STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON EXECUTIVE ORDERS 12333 AND 12334

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 1, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 8, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/01 : CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9
NATIONAL FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE BOARD
NFIC/NFIB?l.2/7
8 December 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR NATIONAL FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL
FROM : Walter Elder
Executive Secretary
SUBJECT : Statement by the President on Executive Orders
12333 and 12334
1. The Deputy Director of Central Intelligence requests that the
attached statement by the President be given the widest practicable
circulation within the Intelligence Community.
2. The DDCI notes that this statement contains support, direction,
and guidance of value to all intelligence professionals.
STAT
Attachment
As Stated
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/01 : CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/01 : CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9
THR WHIM 00933
Office of the press aeorotary
Attachment to
NFIC/NFII.1.2/7
$ December 1981
December d, 1991
Todayr Iti as issuing two tsacutive Orders, ens to goverpj
the activities of our lntelli`enoe agencies and one to
reestablish the Intelli``ence Oversigtht Board, which works
to Insure that our Intelligence activitlee are lawful. These
Orders are designed to provide America's intelligence community
with clearer, more positive guidance and to remove the aura
of suspicion and mistrust that can hobble our Nation's
Intelligence efforts.
This action Is consistent with my promise in the campaign
to revitalize America's Intelligence system. The American
people are well aware that the security of their country and In an a`e of terrorism, their personal safety as well Is tied to the strength and efficiency of our intelligence-
gathering organizations.
These Orders have been carefully drafted -- In consultation
with the intelligence oo^m1:tees of both houses of the Congress to maintain the legal protection of all American citizens.
They also give our Intelligence professionals clear guidelines
within which to do their difficult and essential job. Contrary
to a distorted image that emerged during the last decade,
there is no inherent conflict between the intalligence community
and the rights of our citizens. Indeed, the purpose of the
intelligence community Is the protection of our people.
This is not to say mistakes were never made and that
vigilance against abuse is unnecessary. But an approach that
emphasizes suspicion and mistrust of our own intelligence
efforts can undermine this Nation's ability to confront the
increasing challenge of espionage and terrorism. This is
particularly true in a world In which our adversaries pay
no head to the concerns for individual rights and freedoms
that are so important to Americans and their government.
As we move into the 1980'8, we need to free ourselves from
the negative attitudes of the past and look to meeting the
needs of the country.
To those who view this change of direction with suspicion,
let me assure you that while I occupy this office, no Intel-
ligenoe agency of the United States, or any other agency for
that matter, will be giver the authority to violate the rights
and liberties guaranteed to all Americans by our Constitution
and laws. The provisions of these gxeoutive Orders make this
abundantly clear.
Most Americans realize that Intelligence is a good and
necessary profession to which high caliber ^en and women
dedicate their lives. We respect them for their honorable
and often perilous service to our Nation and the cause of
freedom. for all our technological advances, the gathering
of Information and Its analysis depend finally on human
judgment; and good judgment depends on the experience,
integrity, and professionalism of those who serve us in the
intelligence community.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/01 : CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/01 : CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9 ^
? Attachment to
NFIC/NFI6-1.2/1
2 8 D e c o " r 1981
41
Let us never forget that good Intelligence saves
Aftrioan lives and protects our freedom. The loyalty and
selflessness of our intelligence community during hard times
are testis" to its commitment to the principles on which
our country is based. I have faith in our 1nielligeaoe
professionals and expect each and every one of them to live
up to the Ideals and standards set by tbese?lsegutive.Orders.
These Orders charge our intelligence agencies to be vigorous, innovative and responsible In the collection Of.
'accurate and timely Information -- Information essential qQr
the conduct of our foreign policy and crucial to our national
safety. The country needs this service and is willing to
allocate the resources necessary to do the job right.
It is not enough, of course, simply to collect information.
Thoughtful analysis is vital to sound decision-making. The
`cal of our intelligence analysts can be nothing short of
be truth, even when that truth is unpleasant or unpopular.
I have asked for honest, objective analysis, and I shall expect
nothing less. When there is disagreaent, as there often
is, on the difficult questions of our time, I expect those
honest differences of view to be fully expressed.
These Orders stipulate that special attention be given
to detecting and countering the espionage and other threats
that are directed by hostile intelligence services against
us at home and abroad. These hostile services respect none
of the liberties and rights of privacy that these orders
protect. Certainly the same can be said of international
terrorists, who present another important area of concern
and responsibility for our intelligence professionals.
I want to stress that the primary job of the CIA is to
conduct intelligence activities overseas and to deal with
certain foreign persons who come Into this country. The >'81
takes primary responsibility for security activities within
the United States, directed against hostile foreigners and
those Americans who seek to do damage to our national security.
These Orders do not alter this basic division of laborl
they reaffirm it. They also encourage the fullest possible
cooperation among the CIA, the >r$1 and other agencies of the
intelligence oommuniy as they seek to deal with fundamental
challenges to our national security -- challenges that respect
neither national boundaries nor oitisenahip.
As these txeoutive Orders are issued, I again want to
express m respect and admiration for the men end women of
our intelligence ooaunitys They run the risksp they bear
the tensional they serve in silence. They cannot fully be
thanked in public, but I went then to know that their job
is vital and that the American people, and their President,
are profoundly grateful for what they do.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/01 : CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/01 : CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9
CENTRAL INITlLUG!NC! ACINCY
Orric! Or Ta! Drrurr DinlcroR
?
7 December 1981
"
YI
I'll
NOTE FOR: Executive Secretai 7
The DDCI requested that the attached
statement by the President on the two new
Executive Orders be given the widest reasonable
circulation across the Intelligence Community.
He specifically asked that:
1) Walt Elder circulate this state-
ment as ai NFIB document with a note
explaining the DDCI's request for
wide circulation; and
2) Within CIA this statement be
published in a way to achieve the
broadest distribution including to
our overseas elements.
The DDCI noted that in this statement there is
support, direction, and guidance of value to all
intelligence professionals.
If there is anything I can do to assist you,
please let me know.
STAT
Attachment
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/01 : CIA-RDP82M00786R000100900001-9