Syria, Internal Cover-Ups Dominate State Dept. Briefing

This is a special report from ABC news. When I'm Dan -- New York -- ABC news digital special report a new scandal at the State Department reports filed by the agency's internal watchdog. Offer a list... See More

This is a special report from ABC news. When I'm Dan -- New York -- ABC news digital special report a new scandal at the State Department reports filed by the agency's internal watchdog. Offer a list of misconduct from everyone from high ranking diplomats and former secretary particular Clinton's security guards -- Washington headlines. Allegations that an ambassador linked -- -- to ditch his detail to search out local prostitutes. Right now I don't wanna go out of State Department answers the questions on there is represented -- sake let's listen. In Washington this week he had planned a trip that was widely reported. Across the region. As a secretary of state he needs to balance of course foreign travel and foreign diplomacy and and and that part of his job which as we all know he does quite a bit us. With the need to be here in Washington from time to time of course advising the president and working -- the national security team. And terms of -- meetings that he's attending there's a wide range there are routine meetings as. The White House often has as the secretary. Often participates and but I'm not gonna get ahead of what -- will be discussed or are what certainly would come it would come out of any of those. -- are there any. Plans over. -- to raise the possibility of increasing your. Increasing activity towards the Syrian opposition. Well at the president's direction has national security team continues to consider. All options all possible options. That would accomplish her objective of helping the Syrian opposition serve the essential needs of the Syrian people. -- -- political transition which we talked -- a bit about. And a wider range of options have been prepared for that presidents. Consideration and internal meetings to discuss the situation. Which of course -- routine which our our ongoing. Throughout last week weeks ahead of course. So in terms of what they'll be. I don't wanna get -- -- -- nothing to announce for you time. -- but we continue to look for ways the president continues to look for ways to help the opposition and increase aid as we've talked about. And something we're encouraging our allies around the world to do as well. So I just post offices but it does is it -- is it. All options or is still all options -- One well the president has talked about how boots on the ground is not an option as settle -- it. So all options -- that shortage that correct. Case that among the meetings whether routine or not that is or you say they're -- that. Are the meetings that he is staying in town to -- do they include meetings on Syria. There are some on Syria but I'm not going to discuss internal meetings there's a wide range of meetings. That the secretary. Is involved in will be involved in and in the coming days. And again there's been a long conversation about how to continue to -- at the opposition. And what we can do to strengthen their position on the ground well also planning a political transition. Many of these options have been discussed and they will continue to be. And just one of those destroyed one more from -- this does. Do those options include. Not. Well if it's all options but. The one that -- sided that it would be fair to say that those options to include. The possibility of the United States. Shifting its policy so -- to. Potentially provide arms to the rebels. Well that's long been included as part of the options so the one that is not included as the one. Matt reference about new boots on the ground which the president secretary apple -- Picture it occurred when he said at about two minutes and you said a -- Range of actions -- a wider. Range a wide range of online. Note also that we do have this situation. Of big setbacks for. The opposition. Fighters he had the influx of foreign fighters coming in. On the side to do you have what is the level with concerned about all of those who we've talked about it -- now it seems to be reaching critical test. Animosity -- numbers on me. Actual. Numbers of foreign fighters coming from these different countries including. Europe and the United States. I don't have any numbers on foreign fighters I can say that we do share of course the opposition's deep concerns over the ground situation in Syria. Just this past weekend. There was and -- massacre of at least a hundred people fleeing because there including civilians. It's heavy shelling clashes in the north especially in the -- -- suburbs. And it and the intense preparations for siege on the city of a left though. Only -- reaffirms the urgent need for the international community to focus its efforts -- doing all we can do to support the opposition. As it works to change the balance on the ground. It's. Is that backgrounds have it and that tightening. -- -- the talks this week about whether it's time to arm the rebels -- Well I would caution all of you and over emphasizing or over reading into. What routine meetings mean these issues are often discussed it's been the same issues on the table. Again again the -- for -- for eighteen. So but to answer your larger point question here that you're raising. We still are focused of course on the parallel process we are continuing to work with our counterparts on planning for Geneva to. But the political process of course cannot occur in -- back him. And as we've heard firsthand from general -- trees over the weekend conditions on the ground have worsened and that is greatly concerning. And the bloodshed in the loss of innocent lives has grown worse. The increase of foreign fighters has led to a greater concern. About sectarian violence so we are taking a closer look. What we can continue to do to help the opposition. -- that. Reviews -- victories of the -- of the future not -- that -- -- fell last month course of course but I was just reiterating what we all heard. General of these trees who is the commander on the ground of course and has some quite a bit of refuge ability well deserved. So I was just reiterating that point. So and generally Teresa telling you about the battle that seems to -- out. That -- to retake that from the opposition forces. Will we I'm not gonna read out -- private conversations but of course we've seen and we've seen the -- say that they are. Pursuing. Of course the areas around a -- -- I will -- will tell you that acting assistant secretary Beth Jones spoke with general entries she was the person who is in touch with him and received an update. On what's happening on the ground and we will remain in touch. What. I'm not sure that I'm happy to check on the exact time. And you know absolutely the DNA confirmation -- -- -- that came out from the Syrian. Hopes of Egyptian rights that's a fifteen year old boys -- -- was executed. Is that this gunman. Accused of blasphemy. I don't have any independent confirmation of that we would of course. Condemned that -- of -- and behavior and in the strongest terms. In this speaks to your -- that the whole situation is now just disintegrate tomorrow morning to cut sectarian. -- -- -- Well we have been very long concerned about the increase and sectarian violence and the influx of foreign fighters has only. -- that time and that is why we -- so focused on continuing to take a close look at how we can help the opposition. Meetings routine but it. It's these meetings have nothing to do with your great concern about the worsening situation. On the ground. Well again they there are there are -- their frequent meetings about Syria this is an issue that is. On the minds of the president and the secretary of state and every member of the national security team. And there are often discussions about it and seeing now well I think I referenced how pressing the situation is certainly with the increase in violence that is greatly concerning to -- Us she. Needs it to us to. It's city. Anything happening just to say that we remain focused on planning and continuing to work with our counterparts as you know the next. Official meeting with the Russians and with the UN will be on June 20 says there are. As always conversations that happen in between those meetings. But again you know the political process can't happen and -- back him so we are. Taking a closer look at what we can do on the ground to help the opposition. Doesn't. Stand what the secretary. Achieved by being here rather than. Closer to the situation in the region is he in contact with other. Counter parts here and even closer to this it to this serious situation in Middle East and the concern. Right now serious specifically yeah but what -- -- -- -- staying in Washington and who has -- been in contact with other counterparts foreign ministers like. Well he is in frequent contact with other foreign ministers I don't have an update -- recent calls over the last 24 hours but as you know he has. Frequently on the phone often day -- night. In terms of the region I just want to separate them out slightly because his planned trip was focused on. Continuing their efforts on Middle East peace which he remains focused on he can do both of the same time -- and he we will we will have that -- -- in the short term but this is a balance and this is a challenge. Every secretary of state -- I venture on -- on a different scale the president hasn't bouncing when they need to be aware and he made a judgment he wanted to be in Washington for the first couple days this -- you. OK because when you shortages at the sector will be in Washington this week they use it I think yesterday early part of this I don't have anything specific for you on one -- -- travel and was I didn't mean to parks and confusing way I don't have any update on -- I when the trip. President conceivably could go somewhere else it later in the week. I don't have any -- travel so it's it's we will be able reschedule or postponed the trip but I don't have any captive contest when that is I wouldn't it be. -- -- -- -- -- Things more. He did. If he was unable to -- for his own normal -- plunged and that. Indeed they did as he did he didn't believe I was skeptical about his theory I don't have that this specific -- out -- a happy to get -- -- all of you that was. Long -- bilateral meeting -- number of issues would be discussed including Syria but I don't have any readout on on what they did discuss. Just going back habits student last weekend and the previous week's. Secretary carry it says that he. Now needs to Israelis and Palestinians to make the tough decisions needed to get back to negotiate -- -- last week in the speech. Before the American Jewish committee he -- that. That's. You know the -- charges are running out now. Is this the fact that -- to spend this visit does that mean that he hasn't had those assurances from these he's an -- isn't ready to make these commitment. -- I would not link the two he made the decision because he wanted to be