THE WORLD DID NOT STAND STILL WHILE WE FOUGHT IN THE GULF. - 3 - WE HAD DANGEROUS AND TROUBLING EVENTS IN THE SOVIET UNION AND THE BALTICS, A TRAGIC INCIDENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA WHEN OUR FLYERS WERE KILLED BY THE REBELS IN EL SALVADOR, AMERICAN CITIZENS AT RISK IN AFRICAN CIVIL WARS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER CRISES WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT PAGE IF DESERT STORM HAD NOT OVERSHADOWED THEM. You WERE THERE, TOO. You STRETCHED. You STRAINED. BUT YOU DIDN'T BREAK. You PROVIDED THE FIRST-RATE SUPPORT THAT'S LONG BEEN THE HALLMARK OF THE NSA. // - 4 - AND LET ME SINGLE OUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE COMSEC, THE COMPUTER SECURITY AND OPERATIONS SECURITY ELEMENTS OF NSA. THEY TOO RESPONDED WITH GREAT ENERGY AND EFFORT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE SECURE WHILE WE CONDUCTED THESE MOST SENSITIVE OPERATIONS. SUCCESS IN DESERT SHIELD -- VICTORY IN DESERT STORM -- WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR KEY CONTRIBUTIONS. - 5 - I COME HERE TODAY TO UNDERSCORE THAT FACT -- AND TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WHO PROVIDED CRUCIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SUPPORT OF OUR MILITARY, DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES. WHETHER YOU SERVED IN THE THEATER OF OPERATIONS, HERE IN THE STATES, OR IN OTHER POSTS OVERSEAS, MANY OF OUR SUCCESSES CAN BE SQUARELY ATTRIBUTED TO SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE. - 6 - CRITICISMS YOU MAY HAVE READ HAVE THE RING OF MONDAY-MORNING-QUARTERBACKS -- AND NOT VERY WELL INFORMED MONDAY-MORNING-QUARTERBACKS AT THAT. PERFECT HINDSIGHT DOESN'T HELP WHEN YOUR CHALLENGE IS PROVIDING REAL-TIME INTELLIGENCE. FROM WHERE I SAT, I SAW EXTREMELY DIFFICULT INTELLIGENCE TASKS PERFORMED WITH CREATIVITY, DETERMINATION, SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION. THE TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE WELL KNOWN AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BY THOSE OF US WHO KNOW THE FACTS. - 7 - ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, GENERAL SCHWARZKOPF -- HALF A WORLD AWAY -- DISCUSSED AND COORDINATED WITH US MAJOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF OUR FORCES, TEMPO, AND TARGET PRIORITIES. THESE DECISIONS WERE OFTEN BASED ON TIMELY SIGINT DATA. CLEARLY, THAT INTELLIGENCE -- YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE -- HELPED US WIN THE WAR IN RECORD TIME AND WITH VERY LIMITED CASUALTIES. LET ME ALSO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLIMENT THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S LEADERS. - 8 - MUCH OF THE CREDIT FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE COMMUNITY GOES TO THEM: BILL WEBSTER, WILLIAM SESSIONS, DICK KERR, ED SOYSTER OF DIA AND DOUG MULHOLLAND FROM STATE. AND I THINK BILL STUDEMAN DESERVES SPECIAL THANKS FOR HIS ROLE IN ALL OF THIS. To THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN NOMINATED TO RECEIVE AWARDS TODAY: YOU ARE STANDOUTS AMONG THE OUTSTANDING: STANDARD BEARERS FOR A TRULY MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE HERE AT NSA, AND THROUGHOUT THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY. - 9 - Now LET ME TURN THE PROGRAM BACK TO BILL STUDEMAN FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THESE WELL-DESERVED AWARDS. # # # THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 24, 1991 INFORMATION MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT THROUGH: TONY SNOW TS FROM: DAN MC GROARTY Danals SUBJECT: REMARKS AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY AWARDS CEREMONY SUMMARY: On Wednesday, May 1 you will attend the annual National Security Agency Awards Ceremony at the NSA, Fort Meade, MD. Your remarks will precede the presentation of the awards by Admiral Bill Studeman, Director of the NSA. The awards ceremony is closed to the press. DISCUSSION: Your remarks focus on the critical contribution of the Signal Intelligence to the success of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Your remarks will include a short classified section which has been left out of this staffed draft. # # # McGroarty/Dooley April 24, 1991 4:45 pm [NSA] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY FORT MEADE, MARYLAND MAY 1, 1991 TIME: TBD Thank you, {Admiral} Bill {Studeman, NSA Director}. Director Webster, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I come here today not as a stranger to your craft but as someone who has a pretty good understanding of intelligence -- and above all, an appreciation of the people who are the heart of U.S. intelligence capabilities. I understand the effort and the sacrifices you make to serve our nation with the best intelligence in the world. There is no doubt: you performed well beyond the call of duty in Desert Storm. And Desert Storm is only part of the picture. The world did not stand still while we fought in the Gulf. We had dangerous and troubling events in the Soviet Union and the Baltics, a tragic incident in Central America when our flyers were killed by the rebels in El Salvador, American citizens at risk in African civil wars, and numerous other crises which would have been on the front page if Desert Storm