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DATE=6/16/2000 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=HARD DRIVES (L) NUMBER=2-263564 BYLINE=JIM RANDLE DATELINE=WASHINGTON CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The U-S Energy Department says two missing computer hard drives filled with nuclear weapons secrets have been found. The drives disappeared from a vault at a nuclear weapons laboratory, weeks ago prompting great concern - and a criminal investigation. V-O-A'S Jim Randle reports TEXT: The computer information storage devices were found away from their protective vault, but still inside the building where they were supposed to be kept secure. According to one report, the missing devices were discovered behind a photocopy machine at the Los Alamos laboratory in New Mexixo. The hard drives contain detailed information about nuclear explosives that could help officials disarm a nuclear weapon. News reports say the hard drives contain information about weapons from Russia, France, China, and the United States. Meantime, a government official says investigators want to find out where the devices were, who had access to them and whether or not they were compromised. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has `dozens' of agents working on this case which has been front page news in the United States for several days. The Energy Department has custody of U-S nuclear weapons and research. This incident is the latest in a string of embarrassing security failures that have prompted harsh Congressional criticism of the department's vigilance, along with some high profile hearings. (Signed) NEB/PT 16-Jun-2000 19:08 PM EDT (16-Jun-2000 2308 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .