UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00831R000100210048-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 6, 2008
• Sequence Number: 48
• Publication Date: August 30, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210048-8
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 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210048-8
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 30, 1983
83-4411
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MEMORANDUM FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
SUBJECT: Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Information
Recent unauthorized disclosures of classified information
concerning our diplomatic, military, and intelligence activities
threaten our ability to carry out national security policy. ,
I have issued a directive detailing procedures to curb these
disclosures and to streamline procedures for investigating them.
However, unauthorized disclosures are so harmful to our
national security that I wish to underscore to each of you
the seriousness with which I view them.
The-unauthorized disclosure of our Nation's classified informa-
tion by those entrusted with its protection is improper,
unethical, and plain wrong. This kind of unauthorized disclosure
is more than a so-called "leak"--it is illegal. The Attorney
General has been asked to investigate a number of recent
disclosures of classified information. Let me make it clear
that we intend to take appropriate administrative action against
any-Federal employee found to have engaged in unauthorized
disclosure of classified information, regardless of rank or
position. Where circumstances warrant, cases will also be
referred for criminal prosecution.
The American people have placed a special trust and confidence
in each of us to protect their property with which we'are..
entrusted, including classified information. They expect us
to protect fully the national security secrets used to protect
them in a dangerous and difficult world. All of us have
taken an oath faithfully to discharge our duties as public
servants, an oath that is violated when unauthorized disclosures
of classified information are made.
Secrecy in national security matters is a necessity in this
world. Each of us, as we carry out our individual duties,
recognizes that certain matters require confidentiality. We
must be able to carry out diplomacy with friends and foes on
a confidential basis; peace often quite literally depends on
it--and this includes our efforts to reduce the threat of
nuclear war.
We must also be able to protect our military forces from
present or potential adversaries. From the time of the Founding
Fathers, we have accepted the need to protect military secrets.
Nuclear dangers, terrorism, and aggression similarly demand
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that we must be able to gather intelligence information
about these dangers--and our sources of this information
must be protected if we are to continue to receive it. Even
in peacetime, lives depend on our ability to keep certain
matters secret.
As public servants, we have no legitimate excuse for resorting
to these unauthorized disclosures. There are other means
available to express ourselves:
We make every effort to keep the Congress and the
people informed about national security policies
and actions. Only a fraction of information
concerning national security policy must be
classified.
-- We have mechanisms for presenting alternative
views and opinions within our government.
-- Established procedures exist for declassifying
material and for downgrading information that may
be overciassified.
-- Workable procedures also exist for reporting wrong-
doing or illegalities, both to the, appropriate
Executive Branch offices and to the Congress.
Finally, each of us has the right to leave our position of
trust and criticize our government and its policies, if that
is what our conscience dictates. What we do not have is the
right to damage our country by giving away its necessary secrets.
We are as a Nation an open and trusting people, with a proud
tradition of free speech, robust debate, and the right to
disagree strongly over all national policies. No one would
ever want to change that. But we are also a mature and
disciplined people who understand the need for responsible
action. As servants of the people, we in the Federal Government
must understand the duty we have to those who place their
trust in us. I ask each of you to join.me in redoubling our
efforts to protect that trust.
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