'DISCLOSING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IS PLAIN WRONG'

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00552R000505400018-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: September 1, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/09: CIA-RDP90-00552R000505400018-0
ARTICLE
ON PAGZ
WASHINGTON POST
1 September 1983
STAT
`Disclosing Classified Inlonnation
uesco, to federal employes about disclo-
Sure of rllas.l fied information:
Recent unauthorized disclosures of clas-
sified information concerning our diplomat-
ic. military and intelligence activities
threaten our ability to carry out national
security policy., I , have issued a directive
detailing procedures to curb these disclo-
sures and to streamline procedures for in-
vestigating them.
However, unauthorized disclosures are so
harmful to our national security that I-ait3h
to underscore to each of you the seriousness
with which I view them.
The unauthorized disclosure of bur na-
tion's
classified information by those 'en-
trusted with its protection is improper, un-
ethical and plain wrong. This kind of un. ,authorized disclosure is more.-than- a son* called "leak'-it is illegal.
The attorney general has been asked to
investigate a number of recent (such) dis-
closures of classified 'information. Let ?me
make it clear that we intend to take appro-
priate- - administrative action against any
federal employe found to have engaged in
unauthorized disclosure of classified infor-
mation, regardless of rank or position. -
Where circumstances warrant, cases will
also he referred for criminal prosecution.
T.nc American people have placed a spe-
cial trust and confidence in each of its to
protect their property with which we are
entrusted, including classified information.
They expect us to protect fully the national
security secrets used to protect them in a
dangerous and difficult world.
All of its have taken an oath faithfully to
discharge our duties as public servants, an
oath that is violated when unauthorized
disclosures of classified information are
made.
S `ecrecy' in national security matters is a
necessity in this world. Each of its, as we
carry tilt our individual duties. recognizes
that certain matters require confidentiality.
We must he able to carry out diplomacy
with friends and foes on a confidential ba-
sis; peace often quite literally. depends on.'
The test of President Reagan's letter
5
Plain . ff7rong'
it-athis includes our efforts to reduce
the threat. of nuclear war.
We must also be able to protect our mil.-.
itary forces from present or potential .ad-
versaries. From the time of the.Foupding..
Fathers, we have accepted the need to pro-
tect military
secrets
. Nuclear dangers, terrorism and. aggres-
sion similarly demand that we must be able
to gather intelligence information :about
these dangers-and our sources of this in-
'formation must be protected , if we. ,aee t9. '
continue to` receive it. Even in peacetime,_
lives depend on our ability to keep certain
matters secret.
As public servants, we have no ;legitimate
excuse for resorting to these unauthorized
disclosures. There are other means avail-
able to express ourselves:
? We make every effort to-keep the Con-
gress and the people informed about ria-
tional security policies and actions. Only a
fraction of information concerning national
.
security policy must be-classified.'
? We have mechanisms for presenting
alternative views and opinions withik. our
government.
? Established procedures exist for declas-
sifying material and for downgrading infor-
mation that may be' overclassified.
? Workable procedures also exist for re-
porting wrongdoing or illegalities, both to
the appropriate executive branch offices
and to the Congress.
Finally, each of us has the right to leave
our position of trust and criticize our gov-
ernment and its policies; if that is what our
conscience dictates. What we do not have is
the right to damage our country by giving
away its necessary secrets.
We are ss a nation an open and trusting
people, with a proud tradition of free
speech, robust debate and the right to dis-
agree strongly over all national policies. No
one would discipline people who under-
stand the need for responsible action.
As servants of the people, we in the fed-
eral government must understand the :duty
we have .to those -who place their trust . in
us. I ask. each of `'*u to joinme.itigedoti=
bling our -efforts to-protect thatjrusk '
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/09: CIA-RDP90-00552R000505400018-0