MS. EMILY S. SHEKETOFF - MURPHY COMMISSION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01133A000900160048-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 14, 2004
• Sequence Number: 48
• Publication Date: November 26, 1974
• Content Type: MF

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SECOM-D- 17
26 November 1974
STAT
STAT
SUBJECT . Ms. Emily S. Sheketoff
Murphy Commission
1. Through coordination. with you, Ms. Sheketoff, at her
request, met with Executive Secretary of the
Security Committee, and myself today. She advised that she had
been commissioned to do a study on Executive Order 11652 to
include its value, how it works and any problems connected with
implementing it and was also to include in her study consideration
of the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 and recent amendments.
2. With regard to E.O. 11652 Ms. Sheketoff asked if it
was felt in the intelligence community that such a system of
classification was needed and we advised that it was. It was
pointed out to her that to be effective intelligence information
had to be protected and that to continue to obtain intelligence
information it was necessary to adequately protect the sources
and methods that produced the intelligence. She asked regarding
problems in --implementing it and it was explained to her that
members of the intelligence community have a good concept of
the value of intelligence, how it is obtained, and are security
conscious for the most part in protecting the information they
are entrusted with.
Ms. Shetetoff asked about authorization to classify and
explained generally how the authority was granted within
CIA and we also advised that all members of the intelligence community
do designate those individuals who are authorized to classify material
and at what levels. She asked if there were disagreements with
regard to classification. She was advised that in some cases this
would occur but that such disagreements could be decided and
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hopefully with due regard to prevent over classification and yet
protect sensitive sources and methods. It was mentioned that
it is recognized in some quarters it is felt that there is a great
tendency to over classify to protect errors, but it was mentioned
that in many cases the intelligence community has great success
which did reflect most credibly upon the community but there is
a complete realization within the community of the value of their
sources: and, therefore, the sensitive information is properly
protected.
-4. With regard to downgrading of information Ms. Sheketoff
asked if there was a conscious effort in the intelligence community
to downgrade information when the sensitivity had decreased and
she was advised that members were aware of their responsibility
in this regard. It was pointed out, however, that many times,
while material could be downgraded, there was a question remaining
as to whether complete declassification would not be harmful to
continuing programs or sources. She was advised, however, that
much information is being continually downgraded and declassified.
5. Ms. Sheketoff asked if members of the intelligence
community explained to the necessary- ersonnel its application at
advised her of the general
the time it was issued and
F
instructions issued within CIA as we as the fact that it was dis-
cussed from its issuance during indoctrination of new members
and that this is a continuing process. Further within the intelligence
community the individual departments and agencies continually
review their classification procedures. -
. 6. Concerning the Freedom of Information Act, Ms.
Sheketoff inquired if the Act itself caused a problem for the
individual agencies and she asked what effect the recent amend-
ments would have. She was advised that most, if not all, agencies
within the intelligence community had specific offices or personnel
to handle FOI inquiries and that they called upon other members
of the agencies and departments as necessary. I did say that I
thought FOI inquiries in many instances took a considerable time and
effort and that I felt the recent amendments would bring an additional
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burden on the various agencies. It was explained that the request
in many instances required rather detailed reviews of documents
and in many.cases presented rather complex problems which
would be most difficult to answer within the short period of time
indicated under the recent amendments.
7. Ms. Sheketoff asked if it was believed that the current
system of classifying would be improved upon if .,a new order or new
legislation was passed which only provided for one classification,
namely, Classified or Unclassified. I told her that this would not
seem to me to adequately address a problem and I pointed out
that there is a great difference in degrees of sensitivity in
intelligence information. I used as an example the situation
information does not need to be protected to any such degree. In
summary, I advised that a program of just classified or unclassified
information would not appear to me to fully address the problem.
8. Ms. Sheketoff asked if there was any 'legislation on the
books now that should be repealed or if-there was any new legislation
which might be suggested which would assist the intelligence
community. She was referred to legislation proposed by Mr. Colby
which has not yet been introduced in Congress but which would
hopefully prevent disclosure by individuals who obtained classified
information as a result of their employment within the intelligence
community.
9. During our conversation several questions came up with
regard to CIA's dealing with Congress and with CIA's disclosure
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to various Congressional committees and, since Ms. Sheketoff
was to meet with Mr. George Cary, Legislative Counsel, it
was suggested that these be taken up with him. It was also
suggested that Ms. Sheketoff discuss further with Mr. Cary
the legislation proposed by Mr. Colby.
Chairman
Security Committee
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