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From Secrecy News:

NSPD 43: DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION

In a characteristically unilateral action, the Bush Administration last April used a National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) to establish the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) within theDepartment of Homeland Security, the purpose of which is to coordinate the detection of nuclear materials for illicit use.

But Congress, expressing dissatisfaction with the President's unilateral move, sharply reduced proposed funding for the newOffice."On April 15, 2005, the President signed a joint presidential directive establishing the office, NSPD-43 / HSPD-14, 'Domestic Nuclear Detection'," said DNDO Acting Director Vayl Oxford in testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee on June 21.This was the first public acknowledgment that the DNDO had been established by means of a national security presidential directive.(Noted by Jeffrey Lewis of ArmsControlWonk.com.)

The full text of NSPD 43 has not been publicly disclosed, but a copy of the associated fact sheet may be found here: http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspd/nspd-43fs.html

Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees criticized the way in which the DNDO had been established and both cut $100 million from the Office's proposed $227 million budget for 2006. Creation of the DNDO is an example "of action being taken before thoughtful planning despite the seriousness of the problems being addressed," the Senate Appropriations Committee averred (Sen. Report109-83). "Hasty solutions are fostering an apparent false sense of security." "The Committee strongly agrees with the importance of improving nuclear detection capabilities and coordination, but is troubled by the manner in which this initiative has been handled."Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) complained about the "lack of consultation on the proposed reorganization," and itemized his specific concerns in a 9 page letter to the Department of HomelandSecurity on June 10. See: http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2005_cr/lieberman061005.pdf

The White House largely dismissed the congressional criticism and complained in a July 11 statement that "making a large portion ofDNDO funds contingent upon further congressional review may delay improvements in the Nation's capability to defend against catastrophic threats."

"This initiative is a top priority of the Administration," the White House said.
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