MEETING ON JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS SENATE REPORT LANGUAGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81M00980R002200050001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

Approved For Release 2006/10/31 : CIA-RDP81 M00980R0022N
OI,C-78-2924/2
31 August 1978
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Meeting on Justice Appropriations Senate Report Language
1. A meeting was held at Department of Justice (DOJ) offices in
order to discuss the possible affects of and available courses of
action to influence language in the Senate report on the Justice
Department appropriation bill (copy of relevant section of report
attached).
2. In attendance at the meeting were, in addition to others:
Mrs. Patricia Wald, Chairperson, Assistant
STAT
Attorney General for Legislative Affairs, DOJ
Mr. James Hoobler, Chief Program Review and
Budget Staff, DOJ
Mr. Michael Wenk, Program Review and Budget
Staff, DOJ
Mr. Larry Hammon - Deputy Legal Counsel, DOJ
Deputy Legislative Counsel, CIA
Assistant Legislative Counsel
CIA
,
Mr. Doug Colson, Legislative Affairs, FBI
Mr. Jim Nolan, Intelligence Division, FBI
Mr. O'Malley, Intelligence Division, FBI
Four representatives of the State Department
3. In response to a question regarding the legal impact of the report
language DOJ representatives stated that they would be in a position to
advise the Attorney General that the report language made no change
in current law and that its affect was nil. The recommendation, there-
fore, of Mr. Hammond's office was to do nothing, both based on the fore-
going legal opinion and in light of the fact that his office and State represen-
tatives were in the process or writing new, mutally acceptable guidelines
for visa procedures; an exercise which would speak directly to the long-
standing argument over turf between State and Justice (i.e. FBI) vis-a-vis
the denial of visas to and expulsion from the United States of legally
excludable aliens.
v1P1/CD
Approved For Release 2006/10/31 : CIA-RDP81M00980R002200050001-2
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4. Ms. Wald andi thereafter, with assistance from
State explained that it was not only the "legal" problem with which
we were concerned but rather the overriding political issue.
The spectre of a possible cut in next years Justice funds was, from
the viewpoint of Justice, the most deleterious possible long term affect of
Attorney General, non-compliance with the Senate report mandate. CIA
representatives explained the serious nature of probable Soviet retaliation
for such actions on the part of the U. S. Government.
5. It was finally agreed that one representative each from. the DOJ,
State, FBI and possibly CIA would meet with Senators Ernest Hollings
(D. , S. C.) and Lowell Weicker (R. , Conn.), the promoter and backer
respectively of the report language, in order to discuss with them the
views of the Executive Branch as well as the possible ramifications of
such mandated action should the Congress insist that it be totally enforced.
It was patently clear that FBI agreed to go only due to the pressure exerted
upon them by Ms. Wald. STAT
6. After the conclusion of the first meeting Messrs.
were invited into Mr. Hoobler's office. Mr. Hobbler, backed by Mr. Wenk,
explained that this provision was being pushed by the FBI, and, therefore,
FBI unlike CIA, Justice and State, felt it to be desirable language and
would, if possible, attempt to ensure its continued existence. Mr. Hobbler
requested that CIA attend the meeting with the Senators so that any ques-
tions relating to affect on CIA could be answered by CIA rather than a
surrogate Agency. The Legislative Counsel or his deputy will, therefore,
attend the meeting and continue to pay close heed to developments relating
to this issue. STAT
Assistant Legislative Counsel
Attachment
Distribution:
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OLC:MDC:sks:(31 August 78)
Approved For Release 2006/10/31 : CIA-RDP81M00980R002200050001-2