ALTERNATIVE CI AND SECURITY EXECUTIVE POLICY INSTRUMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88G01117R000100060008-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 18, 2011
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 21, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

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UNCLASSIFIED
21 February 1986
NOTE FOR: DCI
SUBJECT: Alternative CI and Security Executive Policy Instrument
The attached correspondence was prepared by direction of the IG/CM
Chairman. The Community Counterintelligence Staff, independently of its role
as secretariat to the IG/CM, recommends support for the proposal of an
alternative executive-level instrument for promulgation of "routine" CI and CM
policy.
Delays in or lack of approval of proposed NSDDs on CI and CM policy,
while not always critical, devitalize efficient CI and CM planning. Delays
have perpetuated vacuums in areas requiring official policy statements for
commitment of resources and have also contributed to a sense of futility
amongst IG representatives participating in the policy development process.
Equally important, lack of expedient self-generated executive-level action
tends to make the executive branch ultimately appear to be primarily reactive
to external stimuli, e.g., Congress.
The IG/CM Chairman cites precedent for the promulgation of CI and CM
policy through White House correspondence signed "For the President" by
appropriate NSC officials. In light of the considerable number of ongoing and
imminent initiatives, it seems appropriate to again raise the potential for
filling recognized "routine" intelligence policy instrument needs. Examples
of these are those which direct executive branch establishment of security
awareness programs, reporting of hostile contacts, OPSEC programs, etc. The
recommendation of the IG/CM Chairman accommodates the obvious need for more
deliberate Presidential involvement in the more heavily consequential policy
matters, e.g., options to limit and control the hostile foreign presence,
foreign civil overflights of the US, national telecommunications and automated
information security, etc.
From the perspective of the CCIS, an alternative White House-level
executive policy instrument for promulgation of "routine" CI and CM policy
matters is essential and would receive wide endorsement and voluntary
compliance throughout the executive branch.
ie , CUTYfILS
Attachment:
a/s
UNCLASSIFIED
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Interagency Group/Countermeasures
Washington, D.C. 20505
10 FEB1986
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHAIRMAN, SENIOR INTERAGENCY GROUP/INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: Alternative Executive Policy Statement
Since the SIG-I apparatus was established in 1982, the
only form in which executive branch policy within our
jurisdiction has been promulgated has been the National
Security Decision Directive (NSDD), signed by the President.
As a practical matter, this has meant that certain
policy issuances prepared by, and transmitted through, the
SIG-I apparatus have languished at the NSC level for long
periods, because they did not appear, at least initially, to
rise to the level of Presidential decisionmaking (e.g.,
foreign ownership; security awareness; reporting hostile
contacts; the civil overflight security program; and
operations security). I do not quarrel with this, per se;
indeed, it seems clear certain of these proposals are not
sufficiently important to warrant Presidential attention or
action. They do, however, require action by an authoritative
executive branch official inasmuch as they affect many
departments and agencies.
My predecessor, General Stilwell, attempted unsuccessfully
some months ago to resolve this with Ken deGraffenreid and
Bob Kimmitt, suggesting to them that the President's National
Security Advisor be authorized to sign out executive branch
policy issuances which required action by the White House but
did not rise to the level of the President. No action was
taken on this suggestion.
I continue, with support of the IG/CM, to see the need
for such an alternative issuance if the SIG-I system is to
provide a workable policy mechanism. Indeed, the lack of.
such an alternative poses a serious practical obstacle to the
effectiveness of the system.
There is considerable precedent in previous administra-
tions for the Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs to sign policy memoranda applicable to departments
and agencies of the`-'executive branch. Speaking for the
Defense Department at least, such. memoranda were treated as
seriously and authoritatively as those signed by the President.
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We also continue to have doubts expressed by the
Congressional intelligence committees that the SIG-I apparatus
is effective. This would be, in the view of the IG/CM, one
positive action which could be taken to improve our performance.
The IG/CM thus urges you to raise with Admiral Poindexter
the desirability of an alternative form of policy issuance
which he, rather than the President, could sign. These sorts
of issuances might be limited to those which affect some, but
not all, departments and agencies, or which are limited in
scope and impact upon executive branch activities. An element
of judgment will necessarily be involved in deciding which
form may be appropriate, but I submit it will ordinarily not
be difficult to determine. I have attached a draft memorandum
from you to Admiral Poindexter for this purpose which I recommend
that you raise with him personally.
Craig Alderman,'Jr.
Chairman
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The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D.C. 20505
MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
SUBJECT: Need for an Alternative Form of Executive Policy Issuance
1. Since the SIG-I apparatus was established in 1982, the only form in
which executive branch policy within our jurisdiction has been promulgated has
been the National Security Decision Directive (NSDD), signed by the President.
2. As a practical matter, this has meant that certain policy issuances
prepared by, and transmitted through, the SIG-I apparatus have languished at
the NSC for long periods because they did not appear, at least initially, to
rise to the level of Presidential decisionmaking (e.g., foreign ownership,
security awareness, reporting hostile contacts, the civil overflight security
program, and operations security). I do not quarrel with this per se;'indeed,
it seems clear certain of these proposals are not sufficiently important to
warrant Presidential attention or action. They do, however, require action by
an authoritative executive branch official inasmuch as they affect many
departments and agencies.
3. Accordingly, I see the need for an alternative form of executive
issuance to provide a workable mechanism for the promulgation of policy
affecting multiple departments and agencies, albeit policy which is limited in
scope and impact, and does not itself require action by the President.
4. There is, as you are aware, considerable precedent in previous
administrations for the Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs to sign policy memoranda of this nature and, indeed, such memoranda
were regarded as authoritative by executive departments and agencies. Also,
the Congressional intelligence committees continue to express doubts regarding
the effectiveness of the SIG-I system, pointing to the relatively few actions
which have been approved by the President, most of which waited action for
many months. Adapting an alternative policy issuance appears to be one action
which might be taken to improve our performance, both in terms of the actions
which come to consummation and in terms of the time required to staff them.
5. If you agree with this concept and it is agreeable to the President,
I ask that you indicate your concurrence below and return this memorandum to
me. This will serve as authority for the SIG-I to develop and forward for
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your signature appropriate policy issuances which apply to multiple
departments and agencies but which, in our view, are limited in scope and
impact and, therefore, do not require action by the President.
William J. Casey
Chairman, Senior Interagency Group-Intelligence
CONCUR:
Assistant to the President for Date
National Security Affairs
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