LETTER TO WILLIAM H. TAFT IV FROM WILLIAM J. CASEY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 31, 2010
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: February 19, 1985
• Content Type: LETTER

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
TRANSMITTAL SLIP DATE
TO: NI0/AL/DL Chrono File
ROOM NO. BUILDING
REMARKS:
FROM: A/N I0/AL (CBW )
ROOM NO.
BUILDING
EXTENSION
>; 1560- 241
REPLACES FORM 36-8 (47)
WHICH MAY BE USED.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
- Central Intelligence Agency W
9 FEp 1985
The Honorable William H. Taft IV
Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C.
Dear Will:
We have received your letter of 7 February requesting review of the
draft Charter and agenda of the "Chemical Warfare Review Commission." The
scope of the Commission's inquiry is outside the charter of the Intelli-
gence Community and I therefore will refrain from comment on its purpose
and substance. The Intelligence Community will continue, however, to
provide support where requested and appropriate. I would like to emphasize
that several of the proposed briefing topics in the Charter involve very
sensitve material, and it is essential that the members of the Commission
be cleared through appropriate channels prior to access to these classified
materials.
Sincerely,
f
William J. Casey
Director of Central Intelligence
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP8 O029R000400730034-9
SUBJECT: Letter for Deputy Secretary of Defense re Chemical Warfare
Deterrence from the DCI
A/NIO/AL/PM:14 February 1985 NIC 00812-85 STAT
Distribution:
Original - Addressee
1 - DCI
1 - DDCI (w/o ref)
1 - Executive Director (w/o ref)
1 - Executive Registry
1 - DDO
1 - D/ICS
1 - C/NIC
1 - VC/NIC
1 - C/ACIS
1 - D/OSWR
1 - D/OIA
1 - NIO/AL/DL
1 - A/NIO/AL/DL
I/]----N I O/AL /DL Chrono (w/o ref)
1 - NIO/AL/DL CBW File
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
7 FEB 1985
Honorable William J. Casey
Director, Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20501
Dear Bill:
494
The Executive Order, 12502, signed on 28 January 1985,
established the bipartisan "Chemical Warfare Review Commission"
which was required by the Department of Defense Authorization
Act, 1985. The purpose of the Commission is to review national
policy and programs for deterring chemical warfare. In their
review the Commission will be tasked to provide sequential reports
on basic issues by 1 April 1985. If the Commission agrees with
the Administration's logic, then the three issues to be addressed
will be:
1. Task Number 1: Should the United States continue to have
a chemical retaliatory capability and chemical defense to deter
chemical, biological and toxin attacks against the U.S. and its
allies?
2. Task Number 2: If the Commission finds that the United
States should continue to maintain a chemical retaliatory cap-
ability to deter chemical attack, is the current U.S. chemical
stockpile sufficient for that purpose and, in particular, is the
current U.S. chemical stockpile of unitary chemical weapons a
credible deterrent to the Soviet Union's use of chemical weapons
against the United States and its allies?
3. Task Number 3: If the Commission determines that chemical
weapons are the best means of deterring chemical warfare and
that the current United States stockpile is, or will become
insufficient for this purpose, what should be d one?
I believe that the Commission could perform a salutary
service by acting as the catalyst needed to form the national
consensus necessary to reestablish a credible deterrent capability.
I solicit your support in this effort to ensure that the
Commission receives the appropriate information in the chemical
warfare arena. I have also sent this letter to the Secretary of
State and the Director, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
The Commission Chairman and members are expected to be named by
the President soon. I believe that such a Commission, made up
of prominent national leaders, deserves first hand information
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9
from principal Administration leaders. The Commission's proposed
activities are addressed in the attached Charter, draft agenda
and tentative schedule. Request that you review the draft and
forward any recommendations for appropriate modifications not
later than 15 February 1985.
Point of contact is LTC Frank Sisti, Staff Manager,
Presidential Review Commission on Chemical Warfare Deterrence,
695-1097.
Sincerely,
William H. Taft, IV
Deputy Secretary of 'Defense
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/31 : CIA-RDP87R00029R000400730034-9