NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION DIRECTIVE: TASK FORCE ON COMBATTING TERRORISM (NSDD-179)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87M00220R000200340037-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 24, 2010
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: July 20, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/15: CIA-RDP87M00220R000200340037-3
M2 ~ .- 'I ) 0
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT L'GFD
ROUTING SLIP t (p
ACTION
INFO
DATE
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INITIAL
1
DCI
X
2
DDCI
x
3
EXDIR
4
o
D/ICS
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Com
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DDI
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DDA
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DDO
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DDS&T
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Chm/NIC
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GC
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IG
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Compt
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D/OLL
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D/PAO
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VC/NIC
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NIO/CT
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Ex ive Secretary
2 Jul 85
2 4 JUL
10, Jt, -6
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/15: CIA-RDP87M0022OR000200340037-3
CON Fl DENTIAL
THE WHITE HOUSE
July 20, 1985
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE HONORABLE GEORGE P. SHULTZ
The Secretary of State
THE HONORABLE JAMES A. BAKER, III
The Secretary of Treasury
THE HONORABLE CASPAR W. WEINBERGER
The Secretary of Defense
THE HONORABLE EDWIN MEESE, III
The Attorney General
THE HONORABLE ELIZABETH H. DOLE
The Secretary of Transportation
SYSTEM II
90763
Executive Registry
85- 2 910
THE HONORABLE DAVID A. STOCKMAN
The Director, Office of Management and Budget
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM J. CASEY
The Director of Central Intelligence
GENERAL JOHN W. VESSEY, JR.
The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
SUBJECT: National Security Decision Directive: Task Force
on Combatting Terrorism (NSDD-179) (C)
The President has signed the subject NSDD and it is transmitted
herewith. (U)
FOR THE PRESIDENT:
Attachment
National Security Decision Directive
CONFIDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/15: CIA-RDP87M0022OR000200340037-3
 - Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/15: CIA-RDP87M0022OR000200340037-3
CONFIDENTIAL
SYSTEM II
THE WHITE HOUSE
CONFIDENTIAL July 20, 1985
Na.ti.o na.e S ecun.ity
Decia.i.on DLnec-tive 119
TASK FORCE ON COMBATTING TERRORISM (U)
90763
International terrorism poses an increasing threat to U.S.
citizens and our interests. Terrorists are waging a war against,
not only the United States, but all civilized society in which
innocent civilians are intentional victims and our servicemen are
specific targets. (U)
The United States Government has an obligation to protect its
citizens and interests against terrorists who have so little
regard for human life and the values we cherish. To the extent
we can, we should undertake action in concert with other nations
which share our democratic institutions to combat the menace of
terrorism. We must, however, be prepared to act unilaterally
when necessary. It is, therefore, imperative that we develop a
sustained program for combatting terrorism. (C)
To ensure that all appropriate resources of the United States
Government are dedicated to this task, the Vice President is
appointed to convene a government-wide task force on combatting
terrorism. (U)
review and evaluate the effectiveness of current U.S. policy
and programs on combatting terrorism, to include:
an assessment of national priorities currently assigned
to effectively combat terrorism, especially earlier
recommendations regarding organization in NSDD-30 and
adequacy of intelligence responsibilities in NSDD-138
and Presidential Executive Order 12333;
the assignment of responsibilities and accountability
for ensuring interagency cooperation and coordination
before, during, and after a terrorist incident;
a review and evaluation of present laws and law
enforcement programs dealing with terrorism;
the adequacy of public awareness and support;
CONFIDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/15: CIA-RDP87M0022OR000200340037-3
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/15: CIA-RDP87M00220R000200340037-3
CONFIDENTIAL
CON FmEr;TiaL
provisions for funding and personnel; and
an evaluation of current levels of programs of
international cooperation and coordination.
make recommendations as appropriate to the President by the
end of 1985. (C)
The task force on combatting terrorism, chaired by the Vice
President, will include the Secretaries of State, Treasury,
Defense, and Transportation; the Attorney General, the Director
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Director of Central
Intelligence; the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget; the Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Chief of
Staff to the President; the Chief of Staff to the Vice President;
the Assistant to the Vice President for National Security
Affairs; the Executive Director of the Task Force; and others as
appropriate. (U)
The Vice President will appoint a senior Executive Director for
the task force who will work under the direct supervision of the
Vice President. The Executive Director may task any government
department or agency, individual or organization to contribute to
the work of the task force. To support the work of the task
force, a working group will be established for which members may
be drawn from departments/agencies represented on the Interdepart-
mental Group on Combatting Terrorism, the Interagency Intelligence
Committee on Terrorism, and others as appropriate. The working
group will prepare substantive recommendations to the task force
for consideration. (U)
The task force will select a group of consultants which will
provide advice to the task force as necessary. A Secretariat
Staff for the task force may be established as appropriate. (U)
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/15: CIA-RDP87M00220R000200340037-3