LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT FROM J.KENNETH ROBINSON, JOHN M. ASHBROOK, ROBERT MCCLORY, G. WILLIAM WHITEHURST AND C.W. BILL YOUNG

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP11M01338R000400470038-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2013
• Sequence Number: 38
• Publication Date: October 30, 1981
• Content Type: LETTER

gvouL.Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/09/13: CIA-RDP11M01338R000400470038-8
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NORMAN Y. mINETA. GAUP'.
wycHE FoWLER. JR, CA.
LEE H. HAMILTON. 'NO.
ALBERT GORE. JR., TERN.
BOB STUMP. ARIZ.
J. KENNETH ROBINSON. VA.
JOHN H. ASHBROOK. OHIO
ROBERT mcCLORY. ILL_ ?
G. WILLIAM wHITEHURST. VA.
C. W. BILL YOUNG. FLA.
THOMAS K. LATIMER. STAFF DIRECTOR
MICHAEL .1. O'NEIL. CHIEF COUNSEL
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE
ON INTELLIGENCE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President,
October 30, 1981
We have carefully reviewed the proposed Ekecutive Order on Intelligence
and while some members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
would prefer a greater relaxation of restrictions, others do not.
Nevertheless, we believe the current proposal represents a reasonable
compromise, and as such express our support for it.
We are pleased to see that the traditional division of: responsibility has
been retained. That is, the FBI has the main responsibility for intelligence
activities within the United States, while CIA has the responsibility for
intelligence activities outside the United States. We are confident that in
the execution of this Executive Order, the intelligence agencies and the
Ekecutive Department under President Reagan will have in mind the basic
constitutional rights of United States persons. Inherent in this is a
fundamental-responsibility regarding our national security interest and, of
course, a recognized acknowledgment of "accountability" for the faithful,
lawful and constitutional exercise of executive authority.
We are concerned with the misleading stories in the press regarding CIA
"domestic spying." These stories were based on a leaked copy of the draft
EXecutive Order. We have been convinced by both the Ekecutive Order itself
and the discussions that we have had with executive branch officials that the
newspaper stories were deliberately misleading. In protecting our national
security? interest consistent with the Ekecutive Order it may be that certain
modifications of existing statutes will be required, particularly, the limits
imposed by the Fbreign Intel1igenc6.SUrveillance Act. If you perceive such a
need, we would appreciate your communicating with us in order that appropriate-
legislative measures ray be introduced.
?
Sincerely,
JJ M. Ashbrook
ejber of Congress
6t4.4/4.
Robert t?C..lory G. 'lliam Whitehurst
Member of Congress 'r of Congress
C. 111 Or
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/09/13: CIA-RDP11M01338R000400470038-8