MEETING WITH HOWARD C. BERKOWITZ

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00380R000400120030-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 17, 2006
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: October 23, 1973
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2606/09/25: CIA-RDP75B00380R0Q04OP12'1
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Meeting with Howard C. Berkowitz
1. Mr. Berkowitz states that he is a member of the Wash-
ington Chapter of the RIPON Society. He is undertaking a study
of information access control systems of the Executive Branch of
the Federal Government. The results of this study are to be
published in the RIPON Forum. Mr. Berkowitz also believes that
the study may result in legislation which would be introduced by
Congressman Esch (?). The President of the Washington Chapter
of the RIPON Society is the administrative assistant to this
Congressman.
2. Mr. Berkowitz has met with Department of Defense officials
on this subject. His conversations with them to date have been
conducted on an unclassified basis. He alleges that he knows a
considerable amount about compartmented systems such as TK which
he has obtained at cocktail parties and in the course of his
military service with the U. S. Navy. He also claims to be familiar
with the activities of the U. S. intelligence community as a result
of some course taken at American University. Frankly, I was not
impressed by Mr. Berkowitz's discretion and feel that he should
not be given unlimited access to information.
3. In the course of our discussion I proposed to Mr. Berko-
witz that he be treated as an historical researcher. This will
require that his project be approved by the DCI, that he be cleared
at the TS level and that his notes and article be subject to review.
Mr. Berkowitz agreed to this although I am not certain he understood
what I said. He did volunteer the information that he had had
psychiatric counsel in his youth but that this had not prevented
him from getting a DOD TS clearance. Mr. Berkowitz was also advised
that the clearance process would take some time and that most of
the conversations and briefings which he desired would be on a
classified basis. It was suggested that I initiate his education
process by providing him with copies of the types of documents
which this Agency issues through DOCEX.
cc: OLC
OS/SSD/EAB
IG Approved For Release 2004
 Approved For Release 2006/09/25 : CIA-RDP75B0038OR000400120030-6
hr. Howard C. Berkowitz
DDPC Systems Support Branch
U. S. Labor Department
GAO Building
441 G Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20210
Dear Mr. Berkowitz:
I am forwarding to you samples of the types of documents
which we are issuing through DOCEX. These documents are avail-
able to subscribers to that service through the Library of
Congress and are not available from the Agency directly. In
addition you will find the necessary forms to be completed for
the historical research clearance. Although the form for the
National Agency Check Request stipulates from the 18th birthday
or the past 15 years whichever is shorter, we do need the infor-
mation for the past 15 years.--
When you have completed the information why don't you
give me a call on IDS Code 143, extension Il and we can get
together to discuss where we go from here.
Sincerely,
15q
Enclosures: 8
ISAS:GFD:slh
Distribution:
Orig. = Addressee
~-2 - I SAS
1 - OLC
1 - OS/SSD/EAB
1 - IG
Approved For Release 2006/09/25 : CIA-RDP75B0038OR000400120030-6