FOIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00901R000600200016-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2005
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: February 8, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN

STAT
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Approved For Releasr-62UO5A1 t' : 33194RDP91-00901 RO 0600200016-6
WASHINGTON
FOIA
BY ROBERT MACKAY
CIA Deputy Director John McMahon told Congress Wednesday the Freedom of
Information Act has cost the agency the use of potential foreign spies who fear
the agency will be forced to reveal their identities.
McMahon testified in favor of a bill that would exclude from the freedom of
information process only the so-called operational files of the CIA -- those
dealing with current operations -- but would still allow citizens to request
information from all other CIA files.
"Foreign agents, some very important, have either refused to accept or have
terminated a relationship on the grounds ... the CIA is no longer able to
absolutely guarantee that they can be protected.'' McMahon told a House
Intelligence subcommittee.
''The FOIA also has had a negative effect on our relationships with foreign
intelligence services,'' he said. ''Our stations overseas continue to report
consternation over what is seen as a potential legal requirement to disclose
information entrusted to us."
A similar bill was approved by the Senate late last year and McMahon said,
"The exclusion ... of operational files will send a clear signal to our sources
and to those we hope to recruit that the information which puts them at risk
will no longer be subject to the process."
An American Civil Liberties Union represenative told the subcommittee the
group may support the legislation drafted by the intelligence committee.
ACLU spokesman Mark Lynch said the bill represents ''an important step
forward in balancing the interests of the CIA and the interests of the public
in appropriately applying the principles of the FOIA to the agency.''
"Our position continues to be that if this legislation will not result in
the loss of information now available under the FOIA, and if it will result in
the improved processing of requests, the ACLU will support it,'' Lynch said.
Approved For Release 2005/12/14: CIA-RDP91-00901R000600200016-6