PROPOSED EXECUTIVE ORDER TO GOVERN ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
18
Document Creation Date: 
December 27, 2016
Document Release Date: 
February 4, 2013
Sequence Number: 
11
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
May 6, 1988
Content Type: 
MEMO
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PDF icon CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5.pdf695.75 KB
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I . Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy ApigrgivzI foriilliVeas jeiN210t12/02/St:. ili\i?ki-IDP91B00390R000100110011-5 STAT STAT STAT STAT ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET SUBJECT: (optional) Proposed Executive Order to Govern Access to Classified Information FROM: EXTENSION kot---- --OS 88-204-7 Acting Director of Security DATE L------ 6 MAY ?... - TO: (Officer designation, room number, and building) DATE OFFICER'S COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.) RECEIVED FORWARDED INITIALS 1 . General Counsel I? 013' 1 Oteeral Counsel egc46/79 2. I L ',X 3. DDA 7D18 HQ 4k 0 4. 5. 'ER 7E12 HQ 12 MA( 1989 6. ) j ViZEXD IR 12 ki 7E12 HQ MAY 1988 I 8. DDC I , p 7E12 HQ 1 ri OkeTh PZ io. 1 1. D/SeCurity 12. atfir1988 ink) hg-- (114,1 /V? 0 13. .?ArArr 14. / 2 ' 1)0 A)k`6L" ? 15. FORM 610 USE PREVIOUS 1-79 EDITIONS ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 STAT ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY General Counsel ILe.(222_, 6 MAY MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence VIA: FROM: SUBJECT: REFERENCE: Executive Director Deputy Director for Administration General Counsel RuLing ulLeLuoL of Security Proposed Executive Order to Govern Access to Classified Information Memo for DDCI fm D/OS dtd 24 March 1988, Subj: Proposed Executive Order to Govern Access to Classified Information 1. Action Requested: Attached for your signature is a letter to Lieutenant General Colin L. Powell, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, forwarding appropriate language exempting the Agency from the "oversight" and administrative appeal procedures of the proposed Executive Order on personnel security. Also included is language which would substitute "sufficient doubt" as the Government-wide security standard in place of "reasonable doubt." If the objections we have to the proposed Executive Order cannot be resolved to our satisfaction through the NSC process, we recommend that our concerns be brought to the attention of the President. 2. Background: In deference to our concerns, the Department of Defense has officially concurred with the Agency's proposed amendments to Sections 7 and 9 of the proposed Executive Order which would protect the authorities of the Director of Central Intelligence. In deference to DOD's concerns, the Agency has agreed to support personnel security oversight of DOD by the Information Security Oversight Office. Additionally, DOD concurs with our objection to the use of "reasonable doubt" as the standard for the denial and revocation of security clearances and approvals, although it has suggested language of its own as the preferred alternative to be considered in the NSC process. While we are not entirely comfortable with DOD's proposed alternate language, nevertheless, we are willing to discuss, under NSC auspices, 1:3_7(78-7ii=i477-1 ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 STAT STAT STAT STAT ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY whether a standard other than the "sufficient doubt" standard we have proposed would be the best substitute for the "reasonable doubt" standard. Attachment A reflects DOD concurrence with our amendments to Sections 7 and 9 and indicates DOD objection to the term "reasonable doubt." The Office of Personnel Management has been briefed on our concerns but has remained noncommittal. In order to appropriately address in a national security forum all concerns raised by the proposed Executive Order, it is important that all significant issues relating to the proposed Order be resolved by the NSC process before the draft Order is circulated by the Office of Management griaBudget for Government-wide review and comment. Both DOD and OPM share this view. 3. Recommendation: That you sign the attached letter to General Powell, which requests that a staff-level meeting of the affected agencies be convened under NSC auspices to resolve all outstanding issues, and which requests that a final decision be made by the President, if necessary. Attachments cc: Director, Intelligence Community Staff CONCUR: uenerdl Lorsel Deputy-Dite-ftbr ffbt Administration Exerve Direcyn 2 //'y Date 7 Da e 7.4( puo Date ADMINISTRATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 The Deputy Director of Central Intelligence VVashington. D. C. 20505 STAT 20 May 1988 Lieutenant General Colin L. Powell Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Washing n -D.C. 20506 Dear G owell: Pursuant to my letter of 4 April 1988, I am forwarding to you language which would amend the draft Executive Order on personnel security to accommodate the serious concerns I expressed in that letter. The Department of Defense has officially concurred with our proposed amendments to Parts 7 and 9 of the draft Order, which would protect the authorities of the Director of Central Intelligence. Although DOD also concurs with our objection to the use of "reasonable doubt" as the standard for the denial and revocation of security clearances and approvals in Part 6 of the draft Order, DOD has suggested that language other than that which we have proposed might better insulate security decision making from judicial review. Therefore, DOD has indicated that it would like for the "reasonable doubt" issue to be addressed further in the NSC process-. I believe that these matters, and all other serious points of disagreement concerning the draft Order, should be resolved through the NSC process before the draft Order is circulated by the Office of Management and Budget for Government-wide comment. Both DOD and the Office of Personnel Management share my views in this regard. Accordingly, I request that a staff-level meeting of the affected agencies be convened under NSC auspices to resolve all outstanding issues related to the draft Order. Should these issues not be resolved, I request that they be presented to the President for a final decision. Attachment Sincerely, Robert M. Gates Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 STAT Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 R Next 3 Page(s) In