SECRETS DOOR IS CLOSING, HILL OVERSEER COMPLAINS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00552R000606720005-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: March 17, 1982
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/20: CIA-RDP90-00552R000606720005-7
A TI0LLE
OBI PACE.
THE WASHINGTON POST
17 March 1982
ecrels' 01,
verse
COW-01ains
By George LardnerJr
Washington Po tStatt Writer'
Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr: (D-Del.)
But now, he said, the committee serious threat to civil liberties-=that
chairman and vice chairmanare-fre- has already been manifested in; sev-
quently the only-ones -informed of eral legislative;-proposals and' exec=
certain matters..-In addition,-Biden utive orders
.a'
said, CIA officials. "have -a different : -. Yesterday's' debate 'one" the 'iden-
view of what 'contemporaneous'- no- ' tity-of-agents bill featured-'' a re
tification means" and seem more in- sounding call for its enactment, in
clined to delay their legally required cluding -the Chafee amendment, by
reports of significant intelligence ac- Seri., John G. Tower (R Tex) who
tivities. described it" as a` vital' tool ' in"com-
"In 1979, when the agency would bating the Soviet KGB: intelligence
come up, I could say.tomhoeverwas
testifying; 'Tell us what's happening agency and its "clandestine infra-
?? in El Salvador,' and-they would give structure" throughout: the .would.,;
.us a detailed layout,, including. the
--blemishes," Biden said. "Now-all I'll
get is what. they want.to tell' us."r. ;;s
Too often, Biden said,. he has to
press for ? details, and ask precisely.
the right'question to get: a. meaning-
ful answer. f -. ,-,;
For instane,-he said,: "I?.have to.-
,ask the. precise question, , `Do- -we
have -proof of a direct connection',
between the 5andinistas^ [in Nicara-
gua) and, the?rebels'inn El Salvador?"_
Too ? frequently, $iden said; the .
,response comes..back .::"why '-won't
you trust us?"' ::?.?.,.::. ;..:~. ,
The reduced flow' of information
is' not entirely. the' administration's
,fault,?Biden-said.-"I' place a;loVof
blame on, they Intelligenc'e'
'tee," he said:- "'
Biden, made-the4 remarks, durinii a
CIA officials several years ago. - , mentality. Hesaid he fears it poses a
Biden, ' a senior member. 'of:'the
Senate Intelligence.Committee, told
reporters that "everything is just
closing down" in terms of that.pan-
el's access to sensitive details
"They used to tell, us -everything
we wanted to know, .Biden said of
-the kind of- briefings. that the- com
mittee- became accustomed to-from
view such matters to relax !the .standard=of proof and
o
administration has become increas- pera ves, even-if the m-
from the public
ingly reluctant to share secret intel- formation comes
recordwr a;,; - ?=
Iigence. information with Congress, The proposal rematns+ stalled -as
even in closed-door sessions- =with Seri. John IT-Chafee: (R-R.I.) drives
oversight committees set u t -
break. in, tortuous Senate. debate on
intricacies:. of, a, bill to criminalize
disclosure of the
m
'of US
na
es
: charged .yesterday that the Reagan telliaence *
authorize convictions when` there is
"reason' -to believe" that' theI
'disclo-
sure, Would. impair or "impede- U.S.
intelligence operations:
Biden, pressing for, a', more, rigor-
ous criminal-intent standard; blamed
mushrooming.., administration., and
congressional., demands for greater
secrecy on a; "Russiansare coming"
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/20: CIA-RDP90-00552R000606720005-7