LETTER TO ADMIRAL STANSFIELD TURNER FROM CHARLIE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81M00980R001400080146-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 1, 2004
• Sequence Number: 146
• Publication Date: January 4, 1978
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-8
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
JAN 41. `
Admiral Stansfield Turner
Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D.C., 20505
I have reviewed your memorandum delivered on
December 1, 1977, with respect to a single point of
contact for responses to Congressional committee
requests for intelligence information. I believe
that the present system works quite well and cannot
agree. to a change to a more centralized system. My
reasons are as follows;
(1) Use of a. single focal point for all
replies to the Congress increases
the administrative burden on the
Executive Branch and decreases the
ability to respond in a timely manner.
(2) A single memorandum of understanding
has substantial disadvantages because
the needs and circumstances of the
various entities of the Intelligence
METt, -kre rrui i-r; eren an thase
differences are reflected appropriately
in individual arrangements with the
Congress,
(3) The Intelligence Community''s responsive-
ness to requests from Congress has been
quite good during this Administration
and centralization would not assist in
the evaluation effort because responsive-
ness should be assessed on a qualitative,
not quantitative basis.
(4) The current system is quite adequate to
protect intelligence sources and methods
because there is a good coo
he DCI and a sufficient level of care
t11
exercised by the agencies with respect
to disclosures to the Congress.
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 Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-&
I. will, of course, keep you informed about such requests
and our responses to them, and hope you would do the sama
for me.
On a related subject, I believe a more immediate
concern with respect to disclosure of intelligence
information arises in our dealings with the courts.
We have'a substantial need for a single spokesman to
vouch for the necessity to protect sources and methods
through the execution of necessary affidavits in legal
proceedings. As I understand it, your position in that
regard is that each agency head should vouch for the
information produced by his agency, rather than having
the DCI execute such affidavits on behalf of the
Community. Litigation about intelligence matters is
growing at a pace that I think requires a re-examination
of that position.
Sincerely,
814 Nd es 9
83 1
Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-8
 Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-8
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
JAN 197$
Admiral Stansfield Turner
Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D.C. 20505
0 ~I
Dear Stan:
I have reviewed your memorandum delivered on
December 1, 1977, with respect to a single point of
contact for responses to Congressional committee
requests for intelligence information. I believe
that the present system works quite well and cannot
agree to a change to a more centralized system. My
reasons are as follows
Cl) Use of ek single focal point for all
replies to the Congress increases
the administrative burden on the
Executive Branch and decreases the
ability to respond in a timely manner.
(2) A single memorandum of understanding
has substantial disadvantages because
the needs and circumstances of the
various entities of the Intelligence
Community are quite different and those.
differences are reflected appropriately
in individual arrangements with the
Congress.
(3) The Intelligence Community?s responsive-
ness to requests from Congress has been
quite good during this Administration
and centralization would not assist in
the evaluation effort because responsive-
ness should be assessed on a qualitative,
not quantitative basis.
(4) The current system is quite adequate to
protect intelligence sources and methods
because there is a good coordination with
the DCI and a sufficient level of care
exercised by the agencies with. respect
to disclosures to the Congress..
Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-8
 Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-8.
2
I will, of course, keep you informed about such requests
and our responses to them, and hope you would do the same
for me.
On a related subject,. I believe a more immediate
concern with respect to disclosure'of intelligence
information arises in our dealings with the courts.
We have.a substantial need for a single'spokesman to
vouch for the necessity to protect sources and methods
through the execution of necessary affidavits in legal
proceedings, As I understand it, your position in that
regard is that each agency head should vouch'for the
information produced by his agency, rather than having
the DCI execute'such'affidavits on behalf of the
Community. Litigation about intelligence matters is
growing at a pace that I think requires a re-examination
of that position.
Sincerely,
Approved For Release 2004/10/12 CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-8
 Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-8
'NCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL SECRET
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Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R001400080146-8