INTERIM REPORT ON THE NATIONAL COUNTERINTELLIGENCE POSTURE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88G01117R000100040007-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 7, 2011
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: February 4, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/07: CIA-RDP88GO1117R000100040007-9
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The DUCCbDr of Ccntrall iitdUgcnce 86- 0377
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4 February 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
SUBJECT: Interim Report on the National
Counterintelligence Posture
Section 402 of the current Intelligence Authorization Act (Public Law
99-169 dated 4 December 1985) mandates that, on or about 4 April, the
President report on "the capabilities, programs, and policies of the
United States to protect against, detect, monitor, counter, and limit
intelligence activities by foreign powers, within and outside the United
States, directed at United States Government activities or information,
including plans for improvements which presently are within the authority
of the executive branch to effectuate, and recommendations for
improvements which would require legislation to effectuate.' The SIG(I)
has the responsibility to prepare this report for NSC consideration and I
have established an ad hoc working group under General Stilwell to
facilitate this effort.
The legislative provision reconciles the separate initiatives of the
two Select Committees. The HPSCI has primary interest in the
Presidential report itself, particularly statements of desired enabling
legislation. On the other hand, the major interest of the SSCI is on the
Administration's input to, and continuing collaboration in, shaping a
parallel report which the SSCI is committed to make to the Senate after
turning aside Senator Byrd's proposal to create a National Commission on
Security and Espionage. More to the point, Senator Durenberger, in a
letter to the President, voiced the hope that the SSCI report to the
Senate would constitute an agreed executive branch/congressional agenda
for improvement of the national counterintelligence and security
posture. (The HPSCI has no concern about such collaboration provided the
content of the Presidential response to Section 402 is not skewed by
foreknowledge of the SSCI's position on key issues.)
There is a complicating factor. While Section 402 does not so
provide, the Conference language accompanying the Act requests an interim
report be submitted to the two Select Committees 60 days in advance of
the President's final report. Neither Committee is prepared to waive
this stipulation but each has a different view as to form and content:
-- The HPSCI expects a report, however brief, on progress in meeting
the Section 402 requirement, plus a forecast of the legislative
proposals most likely to be in the President's report.
./TL11r&IT T A 1
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CONFIDENTIAL
The SSCI has requested informal comments on its draft report to
the Senate and, consistent with its focus, would accept a copy of
the SIG(I)'s analysis of the SSCI draft in satisfaction of the
intent of the Conference language. The HPSCI, incidentally, has
no objection to the inclusion of such comment in the interim
report.
In light of the divergent positions of the two Select Committees and
the compelling need to concentrate attention on the final report. I
propose the following course of action as the most practical way to
discharge the interim report requirement:
That, in my capacity as Chairman, SIG(I), I make the interim
report to the Chairmen of the two Committees on behalf of the
President.
That the interim report cover these areas:
-- A summary of the several actions under way to enhance our
counterintelligence and security posture;
-- A list of the pertinent legislative proposals which are under
consideration within the Administration; and
-- SIG(I) informal comments on the counterintelligence section
of the draft SSCI report (all that has been issued thus far).
That comments on the balance of the draft SSCI report be provided
Wi l7i arj JJC
irman
Senior Interadei'y Group (Intelligence)
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/07: CIA-RDP88GO1117R000100040007-9