PROPOSED CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFINGS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82M00345R000700010085-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 21, 2005
• Sequence Number: 85
• Publication Date: March 2, 1977
• Content Type: MF

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OLC #77-0728
2 March 1977
MEMORANDUM FOR: George L. Cary
SUBJECT: Proposed Congressional Briefings
1. This is in response tol memorandum
of 1 March requesting my suggestions on a plan to expand
Agency briefings to other committees of Congress.
2. I feel that what has come up with,
though vital to the program, is too narrow. In order to
make this program meaningful, and to be of maximum bene-
fit to committees of Congress, I suggest that, if possible,
the DDI come up with a list of Agency publications on the
various subjects that has noted plus other sub-
jects which may be of Congressional interest. I don't
feel that our support should be limited to briefings
alone.. If we can provide periodic reports of interest we
should be able to satisfy committee requirements with
periodic briefings as needed. The listing of publications
should indicate levels of classification and purposes for
which they are prepared to determine if Congressional
dissemination is appropriate. The first crack should
list all unclassified publications of subjects considered
appropriate since most committees can better utilize the
information. I would go so far as to say that if this
program is intended to be meaningful, a positive program
should be established to prepare unclassified publica-
tions on subjects of high interest which would be prepared
specifically to meet Congressional needs. Perhaps the
economic and energy committees are good examples of prime
customers. Hopefully, this could be done, without adversely
affecting meeting the Agency's statutory requirements
within the Executive Branch.
3. Further, I think it very unwise to directly con-
tact staff or other committees to establish this broadened
program without first clearing this with our oversight
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committees. Such a broad program should not only have
their approval, but we need their guidance and assistance.
Also, there must be a clear understanding as to what role,
if any, the committees may want to play. I am sure they
will give us full support.
4. Before making any contacts, we should keep in
mind that certain committees may not want classified informa-
tion since this inhibits full utilization of the information
and creates security problems; i.e., clearances, storage,
etc. A clear example is Chairman Olin Teague, House
Science and Technology Committee, who has made it clear
many times that he does not want his Committee involved in
classified information. He feels such information is
unnecessary to carry out the responsibilities of his
Committee and, as he has stated, he finds it difficult
to distinguish classified from unclassified information
and might inadvertently reveal classified information.
Contacts with this Committee, and with other committee
chairmen sharing this view, must be carefully handled.
5. Accordingly, I suggest the following be considered:
a. A list be prepared of Agency publications,
both classified and unclassified, concerning all
subjects which are considered to be of Congressional
interest. This overall listing would then be reviewed
to determine which best meets Congressional needs with
preference given to unclassified publications.
b. A program be initiated whereby analysts
will be aware of this continuing Congressional
interest and will prepare, wherever appropriate,
unclassified publications for Congressional require-
ments which eventually hopefully would become
recurring on a continual basis.
d. No approaches to other committees be made
unless we first get the approval of our oversight
committee chairmen, seek their guidance, and get a
clear understanding of the role they want to play
with established guidelines if necessary.
6. If we proceed as presently indicated to limit
the program to periodic briefings when there appear to
be matters of interest, I feel the program will woefully
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miss the mark unless we first get a clear picture of the
extent to which the Agency can provide intelligence that
it now disseminates in present publications and determines
how the present publication programs can be expanded to
meet Congressional requirements. Perhaps I am looking
too far ahead in what I propose; but if it has any merit,
I urge it be initiated as soon as possible.
Distribution:
Orig - OLC/Mr.
1 - OLC
1 - OLC
Cary
1 - OLC u ~.
Assistant LI-Jislative Counsel
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