LETTER TO JOHN T. ELLIFF FROM CHARLES A. BRIGGS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87B00858R000200210016-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 18, 2011
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: August 14, 1984
• Content Type: LETTER

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/18: CIA-RDP87B00858R000200210016-4
Mr. John T. Elliff
Select Committee of Intelligence
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
14 AUG 198
I am writing in response to your request tol lof
our office for a statement that Senator Huddleston could make
publicly concerning the ban on assassination in Executive
Order 12333. In particular you wanted the statement to address
the scope of the Executive Order's coverage and the
Intelligence Community's compliance with it. We have reviewed
closely the statement that you provided with your request and
have the following thoughts.
We believe that the value, if any, of a public debate at
this time on the scope of, as well as Intelligence Community
compliance with, this prohibition is outweighed by the adverse
precedent such a debate would establish. Such a precedent
could lead to public debate concerning Executive order
compliance in any matter in which the CIA may have an
association. We believe that such a precedent would be
extremely dangerous.
As you know the prohibition contained in Executive Order
12333 is explicit. You also know that this is a prohibition
with which the Intelligence Community complies. As always, we
stand accountable to our Congressional Oversight Committees
concerning our compliance with this and every other provision
of the Executive Order. Consequently, we think it is not
appropriate for the Agency to endorse a public statement for
Senator Huddleston defining the scope of an Executive order,
the definition of which is really a Presidential prerogative.
Sincerely,
Charles A. Briggs
Director, Office of Legislative Liaison
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/18: CIA-RDP87B00858R000200210016-4