here in Washington. And he is looking forward to doing that -- and in the short term I just don't have a specific date on -- -- Two -- so there have been in the past he has been traveling weather and each team meetings Syria and other national security issues correct. -- so he made the decision that he thought it was important enough for him -- -- for this meeting so I'm not sure exactly lawyers say insisting that its routines. It's clearly not. It was routine he would feel comfortable being away. Well Matt what I was implying was that it's not that there's a check box that you say if these five criteria here I'll stay in Washington at these -- -- -- travel lifted. It's a judgment call made. By every secretary probably back to the invention of airplanes. And that's when -- -- on boxes that might -- three. -- -- could be three to five I don't have a specific number for area. -- routine meeting if you think that I know that there have been many many many many meetings -- Syria but are the ones this week. If there you absolutely convinced that the -- this week or indeed routine. I. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Yes Syria come. The the mayor dean TV is reporting that that this hearing government wants a whole month to move elections up -- later this year what's your position on this elections. I have not seen those reports so I can't speak to them but I'm happy to look into that following the briefing it sounds like something that just came out before. Upon Syria yes thank. Jim when you you met my first briefing -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- You mentioned earlier that -- US shares the Syrian opposition's deep concerns over at. The status on the ground and you mention specific areas on the ground -- That are occasion in this deep concern. When ambassador Ford testified before the house foreign affairs committee on -- when he. He was explicit in -- in testifying that. That this the -- the the military position for. The Syrian government had been worsening at least that's of that time that he testify. What is your overall. Cents for the military position of the Assad government now is it still worsening -- is in fact improving. Well there are few things wrapped up in there so let me -- untangle them well that first testimony was it sounds like three and a half months ago or so and obviously. -- events happen on the ground rapidly especially crises like these. They've talked a little bit over the past. Couple of weeks or days and -- -- -- together about the influx of foreign fighters on how they have come in and they have dramatically helped. The Asad regime they have had a large impacts both -- there. Success in -- hair and other parts of the state -- the country. That we've been discussing recently so when I say that and you know we are concerned and about events on the ground and things have four cents. On the grounds we're talking about the massacres that have happened at the hands of the -- regime and the foreign fighters and the influx. Of help from Iran and others -- and that has certainly helps them. So there's no question that that that has been. An adjustment and in the ground what's happening on the ground. And is it still. Accurate to say that president decides days are numbered if his situation is in fact improving is that still an operative statement. Well I believe I talked about a couple of parallel. Courses that we remain focused on one which has been -- development since that testimony of course is working with the Russians and the UN to. Planned a political transition or I should say conference to discuss a political transition. And also which we've talked about already a little bit today is continuing to look at ways we can help the opposition. On the ground that's something that. The president will make decisions on all options aside from boots on the ground is on the table. -- that is it that is a big focus of the administration. But you would agree wouldn't -- that the pursuit of any of these alternative courses that you -- describing. Becomes harder in each and every case. If president -- military position is improving. Correct. Well that's exactly why we're focused on taking a look at how we can help the opposition. And then doing what we -- to change the situation on the ground. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And the section so sad status updates and on the question just mentioned it's it's still the department's belief that have -- -- -- in them but. Yes we believe that we can work with our international allies we can help strengthen the opposition. That the massacres and the horrific acts of the regime. Are not and will not be accepted by the international community. We know this won't be easy never thought it would be easy. But that's why we're working on multiple tracks and why we're we're so focused on this day in and day out. -- -- little more detail you give us some specifics are adamant massacre about a hundred people fleeing didn't Kucera and also -- -- -- What is. The characteristic common among those being targeted -- -- anything more about. Why that group of 100 was massacred. Their affiliation religious -- anything. I don't have any specifics for that you know the vast majority of massacres that have been. Happened at the hands of the aside regime has not been targeted they've been -- -- eight. Thousands of innocent women and children and civilians have died but -- don't have anything more specific on those hundred. Mitchell's. American and a decision is the cost of doing