INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND SATELLITE MONITORING ACT OF 1988, H.R. 4036

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90M00005R001400170005-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: April 14, 1988
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/19: CIA-bP60M00005R001400170005-9
t)
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
Committee on Imagery Requirements and Exploitation
Washington, DC 20505
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Legislative vivision
Office of Congressional Affairs
SUBJECT: International Security and Satellite Monitoring
Act of 1988, H.R. 4036
ICS-4557/88
14 April 1988
1. The following comments on the subject bill are prepared from the
perspective of the COMIREX Staff.
2. The stated objectives of the bill are unquestionably admirable, but
the indicated study procedure and the ultimate concept of an international
remote sensing program would have a major adverse impact on U.S. intelligence '
sources and methods. This of course would represent a major concern of the
DCI. Furthermore, the bill would shift the development of major national
policy on key defense and foreign relations issues away from the Executive
Department officials who have the primary responsibilities for these specific
matters, namely the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense.
3. The power to examine and report on these extremely sensitive matters
is placed in the hands of an independent commission, with the principal
federal officials responsible for such matters relegated to only advisory
positions. The Commission's proposed voting membership structure would
specifically exclud_p.all federal officers and employees. The bill stipulates
that--notwithstanding any other provision of law--the voting members are to be
given full access to Executive Department information, including classified
information. To facilitate access to the latter, security investigations of
Commission members are to be expedited. The proposed study would include
especially sensitive information about current and future intelligence
collection 'systems.: Past experience is that the potential for leaks and
exposure of sensitive inteljigence data and information under such
circumstances is extremely high'.
/ET
N
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/19: CIA-RDP90M00005R001400170005-9
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/19: CIA-RDP90M00005R001400170005-9
4. While the text of this proposed Bill is couched in terms of an
initial study, it is clear that the ultimate objective is to address and move
toward the concept of a multinational or international remote sensing
program. The implementation of such a concept would directly impact
intelligence sources and methods, for which the DCI is statutorily
responsible. These direct impacts could, and probably would, include issues
concerning the transfer of sensitive technology on classified remote sensing
systems, control and processina operations, and the methodology used in
exploiting derived data.
5. To reduce the possibility of such major adverse effects, the preferred
Administration option would be to oppose the passage of this Bill on the
grounds that it is contrary to the national interest, e.g., it would weaken
national security and would undercut U.S. private sector development b
further stimulating foreign activities in satellite remote sensing.
6. Another Administration option would be to attempt to restructure the
study effort so that it is executed by or under the aegis of the responsible
officials of the Federal Governmert namly, the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of State, and the DCI.
7. The Plans and Policy Office of the Intelligence Community Staff is
aware of and endorses the above comments. However, has some
additional comments which he will transmit separately. e are aware of and
endorse the comments that the TCO/CIA, provided to you in his
7 April memorandum.
SECRET
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Chief, Executive Staff
& Executive Secretary
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/19: CIA-RDP90M00005R001400170005-9
25X1