had not overshadowed them. You were there, too. You stretched. You strained. But you didn't break. You provided the first-rate support that's long been the hallmark of the NSA. // And let me single out the contributions of the COMSEC, the computer security and operations security elements of NSA. They too responded with great energy and effort to make sure we were secure while we conducted these most sensitive operations. Success in Desert Shield -- victory in Desert Storm -- would not have been possible without your key contributions. I come here today to underscore that fact -- and to say thank you to all the men and women of the intelligence community who provided crucial Signals Intelligence in support of our military, diplomatic and economic objectives. Whether you served in the theater of operations, here in the States, or in other posts overseas, many of our successes can be squarely attributed to Signals Intelligence. Criticisms you may have read have the ring of Monday-morning- quarterbacks -- and not very well informed Monday-morning- quarterbacks at that. Perfect hindsight doesn't help when your challenge is providing real-time intelligence. From where I sat, I saw extremely difficult intelligence tasks performed with creativity, determination, sacrifice and dedication. The true accomplishments are well known and very much appreciated by those of us who know the facts. * * * CLASSIFIED SECTION * * On several occasions, General Schwarzkopf -- half a world away -- discussed and coordinated with us major adjustments to the deployment of our forces, tempo, and target priorities. These decisions were often based on timely SIGINT data. Clearly, that intelligence -- your experience and expertise -- helped us win the war in record time and with very limited casualties. Let me also take this opportunity to compliment the Intelligence Community's leaders. Much of the credit for the success of the community goes to them: Bill Webster, Dick Kerr, Ed Soyster of DIA and Doug Mulholland from State. And I think Bill Studeman deserves special thanks for his role in all of this. To those who have been nominated to receive awards today: you are standouts among the outstanding: standard bearers for a truly magnificent performance here at NSA, and throughout the intelligence community. Now let me turn the program back to Bill Studeman for the presentation of these well-deserved awards. # # # McGroarty/Dooley April 23, 1991 2:30 pm [NSA] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY FORT MEADE, MARYLAND MAY 1, 1991 0:00 ? Thank you, {Admiral} Bill {Studeman, NSA Director}. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I come here today not as a stranger to your craft but as someone who has a pretty fair understanding of intelligence systems -- and above all, an appreciation of the people who are the heart of U.S. intelligence capabilities. I understand the effort and the sacrifices you make to serve our nation with the best intelligence in the world. I also understand that there are limits to our capabilities, and times when you're asked to go beyond the limits. There is no doubt: you went well beyond the limit in Desert Storm. And Desert Storm is only part of the picture. The world did not stand still while we fought in the Gulf. We had dangerous and troubling events in the Soviet Union and the Baltics, a tragic incident in Central America when our flyers were killed by the rebels in El Salvador, American citizens at risk in African revolutions, and numerous other crises which would have been on the front page if Desert Storm had not overshadowed them. You were there, too. You stretched. You strained. But you didn't break. You provided the first-rate support that's long been the hallmark of the NSA. // And let me single out the contributions of the COMSEC, the computer security and operations security elements of NSA. They too responded with great energy and effort to make sure we were secure while we conducted these most sensitive operations. Success in Desert Shield -- victory in Desert Storm -- would not have been possible without your key contributions. I come here today to underscore that fact -- and to say thank you to all the men and women who provided crucial Signals Intelligence in support of our military, diplomatic and economic objectives. Whether you served in the theater of operations, here in the States, or in other posts overseas, many of our successes can be squarely attributed to Signals Intelligence. The criticism you may have read have the ring of Monday- morning-quarterbacks -- and not very well informed Monday-morning- quarterbacks at that. Perfect hindsight doesn't help when your challenge is providing real-time intelligence. From where I sat, I saw extremely difficult intelligence tasks performed with creativity, determination, sacrifice and dedication. The true accomplishments are well known and very much appreciated by those of us who know the facts. * * CLASSIFIED SECTION On several occasions, General Schwarzkopf -- half a world away -- discussed and coordinated with us major adjustments to the deployment of our forces, tempo, and target priorities. These decisions were often based on timely SIGINT data. Clearly, that intelligence -- your experience and expertise -- helped us win the war