RIGHT STEP ON SECRETS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00561R000100020136-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 17, 2012
• Sequence Number: 136
• Publication Date: February 17, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/17: CIA-RDP91-00561 R000100020136-9
tstepOn
secrets
P RESIDENT R~eagan
fe 's decision not to put into ef-
ct at this tame a controversial plan to stem.the
leaking of government secrets is a good move ---as
far as it goes. It should go further. The administration
should be certain that this particular edict is never put
into effect. Its effect would be worse than the problem it
is intended to solve.: - - 7 :.
The proposal was drawn up to stop government offi-
cials from revealing secrets that genuinely- imperil na?
tional security, a problem of long standing. But the pro-
posal went too far. It would have amounted to lifetime
prepublication censorship of almost anything written by
some 112,000 government. officials. And it would have
substantially increased- the : use of lie-detector tests on
governmentofficials. -..;
ARTICLE APPEARED
ON FACE 17
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
17 February 1984
When this plan was announced 11 months ago critics
charged it violated the rights of individuals. In addition,'
through-its prepublicationsection it would have had the
effect of depriving the American public of the perspec-
tives of veteran officials even after they have left govern.
meat service on important issues at-a time when such ez-
perience is particularly valuable.
The Reagan administration" indicates it will work with
Congress to develop another way to prevent the leaking
of government secrets that compromise national security.
-but this time'without violating the rights of individ
nab-
The ,issue-is unportant:: American security must be
protected. But so must the legitimate rights of individ-
uals.a..
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/17: CIA-RDP91-00561 R000100020136-9