DOD AUTHORIZATION BILL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00158R000800110019-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 2, 2009
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: July 19, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2009/09/02 : CIA-RDP85M00158R000800110019-4
Approved For Release 2009/09/02 : CIA-RDP85M00158R000800110019-4
 Approved For Release 2009/09/02 : CIA-RDP85M00158R000800110019-4
July 19, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HONORABLE CASPAR W. WEINBERGER
The Secretary of Defense
$3 - 3-8.1 is
SUBJECT: DOD Authorization Bill and Chemical Weapons
Program
Senator Mack Mattingly, in the attached letter to the President,
recommends that some photographs and information related to
Soviet chemical and biological activities be declassified and
released to the public.
Mattingly argues that such a release is necessary to obtain
approval for our chemical program request. I believe that a
selective release, if possible, could be helpful.
I would appreciate you touching base with Bill Casey on this to
see what can be done. Considering that the Conference Action on
the Chemical Program will probably take place prior to the August
recess, your recommendation should be provided as soon as
possible.
William P. Clark
cc: The Director of Central Intelligence
Approved For Release 2009/09/02 : CIA-RDP85M00158R000800110019-4
 -- Approved For Release 2009/09/02 : CIA-RDP85M00158R000800110019-4
MACK M \TTINGLY
GEORGIA
UNITED STATES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20510
July 7, 1983
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
The recent action taken by the House of Representatives
in deleting from H.R. 2969, the FY 84 Defense. Authorization
bill, certain production funds that had been requested by you
for the initiation of a chemical weapons protective and
retaliatory program emphasizes, in my view, the importance of
undertaking an immediate review and declassification of all
appropriate information held by our government that pertains
to the activities of the Soviet Union with the research,
development, testing, production, transfer and/or use of
chemical, biological and toxin weapons.
It is apparent to me that the chemical weapons program
that you wish to initiate and that I believe is vital to our
national security will not be funded by Congress unless the
American people have an opportunity to assess the data on
Soviet activities.
An informed public would not only be a key factor in
securing the necessary funds for chemical weapons production
but would also be a significant asset during the current
nuclear "freeze" debate and with your efforts to obtain true
arms reduction agreements with the Soviets.
Just as you decided several months ago that1a similar
review and declassification process involving photographs and
information relating to Soviet activities in the Caribbean
would advance U.S. interests, so I believe that a similar
process applied to Soviet chemical, biological and toxin
activities would significantly enhance the chances of success
for the efforts being made by you to secure the peace through
a position of strength.
Please give this matter your immediate and personal
attention. Your action on this proposal could well be crucial
in achieving the goals that I know you and I share.
Sincerely,
Approved For Release 2009/09/02 : CIA-RDP85M00158R000800110019-4