in record time and with very limited casualties. Let me also take this opportunity to compliment the Intelligence Community's leaders. Much of the credit for the success of the community goes to them: Bill Webster, Dick Kerr, Ed Soyster of DIA and Doug Mulholland of State. And I think Bill Studeman deserves special thanks for his role in all of this. To those who have been nominated to receive awards today: you are standouts among the outstanding: standard bearers for a truly magnificent performance here at NSA, and throughout the intelligence community. Now let me turn the program back to Bill Studeman for the presentation of these well-deserved awards. # # # McGroarty/Dooley April 24, 1991 4:45 pm [NSA] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY FORT MEADE, MARYLAND MAY 1, 1991 TIME: TBD Thank you, {Admiral} Bill {Studeman, NSA Director}. Director Webster, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I come here today not as a stranger to your craft but as someone who has a pretty good understanding of intelligence -- and above all, an appreciation of the people who are the heart of U.S. intelligence capabilities. I understand the effort and the sacrifices you make to serve our nation with the best intelligence in the world. There is no doubt: you performed well beyond the call of duty in Desert Storm. And Desert Storm is only part of the picture. The world did not stand still while we fought in the Gulf. We had dangerous and troubling events in the Soviet Union and the Baltics, a tragic incident in Central America when our flyers were killed by the rebels in El Salvador, American citizens at risk in African civil wars, and numerous other crises which would have been on the front page if Desert Storm had not overshadowed them. You were there, too. You stretched. You strained. But you didn't break. You provided the first-rate support that's long been the hallmark of the NSA. // And let me single out the contributions of the COMSEC, the computer security and operations security elements of NSA. They too responded with great energy and effort to make sure we were secure while we conducted these most sensitive operations. Success in Desert Shield -- victory in Desert Storm -- would not have been possible without your key contributions. I come here today to underscore that fact -- and to say thank you to all the men and women of the intelligence community who provided crucial intelligence in support of our military, diplomatic and economic objectives. Whether you served in the theater of operations, here in the States, or in other posts overseas, many of our successes can be squarely attributed to Signals Intelligence. Criticisms you may have read have the ring of Monday-morning- quarterbacks -- and not very well informed Monday-morning- quarterbacks at that. Perfect hindsight doesn't help when your challenge is providing real-time intelligence. From where I sat, I saw extremely difficult intelligence tasks performed with creativity, determination, sacrifice and dedication. The true accomplishments are well known and very much appreciated by those of us who know the facts. On several occasions, General Schwarzkopf -- half a world away -- discussed and coordinated with us major adjustments to the deployment of our forces, tempo, and target priorities. These decisions were often based on timely SIGINT data. Clearly, that intelligence -- your experience and expertise -- helped us win the war in record time and with very limited casualties. Let me also take this opportunity to compliment the Intelligence Community's leaders. Much of the credit for the success of the community goes to them: Bill Webster, William Sessions, Dick Kerr, Ed Soyster of DIA and Doug Mulholland from State. And I think Bill Studeman deserves special thanks for his role in all of this. To those who have been nominated to receive awards today: you are standouts among the outstanding: standard bearers for a truly magnificent performance here at NSA, and throughout the intelligence community. Now let me turn the program back to Bill Studeman for the presentation of these well-deserved awards. # # # Document No. 232231 WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM 91 APR 26 A8:14 04/26/91 ---- DATE: ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY SUBJECT: (04/24 4:45 p.m. draft) ACTION FYI ACTION FYI VICE PRESIDENT MCCLURE SUNUNU PETERSMEYER SCOWCROFT PORTER DARMAN ROGICH BRADY SMITH BROMLEY UNTERMEYER CARD SNOW DEMAREST FITZWATER GRAY HOLIDAY REMARKS: The attached has been forwarded to the President. RESPONSE: PHILLIP D. BRADY Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary Ext. 2702 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON 91 APR 25 PM 12: 49 April 24, 1991 INFORMATION MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT THROUGH: TONY SNOW FROM: DAN MC GROARTY SUBJECT: REMARKS AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY AWARDS CEREMONY SUMMARY: On Wednesday, May 1 you will attend the annual National Security Agency Awards Ceremony at the NSA, Fort Meade, MD. Your remarks will precede the presentation of the awards by Admiral Bill Studeman, Director of the NSA. The awards ceremony is closed to the press. DISCUSSION: Your remarks focus on the critical contribution of the Signal