RESOLUTION OF CONCERN EXPRESSED BY MAP SERVICES DIVISION/OCR TO DEFENSE MAPPING AGENCY AMENDMENT TO INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION BILL FOR FY 87

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87B00858R000400500021-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 23, 2011
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: December 17, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

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OLL 85-3304/4
17 December 1985
SUBJECT: Resolution of concern expressed by Map
Services Division/OCR to Defense Mapping
Agency amendment to Intelligence
Authorization bill for FY 87
1. The Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) sought to place on
firmer legal ground its authority to conduct mapping
activities in foreign countries. This authority was put in
jeopardy by a recent legal opinion by the Defense Department.
2. Since before WWII, the DMA has had executive
agreements with foreign countries to conduct mapping work in
those countries. Presently, there are about 180 agreements
with 80 different countries. Some countries give their
military exclusive authority to conduct mapping affairs,
while others use civilian agencies. Accordingly, DMA deals
with foreign military or civilian map agencies as
appropriate.
3. DMA finds it necessary to deal with local map
agencies to the extent that overhead systems cannot provide
accurate cartographic data. To fill the gap, the DMA will
send a team to the country to do what is required to map that
area. However, the cost of sending U.S. personnel has been
prohibitive; it is far less expensive to use local mapping
agencies. When local mapping personnel are used, the U.S.
sends them specialized equipment to assist in accurate and
efficient cartography. Because of the complexity of the
equipment, the U.S. sends training personnel too.
4. Under these agreements, the U.S. saves a good deal of
money by the utilization of locals rather than sending U.S.
persons to do the job. In this exchange the U.S. gets
significant raw mapping data as well as indirect access to
the territory of another sovereignty. The foreign country,
in turn, receives finished map product, training and
temporary use of equipment. Over the years the U.S. has
saved millions through these arrangements, particularly
through the use of locals.
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5. Such agreements, however, were put in doubt from a
legal standpoint in a memorandum from the General Counsel of
the DOD, Mr. Taft.. Since our laws governing the expenditure
of money are strictly construed, he determined that the DMA
provision of equipment, training and finished map product to
a foreign government without a return cash payment is
probably a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act. Even though
the use of local mapping authorities has saved the U.S.
millions, it still may be a technical violation of the Act
because the return of raw mapping data cannot be measured in
dollars to offset the of cost training, equipment and
finished map product. Taft also suggested that the provision
of such services to a foreign country may be unauthorized
foreign aid.
6. DMA regards the continuation of these long standing
agreements as an absolute necessity. These arrangements have
enabled the DMA to fulfill its statutory mandate at low
cost. To overcome this technical legal hurdle, the DMA seeks
the addition of a simple provision to the Intelligence
Authorization bill for FY 87.
7. Delivery of the DOD legal opinion on these mapping
arrangements precipitated a major crises at DMA.
Immediately, the General Counsel at DMA, Mr. O'Bloy, appealed
to HPSCI (Marty Faga) to obtain legal authority for
continuance of these arrangements. DMA's arguments were so
convincing and the emergency so pressing that HPSCI staff
managed to have language inserted in the DOD appropriations
bill for FY 86; it was too late for the Intelligence
Authorization bill for FY 86. Unfortunately, the DOD
appropriation bill provides for only one year of authority.
DMA now seeks permanent authority in the FY 87 Intelligence
Authorization bill. HPSCI supports the amendment.
8. When Map Division/OCR was alerted to the DMA request
during consideration of our legislative program for the
second session of the 99th Congress, they questioned this
"new authority" sought by DMA. said that the map
Division had no objection, if DMA had liaison with foreign
military mapping agencies, but they were concerned with DMA
relationships with foreign civilian map agencies.
9. I explained that DMA was not seeking new authority,
but was merely placing on firmer legal ground authority to
conduct the activities they have conducted since before
STAT
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WWII. I Iwas satisfied with the explanation and
withdrew any reservation about the amendment. In addition, I
also suggested that she call the General Counsel, Ed O'Bloy,
or DMA for a detailed half-hour briefing on this matter.
declined because all of her concerns had been resolved.
Deputy UVIOt, Legislation Division
Offi ,bf Legislative Liaison
Distribution:
Original - Leg/Sub - Legislative Program
1 - D/OLL
1 - DD/OLL
1 - OLL Chrono
1 - Signer
LEG/OLL (17 Dec 1985)
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
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