this happening you have Sudanese refugees -- That's do you have any be feasible. And let me let me speak to that. How well -- me first say the preferred solution for the vast majority of refugees. Is to return home once it is safe. We -- in close contact. With the UN on the need for resettlement of refugees from countries first asylum throughout the world the United States accepts more. UN referred refugees than all other countries combined. And that we are aware then we would can -- the UN is aware that the US would consider any individuals referred to us have been determined. To be in need of resettlement. So we are prepared to respond if -- and -- encourage -- settlement countries to do the same. What's the moment that. Please. It doesn't work exactly that way there's a cap by congress of about 70000 refugees. In total. So the way would work would be if specific countries at -- the list of refugees were we would accept their refugees. Which which the US is certainly open to but let me just reiterate that. That the preferred -- rest solution for the vast majority is two to return to their country -- say. A few minutes your has referred and -- Any country. I don't have that kind of an update for you add -- to them. Well obviously. Many countries in the region have accepted tens of thousands of refugees -- but that's retired proper order another -- this is for. I don't have any update -- on the exact status and and that in that regard. It's -- -- look like some. The organization peace and cooperation in town this weekend news some and it's up in this additional patients and so -- from that. He asked won't flood zone from next -- The commencement didn't look good losers. I would just reiterate that for the president and four the administration. We continue to. Focus on looking at all options aside from boots on the ground and and evaluating those but I'm not going to Parse individual options that are thrown out there -- how much use causes and justice. -- -- -- He's seen music -- significantly. Of course we -- the input of countries in the region of art and different international partners. Very heavily but I'm not going to Parse internal deliberations on any of these issues going to -- to meet some corrections officials I'm expecting something from. From his -- -- wish I would point to him -- and to their actions on that. Question. Is on Syria the White House that they expect there witness secretary Carrey's first meeting again I'm not gonna specify exactly when meetings -- and a mean at the retain meaning the -- said a few times. But united I would say it's safe to say over the next couple of days -- have meetings about a range of issues. Make decisions from these team that needs -- I have nothing I have no announcements to make and -- I have and nothing I have had nothing new or nothing nothing to projects for you. -- very basic question about how serious -- -- in the as you consider ways to help the opposition -- some very basic question -- this administration want the rebels to win. Of course we want the opposition to win of course we want. The terror the of the Asad regime. And the the the actions they've taken against tens of thousands of civilians to end. We want the blood cents and and we think a political transition. As the best step toward doing that but we're gonna remain focused on our -- dual path. Last week I think that asked you if the administration felt it should have done more to. Prevent all of which there. Does the administration believe it is in its interest to -- to help. We just -- you want the opposition -- does the administration believe it is in its interest try to help. The opposition. Fighters. Keep. Ground. Keep ground and get a hold on the ground that they choose from government. Forces that the government is then seeking to -- -- Well I think are -- given that I did express a sense of concern for the events on the ground in the massacres that have taken place on. The actions of the regime. And the fact that we are taking a closer look at what we can do to help the opposition I think that answers that question. Actually mean it and does do you believe McCain is not simply that say yes we do believe that it is important for the US government to try to help the opposition. Keep ground that it is she's from the government forces. We certainly want to continue to help the opposition. And take a close look at what we can do to help the opposition and began to make gains and to continue to hold the parts that they are holding us great at. At -- to extend there. Hold on ground. And I think across the board we want to help the opposition. -- we are very focused on what's happening on the ground. Why didn't you do more to prevent the full. Consider which is widely regarded which -- strategic town in terms of lots of floats given its its space why -- -- if you do believe you just -- -- government reach that it should. Help the opposition keep ground and help the opposition extend ground why didn't you do more to prevent -- -- That well I -- I -- this -- an answering going to love but there's no real benefit and looking in her in the year. This is this was -- specific case where as we know and -- -- received reports -- -- and their influx of fighters there and help from Iran had a dramatic impact on helping. The regime and as we looked at the scenario that was unfolding. -- this is a case where that helped the regime and also as we talked about a little last week. One of the largest issues we are concerned about as it was unfolding is. For the hundreds if not more of civilians who -- stuck there we're not getting need and the inability of humanitarian aid to go and so. You know all I can say is that. We have provided. And we have continued to increase our assistance over time as you know where -- 250. In nonlethal. 