MEMO TO TOM CORMACK FROM (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP01-00569R000100080018-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2009
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: April 27, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/11/17: CIA-RDPO1-00569R000100080018-5
ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY
27 April 1984
Tom Cormack
Executive Secretary
History Staff Bi-Weekly
On the matter of the transfer of the OSS records to the National
Archives, a cable is being sent to selected stations so that assurances can
be given to foreign governments involved with OSS, the memo of understanding
has been returned to the Archives for approval, and Ken has sent a draft of
his proposed status report to the DCI to the components concerned.
The court has determined that CIA does not have to release Smith's draft
chapter for the Helms history for use in the Westmoreland vs CBS case.
Bob has written to five retired officers to request interviews. and Ty
are James Critchfield, James Angleton,
d
He has also had a brief phone conversa ion wi ichar
Helms and is in continuing phone contact with
O/DCI, called for the dates
supplied the information by telephone.
served as DDM&S; we
has set 30 June as her retirement date.
Bob won the Sherman Kent award for his article on which
appeared in Studies in Intelligence.
working together, ar tead inroads on the
processing of the His orv Staff's holding
History Staff
Orig - Adse
1 - JKM File
1 - RK File
- HS Chrono
1 - Bi-Weekly File
ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/11/17: CIA-RDP01-00569R000100080018-5
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Washington, D. C. 20505
27 April 1984
Mr. Alan Thompson
Chief, Records Declassification Division (NND)
National Archives
8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20408
Dear Alan,
I'll enclose our proposed revision of the draft Memorandum of
Understanding that you gave me 19 March. Our lawyer had no problems with
your draft, and simply incorporated some additions suggested by those
handling the records here; these are:
A. A new first paragraph, as a sort of preface to explain the purpose
of the memorandum.
B. A few minor changes in the first, second and third paragraphs of
your draft.
C. Two explanatory sentences inserted into the penultimate paragraph.
D. A change in the last paragraph, to have the agreement become
effective as soon as both parties sign it.
I suggested the earlier effective date, since we are already following
the procedures described, and you will be, too, once you begin processing
the first batch of 198 cubic feet that the CIA team is checking in Bob
Please call me if you would like to discuss this draft memorandum. I
hope that it will meet with approval from those of you who will take charge
of these OSS records.
shop now.
With all good wishes,
Sincerely,
J. Kenneth McDonald
Chief Historian
11 L S 1-0
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/11/17: CIA-RDP01-00569R000100080018-5
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AND THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
SUBJECT: Accessioning CIA Predecessor Wartime Organizations
Records by the National Archives - Associated
Responsibilities and Procedures
1. In considering the transfer of CIA Predecessor wartime
organization, primarily office of Strategic Services (OSS)
records to the National Archives for release to the public, the
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has expressed concerns that
the records may contain information that is inappropriate for
immediate access. For purposes of simplicity, these records
will hereafter be referred to as the "OSS records." The
National Archives has provided assurances that its processing
procedures, will address and resolve these concerns before
access is provided. This Memorandum of Understanding reflects
mutual agreement that the CIA and National Archives review
procedures outlined below will serve to expedite the release of
OSS records to the public while providing appropriate
safeguards against premature access.
2. The OSS records will be examined for declassification
by the CIA. Documents or portions of documents under the final
declassification jurisdiction of the CIA (successor Agency)
which are found still to contain national security information
despite the passage of time will be withdrawn from the records
and withheld in the custody of the CIA. A withdrawal card
bearing a unique number will be substituted for the withdrawn
material. Upon completion of the CIA's examination, the
records appropriate for transfer as permanent records will be
sent to the National Archives for accessioning. The records
will consist of declassified and unclassified material, except
as indicated below.
3. Classified material which the CIA has determined does
not require continued protection insofar as that agency's
interests are concerned, but which may require continued
national security protection in the interest of some other U.S.
agency or of a foreign government will be transferred along
with the declassified and unclassified OSS records. Such
classified material will be identified by the CIA examiners by
placing a tab around the relevant material or by affixing a tag
to the individual items. It will be the responsibility of the
National Archives to review such identified classified material
for possible declassification at appropriate intervals in
accordance with applicable Executive Orders and Information
Security oversight office directives. The CIA's Information
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V
and Privacy Coordinator will assist National Archives officials
responding to access requests when the identification of the
responsible U.S. agency is unclear or when transmittal to an
appropriate foreign government is required for declassification
determination.
4. The National Archives will screen and withhold from
access and/or refrain from copying for a fee declassified or
unclassified accessioned OSS records containing information
about a living individual which reveal details of a highly
personal nature that the individual could reasonably assert a
claim to withhold from the public to avoid a clearly
unwarranted invasion of privacy, including but not limited to
information about the physical or mental health or the medical
or psychiatric care or treatment of the individual, and that
contain personal information not known to have been previously
made public, and relate to events less than 75 years old (41
CFR 105.61.5302-4).
5. It is agreed that the OSS records still contain
sensitive. documents which could cause adverse international
repercussions. Therefore, at the time of records arrangement,
the National Archives will conduct initial screening on a
series or subseries basis. When files or documents are
requested, a re-screening will be performed on potentially
sensitive records before such items are furnished to
researchers. At such time, NARS reviewers will exercise
discretion regarding the release of records that might cause
national or international repercussions. In case of doubt, or
where CIA has identified sensitive records, the National
Archives will consult with appropriate information specialists
of the CIA concerning the propriety and/or legal basis for
continued denial or release.
6. The procedures set forth in this Memorandum of
Understanding will become effective upon execution of this
Memorandum of Understanding by both NARS and CIA .
ROBERT M. WARNER Date
Archivist of the United States
HARRY A. FITZWATER
Deputy Director for Administration
Central Intelligence Agency
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/11/17: CIA-RDP01-00569R000100080018-5