Sandia lab security chief quits

ALBUQUERQUE, June 25 (UPI) -- The head of national security for Sandia National Laboratories has stepped down after congressional criticism of the lab's nuclear weapons security.

Sandia head C. Paul Robinson asked Dave Nokes Tuesday to retire, according to a Sandia news release obtained by the Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal.

Spokesman Chris Miller said he would not elaborate because it involves a personnel matter.

Sandia's vice president for Science, Technology and Partnerships, Al Romig, will replace Nokes.

A new government report released Tuesday criticized the 3-year-old National Nuclear Security Administration, the agency charged with protecting America's nuclear secrets.

The report by the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said the agency is falling short of its mission, despite the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and repeated security breaches at the nation's nuclear labs.