MANAGEMENT WEAKNESSES ARE TO BLAME FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABS SECURITY. THAT'S THE CONCLUSION OF A REPORT RELEASED TUESDAY BY THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT'S INSPECTOR GENERAL. IT SAYS DELAYS AND COST OVERRUNS ADDED 41 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE 213-MILLION-DOLLAR SECURITY SYSTEM.
THE PROBLEMS WERE FIRST MADE PUBLIC LAST YEAR. LANL IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE U-S WHERE NUCLEAR WEAPONS TRIGGERS ARE MADE. CHARLIE MCMILLAN, WHO WAS LAB DIRECTOR AT THE TIME, SAID THE PLUTONIUM FACILITIES WERE NEVER COMPROMISED.
