REACTIONS TO THE PRESIDENT'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE FACT OF SATELLITE PHOTORECONNAISSANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-00142R000600080002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 36
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 15, 2002
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 14, 1978
• Content Type: MF

SECRET
25X1
Approved For Remise 2002/07/03 : CIA-RDP81-00142ROQ00080002-
14 NOV1978
DCI/RM 78-5462
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FROM:
Deputy to the CI for Resource Management
SUBJECT: Reactions to the President's Acknowledgment
of the Fact of Satellite Photoreconnaissance
REFERENCE: State Dept Memo to Dr. Brzezinski; same subject,
dtd Oct 14, 1978
'stry
1. (U) Action Requested: None. For your information only.
2. (C) Background:
a. The President directed declassification of the "fact
of" satellite photoreconnaissance and publicly acknowledged
this fact in a 1 October speech on space policy.
b. The Department of State was tasked, by the NSC, to
prepare and implement a consultation plan to minimize the risk
of adverse foreign reaction. This plan was implemented just
prior to. the President's announcement, (during the period from
27-29 September).
c. Reference (attached) contains the State Department's
summary of reactions to the President's announcement.
3. (S) Discussion:
a. No adverse reactions have been noted among those of
the Congress, the U.S. public, the Soviets, our Allies, the
U.N., and foreign media. Soviet Minister Vasev did note,
however, that official U.S. acknowledgment could touch on the
sensitivities of third countries and that they may have some
problems.
25X1
State Dept., NSC reviews completed
LC~ET
Approved For Release 2002/07/03: CIA-RDP81-00142RO
 Approved For Rele 2002/07-70: CIA-RDP81-00142R006D0080002-9
SUBJECT: Reactions to the President's Acknowledgement of
the Fact of Satellite Photoreconnaissance
b. The discussion of the U.S. public reaction is
interesting because it points out (as we had predicted at the
SPRC meeting) that acknowledgment of the "fact of" has not
completely relieved public concern about verification of a
SALT TWO agreement and that the public continues to show
skepticism and a fascination with "hardware". The State
Department memo concludes that "In the end, some discussion of
satellite photoreconnaissance beyond "fact of" may be required
to overcome public cynicism. An interagency task force chaired
by the DCI is examining the specific issue of a selective and
phased release of photoreconnaissance imagery. An options
paper is due to the PRC (Space) by February 15, 1979." This
conclusion underlines my previous comments to you about the
importance of the DCI sponsored study on release of photo-
reconnaissance imagery and my concern about pressures for
early release in support of SALT TWO ratification.
c. I have taken steps to circulate this memo within the
Intelligence Community.
25X1
Attachment:
State Dept Memo dtd
14 Oct, 78
Approved For Release 2002/07/03 : C?i4-RDP81-00142R000600080002-9
 Approved For Release 2002/07/03: CIA-RDP81-00142ROO 00080002-9
25X1
SUBJECT: Reactions to the President's Acknowledgment of the Fact of
Satellite Photoreconnaissance
Distribution: (DCI/RM
0
25X1
25X1
Orig - DCI, w/att
1 - DDCI, w/att
1 - D/SAFSS, w/att
1 - D/DCI/CT, w/att
1 - Assistant to the DCI for Public Affairs, w/att
1 - Legislative Counsel, w/att
1 - DDA, w/att
1 - D/NFA, w/att
1 - DDS&T, w/att
1 - DDO, w/att
1 - Chief, SALT Support Staff, w/att
1 - Executive Registry, w/att
1 - D/DCI/RM Chrono, w/att
1 - RMS/CLLO, w/att
1 - RMS/IRO, w/att
1 - RMS/PAO, w/att
1 - RMS/PBO, w/att
1 - RMS/PGO, w/att
1 - RMS/PAO Chrono, w/att
11 - RRMS/TPAOO,, w/att
1 - D /DCI/Ov Cirono,wwa/att
DCI/RM/PA0/
(2 Nov 78)
Approved For Release 2002/07/03 : CIA-RDP81-00142R000600080002-9
 -thel fact of satellite pnotuLeC:w?a1o
summarv was intended to survey the! respopses we've -. ''
W002-9,
JCS - Ma j Genega. ; ., ._.....,
FROM: PM/SA - Arnold Kanter4;;!~
_ i.
reaction
.,oT Q~ Ma-1 _ o' Hern
Reactions to the President's Acknowl d eent of
f
Photor Gonna ssance ~- ---~-
i
;`
te
the Fact of Sate l
1: rr
Sit:
hr-
Frank Press's office asked the Stat Department
s to the declassifi ation of
L _-
6000d00O2
-rec lvea UU
fol ow-up may be '' needed. r- ,t; a
 71100477/
.