Intelligence to the success of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. # # # McGroarty/Dooley April 24, 1991 4:45 pm APR 25 PM 3:53 [NSA] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY FORT MEADE, MARYLAND MAY 1, 1991 TIME: TBD Thank you, {Admiral} Bill {Studeman, NSA Director}. Director Webster, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I come here today not as a stranger to your craft but as someone who has a pretty good understanding of intelligence -- and above all, an appreciation of the people who are the heart of U.S. intelligence capabilities. I understand the effort and the sacrifices you make to serve our nation with the best intelligence in the world. There is no doubt: you performed well beyond the call of duty in Desert Storm. And Desert Storm is only part of the picture. The world did not stand still while we fought in the Gulf. We had dangerous and troubling events in the Soviet Union and the Baltics, a tragic incident in Central America when our flyers were killed by the rebels in El Salvador, American citizens at risk in African civil wars, and numerous other crises which would have been on the front page if Desert Storm had not overshadowed them. You were there, too. You stretched. You strained. But you didn't break. You provided the first-rate support that's long been the hallmark of the NSA. // And let me single out the contributions of the COMSEC, the' computer security and operations security elements of NSA. They too responded with great energy and effort to make sure we were secure while we conducted these most sensitive operations. Success in Desert Shield -- victory in Desert Storm -- would not have been possible without your key contributions. I come here today to underscore that fact -- and to say thank you to all the men and women of the intelligence community who provided crucial intelligence in support of our military, diplomatic and economic objectives. Whether you served in the theater of operations, here in the States, or in other posts overseas, many of our successes can be squarely attributed to Signals Intelligence. Criticisms you may have read have the ring of Monday-morning- quarterbacks --- and not very well informed Monday-morning- quarterbacks at that. Perfect hindsight doesn't help when your challenge is providing real-time intelligence. From where I sat, I saw extremely difficult intelligence tasks performed with creativity, determination, sacrifice and dedication. The true accomplishments are well known and very much appreciated by those of us who know the facts. On several occasions, General Schwarzkopf -- half a world away -- discussed and coordinated with us major adjustments to the deployment of our forces, tempo, and target priorities. These decisions were often based on timely SIGINT data. Clearly, that intelligence -- your experience and expertise -- helped us win the war in record time and with very limited casualties. Let me also take this opportunity to compliment the Intelligence Community's leaders. Much of the credit for the success of the community goes to them: Bill Webster, William Sessions, Dick Kerr, Ed Soyster of DIA and Doug Mulholland from State. And I think Bill Studeman deserves special thanks for his role in all of this. To those who have been nominated to receive awards today: you are standouts among the outstanding: standard bearers for a truly magnificent performance here at NSA, and throughout the intelligence community. Now let me turn the program back to Bill Studeman for the presentation of these well-deserved awards. # # # Document No. 232231SS WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM 91 APR 23 P5: 03 DATE: 4/23/91 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 4/24/91 2:00 PM SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY ACTION FYI ACTION FYI VICE PRESIDENT MCCLURE SUNUNU PETERSMEYER SCOWCROFT PORTER DARMAN ROGICH BRADY SMITH BROMLEY UNTERMEYER CARD SNOW DEMAREST N/C FITZWATER GRAY HOLIDAY REMARKS: Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930, no later than 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, with a copy to this office. Thank you. RESPONSE: PHILLIP D. BRADY Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary Ext. 2702 McGroarty/Dooley 91 APR 23 PM 3: 45 April 23, 1991 2:30 pm [NSA] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY FORT MEADE, MARYLAND MAY 1, 1991 0:00 ? Thank you, {Admiral} Bill {Studeman, NSA Director}. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I come here today not as a stranger to your craft but as someone who has a pretty fair understanding of intelligence systems -- and above all, an appreciation of the people who are the heart of U.S. intelligence capabilities. I understand the effort and the sacrifices you make to serve our nation with the best intelligence in the world. I also understand that there are limits to our capabilities, and times when you're asked to go beyond the limits. There is no doubt: you went well beyond the limit in Desert Storm. And Desert Storm is only part of the picture. The world did not stand still while we fought in the Gulf. We had dangerous and troubling events in the Soviet Union and the Baltics, a tragic incident in Central America when our flyers were killed by the rebels in El