250 million -- should say and nonlethal assistance over 500 million and humanitarian aid. The next tranche of nonlethal assistance which we're going to be notifying congress on in the short term. A portion of that is what the secretary talked about in Istanbul that will go. Directly to the SNC into general agers we've obviously been in touch with him to get a ground update. And -- -- focused on moving forward. -- just a full of them you don't. Simply look at things through rear view mirror. The battle for -- -- extended. Over more than days. You were aware that it was going on you were aware and said from the podium that his bull fighters were on the ground and fighting on the side of the government forces. So my question is why at that time when you have real time intelligence about the fact that the government forces were getting reinforced. And given that the US government believes it should help the opposition to keep and take background did -- -- -- government judge that it was not. That that it that it should not have done so in that case why didn't you do more I just don't have anything more -- Have you ever driven -- -- I personally given current I have than you know that there actually is benefit looking and -- here. At least -- that there is excellent and -- also you're familiar with and terms of policy. That the expressions like those who don't learn from the pastor and. The mistakes estrogen I think Ed so that a lot about what we've learned from the past I was -- -- at all state law understand but I just want -- -- Surely you do look back. Recent developments and use those -- and use -- to determine how you're gonna go forward of course Matt of course it will end and I didn't understand why. So adamant against. -- I think he's asking me to and a -- specific part of Syria. And one specific couple days of events that happens more broadly of course you know -- I said this at the top the influx of foreign fighters. The role Hezbollah has played. What we're seeing on the ground. Is of course part of our determination and taken closer look about what we can do more and it and that's part of your decision making always and is certainly. Part of the government's decision making. So it is. -- Them given that we Mendoza left and his next in the target sights stats -- -- how does that. Picture it -- -- -- -- and going forward. Well I can't take a specific incidents as tragic and terrible as it was and tell you how exactly it's going to. Determine the decision com or any other decisions. I can say probably that we to do of course take a look at events. Like this and the influx of -- -- foreign fighters the impact that hat on helping their regime. We do talk to of course. Leaders military leaders like generally dress and hear about what's happening on the ground and and that is of course factored into any thinking and discussion as we move forward. This -- very fine point on this the fall of this year. His we'll informant -- the administration's decision making as a -- leads to going forward and dispute was specifically to what. I would say it any tragic events any tragic cases that is certainly the recent one where Hezbollah and their role had a prominent. Had a prominent. Place. There is something that certainly is part of the discussion. To what extent that the administration is ready to listen to -- and these schools for. -- -- kids position and for helping them position. Well again just acting assistant secretary Jones spoke with. General entries. And to listen to Hemingway had to say and beyond that I'm not going to Parse out internal discussions or deliberations. Be fair to say that secretary Kerry -- -- we have had some diplomatic success in encouraging. Some of our partners to also support the SNC and to provide some legal some non lethal support through those channels that we. Believe are moderate and worthy of supporting. -- -- -- Well I would I would point to -- want to speak for other countries and why they make decisions they make but certainly. What -- go back to Istanbul part of the result in positive outcome. Of those meetings was an agreement by the participating countries that they would send aid through the SNC. And that we felt was a very positive development where going to be doing that and we are hopeful other countries will be doing that. And that's something the secretary certainly does discuss frequently when he talks discounts -- -- -- seen follow through to those pledges that you would like. Well again I don't have anything any updates on other countries I can tell you what we're doing but that was an agreement made. Meant something that they all felt strongly as as being the next the appropriate -- Forgive me this came up on Friday when I was all for it generally -- you decrease was quoted in -- New York Times story saying that if you didn't get arms. The opposition must come to Geneva to. If you could not come up on Friday what do you think about that stance. Well I would fight back to what I had a -- said here which is that we are continuing to plan and discuss with our counterparts. Geneva -- Obviously the opposition is a key component of that. We have been in touch with -- injuries. And we're continuing to look at how to continue to help the opposition but we're working on both