SATELLITE RECONNAISSANCE SECURITY POLICY ALTERNATIVES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81B00401R002000130008-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 2, 2002
• Sequence Number: 8
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2003/02/27: CIA-RDP81 80040180
25X1 MEMORANDUM FOR:
Deputy to e 1 for Resource M
25X1 FROM:
Deputy to the for Collection T
SUBJECT: Satellite Reconnaissance Security
Policy Alternatives
REFERENCE: IC 78-5244, 5 September 1978
forwarded under reference, is the continued lack of precis
with the issue of "facts about" US. imagery satellite progra
with regard to the identification and capabilities of the coll
1. Our major concern with the current paper on this imagery satellite programs: (a) the "fact of"; and (b) de
themselves.
2. The present paper deals with only two facets of d
?
of the derived intelligence and imagery products. Between
the additional data category of the whole range of detail rel
NRP imagery collection program itself and the satellite sys
Declassification of only the basic "fact of" is of extremely li
in developing public confidence in US monitoring capabiliti
the benefits cited in the present version, some "facts about
the collection systems would be required. That step raises
of issues and risks that are not adequately addressed in th
since the question is not precisely identified.
3. This can only result in general confusion and int
arguments when we turn to attempting implementation. It i
have this issue thrashed out in advance of Presidential dec
case, since all of the alternative decision actions proposed
paper call for further study or prior preparation of implem
I would expect to be able to deal further with this problem
Approved For Release 2003/02/27: CIA-RDP8180040180
02000130008-1
subject, as
ion in dealing
ms, particularly
ection systems
ata on the US
classification
these two lies
ating to the
tems it employs.
mited value
es. To achieve
" the NRP and
a broad range
e present paper
erpretive
s desirable to
ision. In any
in the present
enting guidelines
at that time.
02000130008-1
anagement
asking
 Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000130008-1
4. While I support declassification of the "fact of" a US imagery
satellite program, the further issue of declassifying the products of
that program is a grave one, requiring the most thorough study. I
believe that the serious risks associated with such a step should be
better highlighted in the paper. For example, the last. two "ticks" on
page 5 should lead off the listing of risks.
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000130008-1
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