Salvador, American citizens at risk in African revolutions, and numerous other crises which would have been on the front page if Desert Storm had not overshadowed them. You were there, too. You stretched. You strained. But you didn't break. You provided the first-rate support that's long been the hallmark of the NSA. // And let me single out the contributions of the COMSEC, the computer security and operations security elements of NSA. They too responded with great energy and effort to make sure we were secure while we conducted these most sensitive operations. Success in Desert Shield -- victory in Desert Storm -- would not have been possible without your key contributions. I come here today to underscore that fact -- and to say thank you to all the men and women who provided crucial Signals Intelligence in support of our military, diplomatic and economic objectives. Whether you served in the theater of operations, here in the States, or in other posts overseas, many of our successes can be squarely attributed to Signals Intelligence. The criticism you may have read have the ring of Monday- morning-quarterbacks -- and not very well informed Monday-morning- quarterbacks at that. Perfect hindsight doesn't help when your challenge is providing real-time intelligence. From where I sat, I saw extremely difficult intelligence tasks performed with creativity, determination, sacrifice and dedication. The true accomplishments are well known and very much appreciated by those of us who know the facts. *** CLASSIFIED SECTION * On several occasions, General Schwarzkopf -- half a world away -- discussed and coordinated with us major adjustments to the deployment of our forces, tempo, and target priorities. These decisions were often based on timely SIGINT data. Clearly, that intelligence -- your experience and expertise -- helped us win the war in record time and with very limited casualties. Let me also take this opportunity to compliment the Intelligence Community's leaders. Much of the credit for the success of the community goes to them: Bill Webster, Dick Kerr, Ed Soyster of DIA and Doug Mulholland of State. And I think Bill Studeman deserves special thanks for his role in all of this. To those who have been nominated to receive awards today: you are standouts among the outstanding: standard bearers for a truly magnificent performance here at NSA, and throughout the intelligence community. Now let me turn the program back to Bill Studeman for the presentation of these well-deserved awards. # # # 3033 Document No. 232231SS WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM 91 APR 24 P4:21 DATE: 4/23/91 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 4/24/91 2:00 PM SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY ACTION FYI ACTION FYI VICE PRESIDENT MCCLURE SUNUNU PETERSMEYER SCOWCROFT PORTER DARMAN ROGICH BRADY SMITH BROMLEY UNTERMEYER CARD SNOW DEMAREST FITZWATER GRAY HOLIDAY REMARKS: Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930, no later than 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, with a copy to this office. Thank you. RESPONSE: April 24, 1991 The NSC concurs with changes as noted. Brent Ratesfa Scowcroft PHILLIP D. BRADY Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary Ext. 2702 CC: Philip Brady RECOVED 91 ARRAPR 28 4P. 48 48 I V6K51 69:51 McGroarty/Dooley 91 APR 23 PM 3:45 April 23, 1991 2:30 pm [NSA] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY FORT MEADE, MARYLAND MAY 1, 1991 0:00 ? Director Webster, Thank you, {Admiral} Bill {Studeman, NSA Director}. ^ Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I come here today not as a stranger to your craft but as someone who has a pretty fair good understanding of intelligence -- and above all, an appreciation of the people who are the heart of U.S. intelligence capabilities. I understand the effort and the sacrifices you make to serve our nation with the best intelligence in the world. I also understand that there are limits to our capabilities, and times when you're asked to go beyond the limits There is no doubt: you went well beyond the limit in Desert Storm performed above and beyond on the call of duty in Desert Storm. And Desert Storm is only part of the picture. The world did not stand still while we fought in the Gulf. We had dangerous and troubling events in the Soviet Union and the Baltics, a tragic incident in Central America when our flyers were killed by the rebels in El Salvador, American citizens at risk in African civil wars, revolutions, and numerous other crises which would have been on the front page if Desert Storm had not overshadowed them. You were there, too. You stretched. You strained. But you didn't break. You provided the first-rate support that's long been the hallmark of the NSA. // And let me single out the contributions of the COMSEC, the computer security and operations security elements of NSA. They too responded with great energy and effort to make sure we were secure while we conducted these most sensitive operations. Success in Desert Shield -- victory in Desert Storm -- would not have been possible without your key contributions. I come here today to underscore that fact -- and to say thank you to all the of the Intelligen Community men and women who provided crucial Signals Intelligence in support of our military, diplomatic and economic objectives. Whether you served in the theater of operations, here in the States, or in other posts overseas, many of our successes can be squarely attributed to Signals Intelligence. 