parallel paths at the same time. Take him at his word that the opposition will look that. Again had a lot of -- what he said and what it means. And I would encourage you to speak with and you think he's home playing horrible if you. I don't want to characterize it was clear the other -- -- secretary has. A great deal of respect for him and the hardware that he's been doing and we've been in touch with him and listen closely to what he has to say and that's one of the reasons that. The next tranche of aid we'll go -- the SNC and -- why we're continuing to look at option was was. -- -- -- serious -- this country think that was helpful comment on general increases forward. To his effort to could be in Geneva two again I think the secretary is under no illusion. That this is easy he said that himself before and I'll say it on his behalf and is not. I don't think any of us are surprised that it has been. That it has been a journey to to move toward the at -- conference and to move toward getting that Sonnen and he's just remains focused on -- so we'll continue to have discussions. And one last question on the timing. As -- No. The monthly Roman will it in I think it's in the second week tree line. Maybe -- mind. Is it conceivable. To you that the Geneva to conference could be held during that -- Wellness center last week that our target was now July I don't have any updates on the timing -- or anything along those lines obviously there are many. Participating countries and -- I'm sure we'll take scheduling needs and into into count. The question of anonymous complaints are -- trying to find new ways to deliver these nominally still -- -- in Syria and -- to do it sounds takes on reading stadium history or. Nearly -- -- against Islamic in this instance it. -- well. I'm not sure if that's actually -- an accurate depiction of what's happening there's been some. Cases -- humanitarian aid it's been difficult to get it through that's absolutely true only work with an international red cross and other partners to do that. In terms of nonlethal assistance and we talked about this. A bit last week the 127. That is in train. That has gone through a large amount of it it's gone through the ECU the coordinating body and does go for different. The purposes and different needs on the ground a CU is underneath. The -- so that's that's continues to be how we. Transmit that aid in the next tranche part of that will be through the SNC -- or not quite there yet but. Yes we can. Network continue monitoring the State Department briefing right there by spokesperson Jen Saki who's been talking about the latest developments in regards to Syria. The reason why we've been listening to that State Department briefing was because there are reports were filed by the agency's internal watchdog. Offering up a list of misconduct by everyone from high ranking diplomats to former secretary of state Hillary -- security guards in the headlines in this report. Allegations that an ambassador. Likes to ditch his security detail to search out local prostitutes and also accusations of employees selling drugs in and around. The American Embassy. In Baghdad the two big. Developments coming out of this internal report but I want to bring in that our pentagon correspondent ABC's Louis Martinez Louis thanks for being with us and and again we're really monitoring. That briefing to find if in fact Jen -- does bring up the latest into -- report. But I want to talk for a little bit about the issue of Syria because secretary of state Cary. Had postponed a trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories to stay in DC. On to talk about the internal conflict. In Syria. What kind of a development what kind of of a -- does that indicate -- potential US involvement in Syria. Well then as he saw from this almost half hour's worth of questioning about Syria there's a lot of trying to read the tea leaves and about exactly what carries delay and that music means. We're not being waved off the notion that the he -- around for big meetings this week Gary -- topped the cut characterize in his routine meetings about Syria and a series of ongoing. Policy discussions about what to do with Syria about what we're being told is that we're not being waved off the notion that there could be discussion this week about the possibility of arming Syria's rebels. This was something that was being considered by the administration a while back. Com and analyst -- came back cut to the front a couple of months ago but we still haven't seen a final decision -- -- chance. I was as my colleagues -- State Department are asking -- The Kerry's trip. Indicates that we -- close to a decision. Obama and we will have to wait to see exactly as that news conference is gonna continue -- -- -- but -- I want to talk about that internal report the big question being. -- in regards to the possibility of an ambassador. Forgetting the on it seems to be a question here now. Of -- who knew why but also at what level. Did this information get spread. Poses a very complicated story and it was a colleague is. Characterize this as eight and looking at the cover up of a cover up. Because we are talking about an inspector general's report looking back at how diplomatic Bureau of Diplomatic Security at the S State Department handle certain allegations. Allegations like you mentioned the one about -- -- -- who dishes is detailed to go solicit prostitutes allegations that. -- -- this is secure is secretary of state former secretary of state Clinton's. Security detail when