v- ;S' 1 1
06000 Q02 im
the/r~,or 14 1g7B
~._ ... :_ ... .,._ ..:. ? _ s to Fre:idant's ,ir-ckr owledgment of
Reaction
aC t , l a._ oh
tor cnnnaissance
o
-Thefollowing is a au~ranarY o yea itions to the~K
d i is October- 1,
auraouncetment eontaine
Prtaident's _ =. _ _
Congre~aional } 1 = -
_... . rt-ate evartment/'
:T- :Ons~sltatins n:. +
i__..... -_ Congregsionaa Xetat u ? ...~......,~___,
...-,~,
_ -a tonal officesabout the 'de=cis ion' to deyclassi and
:
ident October 1
,
in the Pres
- < s : - aekn Ledge fact of
ch ston Culver
Cr
CInrk
h
ur
Bh Byrd ,
C
;Pee say p xehia , " Peli; Prox.r!e , :->
tmi '
_ Hamilton, Hart ]Kennedy,-
and Zablocki:.
6tennis;
t thi announcement
h
a
tion was t
..,.~~..I g A~
The general reac - -- were lad the, S.&n.,i a - he a bit of a non-event, but* the
f ~ciall
i
stration was finally o
~,dmini .Fr%.r srsmt time,*- ..They
ca nine that this would make the' I n..~_
....: _ ss~ls~ublic Reactions - _ . - "~ t ; - -...`~ i.. ?? ._
Verification is 'probably the
bs eeble to da~a~. erith this
Wo Lust
but SALT, - ur~dsrstood f aBbion- if.. .,_: ~ ?
.f aaus_ #s- a concrete eabley tition of sayirm;
--sd? era :to avoid the untan Pc
erej no negative ramPva,.a. .,.. --._ - , cha?~-r~.~.--...
or foilco ing? the Presidents
diL& re g _..
4r,b easier in explaining verification of 5l4LT. e _
L _ Z3 Aurina the
t.ir {i,I(1Yrt MS ? _ _ "~Y - a - ' 1 , r y`?-
1_ vca.f+wt^~tcrca ~gSLFty~ vvvv, vv.yv~syoc,.1~ f _
 ,- . _ .. ~ -,?S r7,14 d.f+ir ~.rt ..~J. r.-.. .,. '; ~.. t71? f _~.'a ` t } ,7. ~~- ~? Yrf ~ `. .
~.. r.? .~~' S ~.r ~ i.. "- .~- iT t ~r.}?? a r0./s. s... - ~~
incs the fact of photar connaissanct ,>
t
+ = - _ , . A t
s s
inq ~ngagemsn
_ ` =_:; ~atsl.ltes eras declassif isd. This preliinary experf
dsclassificatiol. of : he 'fact of" . ?':_;;`'
T-~hcs indicates that
~ ,-
ietel
y
f'co,a
'
h
y
p
o
as
nfidence butt
has = increased public co
n
ce
r
,__ isv*a LubliC con
r, .. 'r
Tw0 Speakers have.trie -to d' rect Ithe
.agzeament. ~._~,.r....w_:iv,.~
discussion to broader aspects of verification "~-
:.r--~
enhance = T?=~
hi
y
c
w
of the Treat
ts _
ts
s
l
emen
, e
(principle
show-
t but the public ; conti ues to
ha e
i
i
~.. ~;
on
- ~?~ =~ - . _>.a~:.~
_. skepticism and _.a -=ascina t
- - -----------
- v. the debates a r- 1 t I1:::
we-get :a better' feel- -for "the piecise nature of the a ;: _:. ~y
' :ter ~ ` -e'~ ?...
::i=res.", t~ . r +.
public_-s_ concerns, we:.-will_better he= abl~e to" "judg ; a
z-- ~rhether any ==addit .onaI step s ma be`necesuar or d4iry.-, =
. ussion~of satellite photo-~, ~~
In the end,..some disc
reconr?aissance beyo:?RI-Wfact of may, be required to
-=~ ` - interagency task ' force--
overcome-publf c cynicism:. An' . r~
t .. .. ~},o' enc. i fic issue
-j chalrea ny -
release of - hoto ~ecannais'sanee
d
: -~`a selective 'and phase
Y..
imag _-An- options paper: is due to th PRC (SpIace), b I~ T.yr
F ,= ~- I , 1~ Y
- sQbruary 1S- -1929._
:,II zr
Soviets yy ;:. :.: ,r~?{~Q {- .tyxy ~I~ "~
_', L y.r r'. ~i(7w r~ .G _NSK?-!'~.. Z ^I It ,-`+'!^ iJY 4?t.
r?. se~ - J^- .- L.. -lat. ) t#-Mrt+ ?'~PL~I~L?~~I-V of Seat
&ovle MInisLei v sac v
all said- that the Soviet Union would-'not h
- =- person-Y'-. ... , t _ -..: ~_...- Q Ac-tirlnwied ant' and ~.,_:v r,rte-?; - -
- - `- notedI-that photoreconnai88aa-.a
capabilities
"backbone"- of both sides' verification
~. t fie safd;-however., that official- US `acknbwledgrnent
? ' -
r.~ sensitivities of third countries:_
could;-touch on the :,~l:~s~ -ay_
roblems - He' observed
"~-- and that they might have acme p 4t~ . =a
,
been r .~ rl;?
that,photoreconr~aissa-nce satellites had'
_.officialYy acknawlsdged by the Soviet Up( font. Vascv-
}...
