CASEY RETRACTS THREAT TO SUE MEDIA FOR DIVULGING SECRETS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00561R000100110014-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 9, 2012
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: May 16, 1986
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/03/09: CIA-RDP91-00561 R000100110014-4
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By Rita McWilliams
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Casey retracts threat to sue
media for divulging secrets
5
A
Casey said disclosures of secrets by the press
publishing secrets he claims "destroyed or "is a severe problem we must address if our
seriously damaged" U.S. intelligence- fight against terrorism is to succeed:'
gathering abilities. "In recent years, publication of classified
"Where there already has been public dis- information has destroyed or seriously dam-
closure about communications intelligence, aged intelligence sources of the highest
the law has been violated but the milk has value," he said. "Every method we have of
been spilled," Mr. Casey said. "I would not, acquiring intelligence - our agents, our rela-
therefore, at this time favor action for these tionships with other security services, our
past offenses. "
But he said those laws "must be enforced" photographic and electronic capabilites, the
in the fh sa di os are to protect be our information we get from communications -
a nation and the safety of our citizens in has been damaged by the publication of unau-
as this age of international terrorism." thorized disclosures.
On another point, Mr. Casey said that since Mr. Casey told the AJC narrow that the laws he was
in-
the bombing last month that killed one U.S. formation dealing with communications intel-
soldier in a Berlin discotheque, the CIA dis- ligence."
covered "compelling. evidence" that four He said communications intelligence
other nightclubs U.S. servicemen frequent would include such information as Libyan
were terrorist targets. communications the United States inter-
Those nightclubs were in Spain,'lbrkey and cepted relating to the bombing of the Berlin
Germany, and the planned raids were de- disco, since disclosure of the intercept would
signed to inflict "maximum casualties," he indicate what U.S. code-breaking capabilites
said.
Mr. Casey's remarks in a luncheon address were.
before the American Jewish Committee those communications, nicgan later but offered details they
(AJC) represented his first public statement were disclosed by cat the np but only after they
on a flap that arose after he met with Wash- Mr. Casey Caseyes press, he said.
ington Post editors earlier this month and can inform said there are wdys reporters
warned them against publishing a story he cthe public withoutdisclosing n 11' tional secrets.
claimed would violate laws against disclosing Much talk at the 80th anniversary meeting
intelligence data. of the AJC centered on administration plans
Mr. Casey told the Post editors that the to lobby Jewish leaders to support an arms
Reagan administration was considering sale to Saudi Arabia. In response toa question,
criminal charges against The Post, The Mr. Casey said, "Saudi Arabia does cooperate
Times, Newsweek and Time magazines - with other countries in dealing with the ter-
and, by some accounts, The New York Times rorist threat.
- for what he called then "absolutely cold "Moderate Arab countries are the best de-
violations" of a 1950 statute prohibiting fense ... [and] they are very helpful to our
"knowingly and willfully" publishing classi- efforts," he said.
fied information about "communication intel- Mr. Casey noted the United States needs all
ligence activities of the United States or any the help it can get against terrorists, who he
foreign government." said "are everywhere, moving silently across
Mr. Casey's retreat yesterday got him and borders, and attacking with as much stealth
the administration off a public relations hook and surprise as they can manage."
wASUINGTON TIMES
16 May 1986
- Justice Department and White House offi-
cials have avoided public comment on his
threat t
k
o see
prosecution. In private, they
CIA Director William Casey yesterday have dismissed the idea as unsound.
backed off his threat to prosecute The Wash- His tactical retreat notwithstanding, Mr.
ington Times and other major news outlets for
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/03/09: CIA-RDP91-00561 R000100110014-4