they were traveling in Russia and Columbia solicited prostitutes. Of those allegations bore fruit and they are actually punished. Three this -- diplomatic security agents removed from her detail and suspended for a day quite a vastly different result from what we heard from the prostitution scandal involving. The Secret Service during the day -- Obama trip there's also allegations. -- that you know and actually it involves a former official whose works with Iraqi affairs. Com and he's relationship is personal relationship. With a journalist who later became his wife. The insinuation why is that in both the ambassadors case and in the incident involving this official who deals with Iraq. That senior officials career officials political appointees. Put out the word that the -- for whatever reason. The investigations into those allegations should not continue these allegations themselves are being made by diplomatic security agents to the IG so it's very complicated. But those are the mean allegations -- -- -- raising eyebrows here in town because. He never want to see a case of political interference and what's is should should be an independent investigation. I don't wanna -- on the spot -- but I do you have to ask about this of the headlines seems to be from this. Centering on sexual misconduct and as you pointed out it is not the first time an American security detail overseas with a high profile job has been accused of this. Is that a matter that is more prevalent that we realize or has it -- increasing in nature. Why can't speak to that but what I can tell you is that we did speak to State Department officials say it could specifically -- these allegations. And what they say is that not every allegation proves true. They are investigated and they don't make their way into the final report part of what's -- about the nature of these allegations are now that they are being re investigated. Because they worst one incident when -- things this being said is that that the allegations were scrubbed final from the final draft of the report as we know from covering Washington. There is the first version of a traveler on a draft report -- gets sent out to the various agencies. And then depending on how important how relevant that information was. To the final conclusions of that report they -- -- mean that appears part of the editing process. The State Department now tells us that they are reviewing these -- these allegations once again they've actually brought in law enforcement officials. The -- that she joined the IG investigation itself about these allegations. Not as if we're trying to question the validity of the of those -- whistleblower behind these accusations but that whistle blowers lawyer has said that their client is frustrated. -- that this investigation wasn't moving forward at a rapid pace. Is your chance of -- in fact -- investigation was being conducted in the proper manner and the evidence just simply wasn't there. It that's. Highly my probable -- possible as well and on the other thing we learned in discussions with the was -- attorneys at this whistle blower deal it was kind of a reluctant whistle blower. Didn't does not want to be in the spotlight in this case. One other thing that we are hearing is the possibility of scope. That this investigator this whistle blower was an investigator -- -- that potentially she may only have been -- knowledgeable about certain matters of this broad ranging investigation. So she may be claiming that. These matters -- thoroughly investigated -- -- may now have a thorough awareness. Of the broad picture about how the investigation itself was conducted that's one of the pitfalls. Something like this what -- and not right now on and what -- right now this is still an internal State Department matter what we did here is that the office of inspector general's office is bringing in additional law enforcement types. Interest of criminal investigators were told. To join an assist in their investigation. To see that everything was handled on the up and out as part of these investigations before it's your god you want to ask you one more question how have senior officials at the State Department and the Pentagon. Reacting to those revelations about the NSA cyber spying. -- He has -- this has been raising eyebrows -- town -- has some private discussions with. With semester he takes over the weekend and and they are just -- founded by all of the revelations -- in coming out when the whistle blower who identified himself. Is that it is Andrew Stanton any name he -- they were amazed by that they had assumed that this individual is gonna remain -- -- for as long as a kid. -- because why would be a why would someone freedom present themselves for prosecution. Obviously -- -- know that he's in Hong Kong. He could be could be extradited at some point in the future it's raising a lot of eyebrows but at the same time the one common thread everywhere from and -- the -- Nash security officials. Is the level of concern. That the revelations may have compromised. Ongoing efforts at countering terrorism. Around the world. Certainly across all departments that is obviously the number one focus in question all right ABC's -- tennis at State Department aide Louis thank you so much we appreciate it. Yeah course that a complete recap on abcnews.com. On that State Department briefing and those -- developments on the NSA cyber spying. For now though I'm -- cuts -- New York with this ABC news digital special report. This has been a special report from me.