5 criticis you may have read have the ring of Monday- morning-quarterbacks -- and not very well informed Monday-morning- quarterbacks at that. Perfect hindsight doesn't help when your challenge is providing real-time intelligence. From where I sat, I saw extremely difficult intelligence tasks performed with creativity, determination, sacrifice and dedication. The true accomplishments are well known and very much appreciated by those of us who know the facts. *** CLASSIFIED SECTION * * On several occasions, General Schwarzkopf -- half a world away -- discussed and coordinated with us major adjustments to the deployment of our forces, tempo, and target priorities. These decisions were often based on timely SIGINT data. Clearly, that intelligence -- your experience and expertise -- helped us win the war in record time and with very limited casualties. Let me also take this opportunity to compliment the Intelligence Community's leaders. Much of the credit for the success of the community goes to them: Bill Webster, Dick Kerr, Ed Soyster of DIA and Doug Mulholland of State. And I think Bill Studeman deserves special thanks for his role in all of this. To those who have been nominated to receive awards today: you are standouts among the outstanding: standard bearers for a truly magnificent performance here at NSA, and throughout the intelligence community. Now let me turn the program back to Bill Studeman for the presentation of these well-deserved awards. # # # staffed McGroarty/Dooley April 23, 1991 2:30 pm [NSA] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NSA AWARDS CEREMONY FORT MEADE, MARYLAND MAY 1, 1991 0:00 ? Thank you, {Admiral} Bill {Studeman, NSA Director}. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I come here today not as a stranger to your craft but as someone who has a pretty fair understanding of intelligence systems -- and above all, an appreciation of the people who are the heart of U.S. intelligence capabilities. I understand the effort and the sacrifices you make to serve our nation with the best intelligence in the world. I also understand that there are limits to our capabilities, and times when you're asked to go beyond the limits. There is no doubt: you went well beyond the limit in Desert Storm. And Desert Storm is only part of the picture. The world did not stand still while we fought in the Gulf. We had dangerous and troubling events in the Soviet Union and the Baltics, a tragic incident in Central America when our flyers were killed by the rebels in El Salvador, American citizens at risk in African revolutions, and numerous other crises which would have been on the front page if Desert Storm had not overshadowed them. You were there, too. You stretched. You strained. But you didn't break. You provided the first-rate support that's long been the hallmark of the NSA. // And let me single out the contributions of the COMSEC, the computer security and operations security elements of NSA. They too responded with great energy and effort to make sure we were secure while we conducted these most sensitive operations. Success in Desert Shield -- victory in Desert Storm -- would not have been possible without your key contributions. I come here today to underscore that fact -- and to say thank you to all the men and women who provided crucial Signals Intelligence in support of our military, diplomatic and economic objectives. Whether you served in the theater of operations, here in the States, or in other posts overseas, many of our successes can be squarely attributed to Signals Intelligence. The criticism you may have read have the ring of Monday- morning-quarterbacks -- and not very well informed Monday-morning- quarterbacks at that. Perfect hindsight doesn't help when your challenge is providing real-time intelligence. From where I sat, I saw extremely difficult intelligence tasks performed with creativity, determination, sacrifice and dedication. The true accomplishments are well known and very much appreciated by those of us who know the facts. * * CLASSIFIED SECTION On several occasions, General Schwarzkopf -- half a world away -- discussed and coordinated with us major adjustments to the deployment of our forces, tempo, and target priorities. These decisions were often based on timely SIGINT data. Clearly, that intelligence -- your experience and expertise -- helped us win the war in record time and with very limited casualties. Let me also take this opportunity to compliment the Intelligence Community's leaders. Much of the credit for the success of the community goes to them: Bill Webster, Dick Kerr, Ed Soyster of DIA and Doug Mulholland of State. And I think Bill Studeman deserves special thanks for his role in all of this. To those who have been nominated to receive awards today: you are standouts among the outstanding: standard bearers for a truly magnificent performance here at NSA, and throughout the intelligence community. 4 Now let me turn the program back to Bill Studeman for the presentation of these well-deserved awards. # # #