AUTHORITY TO CLASSIFY TOP SECRET

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74B00415R000400070014-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 13, 2005
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: May 5, 1972
• Content Type: MF

CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2005/05/20 : CIA-RDP74B00415R000400070014-2
5 May 19 72
MEMORANDUM FOR: Legislative Counsel
SUBJECT : Authority to Classify Top Secret
In accordance with paragraph 5 of the attached memorandum,
I. am preparing for the Executive Director-Comptroller a list of
officials by name and position who should have the authority to
classify Top Secret. The proposed list will include The
Legislative Counsel and his Deputy. I would appreciate receiving,
by close of business 8 May 1972, either your approval of the
list as proposed above or your recommendation with justification
for including additional names.
25X1
Administrative Officer, O/DCI
Approved For Release 2005/05/20 : CIA-RDP74B00415R000400070014-2
CONFIDENTIAL
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Approved For Release 2005/05/20 : CIA-RDP74B00415R000400070014 - --- :27 }
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DD/S 72-1746
I MAY 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director -Comptroller
General Counsel
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Deputy Director for Plans
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
Deputy to the Director, Intelligence Community
SUBJECT : Delegations of Authority to Classify and Declassify Under
the Provisions of Executive Order 11652
1. As you know Executive Order 11652 becomes effective 1 June 1972 and
several actions must be completed before that date if we are to be in compliance
with the Order.
2, Despite the fact that we have not yet received the final version of the
implementing instructions from the White House we are expected to submit our
internal implementing regulation to the White House for review before 15 May
and have it published and distributed in the Agency before 1 June. If we are going
to meet these very tight deadlines in the absence of additional implementing
guidance we are going to have to adapt our present classification control system
to accommodate the new requirements acknowledging imperfections, The General.
Counsel is preparing a new draft Headquarters Regulation with these factors in
mind.
3. E, Oo 11652 also requires that the Director designate a representative
of the Agency as a member of an Interagency Classification Review Committee
to assist the National Security Council in monitoring the implementation of the
Order. The Director is also required to designate a senior member of his staff
to chair an internal Agency committee to ensure compliance within the Agency.
I am preparing a separate memorandum for your consideration of a suggestion
for satisfying these requirements.
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 Approved For Release 20G5/,g5I d:rciA RL F?74B00415R000400070014-2
4. A third action required in preparation for the implementation of
E.0. 11652 is the delegation of authority to classify Top Secret to certain
Agency officials. Section 2 of the Executive Order says: "The authority to
originally classify information or material under this order shall be restricted
solely to those offices within the executive branch which are concerned with.
matters of national security, and shall be limited to the minimum number
absolutely required for efficient administration. " The order grants authority
to classify Top. Sec et to the Director and to such of his senior principal
deputies~es he may designate in writing; and to such heads and senior prin-
cipal deputies and assistants of major elements of the Agency as the Director
may designate in writing.
5. If we are going to be prepared to implement E. O. 11652-when it
becomes effective, the delegations of authority will have to have been accom-
plished by 1 June. If you will furnish me a list of officials by position to whom
you feel the authority to classify Top Secret must be delegated, I will arrange
for its compilation into an Agency list for the Director's signature. If I have
your lists by 9 May, there will be ample time to arrange for the issuance. As
a point of departure, a list of officials meeting the definition in the E. O. is
attached.
lo n W. _,o::.e
eputy Director
25X1
25X1
for Support
cc: Director of Security
Approved For Release 2005/05J20.: CIA-RDR74BOO415R000400070014-2
 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2005/05/20 : CIA-RDP74B00415R000400070014-2
5 May 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: Legislative Counsel
SUBJECT : Authority to Classify Top Secret
In accordance with paragraph 5 of the attached memorandum,
I am preparing for the Executive Director-Comptroller a list of
officials by name and position who should have the authority to
classify Top Secret. The proposed list will include The
Legislative Counsel and his Deputy. I would appreciate receiving,
by close of business 8 May 1972, either your approval of the
list as proposed above or your recommendation with justification
for including additional names.
Administrative Officer,
O/DC
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/05/20 : CIA-RDP74B00415R000400070014-2
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