^? ; .-.F M1. I some , ,.~~ ~,
concern that-dac lassificationfcould
~:.e:xpre~sse,d .
'l- nzuaber of -issues`-suchAi-?== ,. -
have ramifications for:.
. ...,r
-hose being +dealt Frith- in -the UN Outer space Caamittee. r k
-=r .~,:? :;~;, , u ,~ ~~ , } _~vJ^ ? . ~.~. ~;++ :."wkr r' .c''s f ~.~~ '-~? _ - Yi "3'f~cr~'?'~t~ : - ~ .b{~~ t S ?^Y
., x_77 .^ ee?+-.. yY? ran." 'l'w e2!?' ri 4.r4t"4+-..< ?" -r,;..r ~,CS:e ra. t
has barer Sao further Soviet "diplomatic
231-
'' =
'
=;
hers
.~ _ r 29 Goodby ~ttasev meetings
.. '-'.-.~ r'? - ... ~~ i ~~~.7 ~ . ;? ~ ~ For 3 ~.~ - ~. - 1 + i' * - ~ ~" ~. '}?? .R' ? .3-'~ ~~ ~.^-h..?c? r. "T..x
`~ '~i r'`s? .p,4~~- i~'.a+f r'L-~ '?~ ~' -ii ~. 43. ~'~rr S 4 _.
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_ _._ :,.' ..r !-.. l i e s y ;- w p _ i -3...~r.-i?t'S r.._ eY m t .a....+?"..-~+: t
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iw
4L Or`:R"nnett-nfora d the RATOallies
7 - 9VrI'7d41'..! a? t ""rj'+t +i-~ ar .~. rr
On ~! S r qR..- f P?".,.
 Ai4nrnvPd For RPIPanp 200'2107/03 Eh4~RI~PR1= (~1d2R~0A600080002-9
The Trench DCM to NATO was informed privately that
declassification of the fact of satsllit'er photo .-tf>x->
rocon~aisRance does not change the : unfavorable US view
nai verifica- ~;:.
an internati
r
l f
a
-'
a
of the Tr.>ch proposa
OWL- T
h tYCH ex
r.i d
ren
p
informed mace no cpirurenL Ui &wm%w6Avj# ^.~~~..-r
Dapartment of Foreign Af fairs requested (additional
A. I-
speech, to ensure that they could fully brief govern-_
a-ont ministers. ~,.?;a
Special Australian xnLC=csL -L s uvc aa- r.aa a. w ?? ~~ ^'- .i-:> : _`~' 1
Government's need to be.'able,publicly t explain and :;.
olicies and practice that may !
fense
i
US d
,
p
e
defend
involve Australia. It also reflects th aftermath' of
`' a recent episode -in which the Minister f Defense was
i i P li'ament "`"
i
t
queried by the pppos
The Australian actions priraaiily ~+ere precautions
r.1G:
f th President's speech.
Department of Foreign Af fairs off ;cial$I predicted no. ;;;
? ---- -- .-. t,9 4
United Nations
-b noM dale ate reaction
h
as ten g _ i.....
Thus far, there
li~3Ce1 however' :I",4..
s
, Y? !~~: ~_;_~~~~;
the President's announcement.
that 4interested governments still-are considering
early as October ib when the UN Spec a 7.~
i~ozk is -~
s
express their interests and Passible
i political
ghat public position they should take . They may , -,-.-
We also are likely to encounter r fated issues W4,.;
M the weeks and months ahead s
ern,. fit~r: has been trvinq -to die
f t `}
','
w that the 'us has publicly acknowledged
Y
)
'
'
c
w tion
ompliance with arm ;' .
- +:
in
rif
~
-
g
y
-aatallitas --~=~;?~~..
.:-;~-?;~.;- sale rif
we will face the task of making
ts
=
m
r
ee
,
en
ol a-g
cont
blic case :for opposing international'
a
r r .
sive pu
persu
the~iz plan: lt.L~
_
ahead with
h
_'
_
go
verification if :the Frenc
ZA,
1 - c vet f`rtr arse= (j 0 ~I - 42RO G000~0 ~~;
1~,. -r
Coattiittee addresses outer apace 'sue
 UN Outer ac (OSC') . f issue
. MJpt V'wU-FVI. RGIC5b LVVLIV1IVJ VIF1-RL/r01-VV-f~F~RVV~V
t ccusaLions or BPYinq.' Thsrs ma
o ths_ W to condemn as espionage ,..