FOIA LEGISLATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R001502640009-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 15, 2008
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: January 11, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2008/04/15: CIA-RDP85M00364RO01502640009-8
OGC 83-00293
11 January 1983
MEI40RANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
FROM: Stanley Sporkin
General Counsel
SUBJECT: FOIA Legislation
1. I believe that there are two key things which need
to be done immediately to get our FOIA relief efforts
launched effectively in the new Congress.
-- First, there has to be a highly visible
demonstration of Administration interest in
securing Intelligence Community FOIA relief.
The best way to do this would be to have the
President mention the issue in his State of the
Union Message. The statement does not have to
specify exactly what kind of relief the
Administration wants, but it should promise
that a proposal will be sent to the Congress.
I have attached such an FOIA insert. Getting
it included in the State of Union will,
in my judgment, require your personal inter-
vention with the President or those closest to
him.
-- Next, the Administration must formally submit a
legislative proposal to the Congress. I am now
preparing a package for transmittal to the Office
of Management and Budget. I would anticipate that
we will have to expedite the legislative clearance
process with at least one high-level meeting
involving Department of Justice and Intelligence
Community officials. Our proposal will be along
the lines of the original Chafee Bill (i.e.,
exclusion of certain file categories from search
and review), but it will reflect the agreements
that reportedly have been reached with outside
parties. It also will be designed to allow us room
to make some compromises and trade-offs-during the
legislative process.
2. I recommend, therefore, that as an initial step you
attempt to have the President include the attached insert in
his State of the Union Message.
Stanley Sporkin
I?
Approved For Release 2008/04/15: CIA-RDP85M00364RO01502640009-8
 Approved For Release 2008/04/15: CIA-RDP85M00364RO01502640009-8
INTELLIGENCE INSERT
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
This year I intend to work closely with the Congress
as we continue to enhance national security by strengthening
our intelligence capabilities. Recognition of the need to
correct weaknesses in this critical area has resulted in
commitment of the resources necessary to ensure that in the
coming decades our government will have the information it
needs to safeguard American interests. Last year I proudly
signed the Intelligence Identities Protection Act into law,
.providing long overdue protection for the brave men and
women who serve in difficult and often dangerous intelligence
assignments.
But more remains to be done. We need legislation to*
relieve our intelligence agencies from time-consuming and
costly requirements which distract them from their vital
missions. i intend to send to the Congress a legislative
proposal to provide relief for our intelligence agencies from
the incongruous burdens of the Freedom of Information Act. We
must end the wasteful and debilitating diversion of resources
and critically needed intelligence skills, and ensure that
individuals and governments around the world remain confident
of the determination and ability of the United States to
protect information confided io us. I look forward to working
with the Congress in achieving this most important goal.
Approved For Release 2008/04/15: CIA-RDP85M00364RO01502640009-8