Document Denied Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OFFICEOFGENERALCOUNSEL WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-1600 April 21, 1988 MEMORANDUM FOR ASSISTANT DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (COUNTERINTELLIGENCE & SECURITY) ATTN: Mr. Bill Fedor SUBJECT: CIA Proposed Changes to Personnel Security Executive Order This responds to your request for our input on the CIA's proposed revision to the above draft Executive Order, currently pending action at the National Security Council. This office has no objection to the proposed revisions to Parts 7 and 9 of the Executive Order. Although this office agrees, for the reasons stated by CIA, that the term "reasonable doubt" should not be utilized in Part 6, we do not concur with their proposed substitution of the term "sufficient doubt" therefor. Such term is vague and ambiguous and would invite a reviewing court to interpret it at will (a likely "interpretation" of the term "sufficient" is "reasonable"). Of greater concern, however, is that the phraseology employed under either formulation, in my opinion, creates the impression that the burden is on the agency to justify a clearance denial. This office proposes the following revision to Part 6 in the alternative. It accomplishes the same purpose sought by the CIA, and is based upon language recently used by the Supreme Court in Navy v. Egan (attached) to describe the "clearly consistent" standard. Section 2.1 Standards (b) Except ... national security information. A determination of eligibility for access to such information is a wholly discretionary security determination, and [eligibility] may be granted based on judgments by appropriately trained security personnel only where the facts and circumstances indicate such access is clearly consistent with the national security interests of the United States. In all such determinations, the protection of the national security of the United States shall be the paramount determinant, and security personnel should err, if they must, on the side of denials. ? ? ? Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 ? Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Section 6.2 Adjudication of Initial Investigations (c) At such time ... national security information. Where?t4tere-4-s?reelKmisb4c doubt ncrM.e individual under these standard3 When security personnel cannot conclude, based on the available information in its entirety, that granting the individual access to national security information meets the standards described in this Order, such access eligibility will be denied. Note: The above change also should be made to Section 6.4. Questions concerning this memorandum may be addressed to the undersigned or to Dale A. Stalf at x53392/56710. Michael A. Sterlacci Assistant General Counsel (Legal Counsel) Attachments Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 ' Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 86-1562?OPINION 12 DEPARTMENT OF NAVY v. EGAN ance was denied, and whether transfer to a nonsensitive position was feasible. Nothing in the Act, however, directs ? or empowers the Board to go further. Cf. Zimmerman v. Department of the Army, 755 F. 2d 156 (CA Fed. 1985); Buriani v. Department of the Air Force, 777 F. 2d 674, 617 (CA Fed. 1985); Bacon v. Dept. of Housing & Urban Devel- opment, 757 F. 2d 265, 269-270 (CA Fed. 1985); Madsen v. Veterans Admin., 754 F. 2d 343 (CA Fed. 1985).? As noted above, security clearance normally will be granted only if it is "clearly consistent with the interests of the national security." The Board, however, reviews ad- verse actions under a preponderance of the evidence stand- ard. I 7701(c)(1)(3). These two standards seem inconsist- ent. It is difficult to see how the Board would be able to review security-clearance determinations under a preponder- ance of the evidence standard without departing from the "clearly consistent with the interests of the national security" test. The cleals.;:conaistent standard AndleargtAiwo seetwity4earelystdeterminationa should.egrAttheithalmito 4011the side of &stalk; Placing the burden on the Govern- ment to support the denial by a preponderance of the evi- dence would inevitably shift this emphasis and involve the Trier to the Act's passage in 1978, most federal employees dismissed for cause could pursue an appeal to the Civil Service Commission. The parties here appear to agree that the old Commission never exercised ju- risdiction over a security-clearance determination. We 618 to see any indi- cation that Congress intended to grant the Board greater jurisdiction in this respect than that possessed by the Civil Service Commission. The Board was created to assume the adjudicatory functions of the old Commis- sion and, with certain exceptions, those functions passed unchanged from the Commission to the Board. When the Senate and House committees listed the changes effected by the Act, they gave no indication that an agency's security-clearance determination was now to be subject to review. See S. Rep. No. 96-969, pp. 46 and 52 (1978); R. IL Rep. No. 96-1403. pp. 21-22 (1978). Such changes as were made did not bear upon the issue. If there be any contrary implication in the legislative history, a respond- ent would suggest, it is much too frail for us to conclude that Congress in- tended a major change of that kind. Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 STAT Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 R Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 STAT PO L IC Y MEMORANDUM FOR OFFICE OF THE UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301-2000 2 2 APR 1988 OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Subject: CIA Proposed Changes to the Personnel Security Executive Order I have reviewed, together with the DoD Office of General Counsel, the paper which yo.0 provided to Bill Fedor in which you propose three changes to the draft Executive Order. We have no objection to the proposed revisions to Parts 7 and 9 of the Executive Order. With respect to Part 6 we concur that the term "reasonable doubt" should be removed. However, I agree with the rationale set forth in the attached 21 April 1988 memorandum, signed by Mr. Sterlacci, with respect to the inadvisability of substituting "sufficient doubt" for reasonable doubt. More- over, I agree with the proposed revisions to Section 2.1, Standards, and Section 6.2, Adjudication of Initial Investiga- tions, recommended by Mr. Sterlacci in his 21 April 1988 memorandum. Please advise if you wish to discuss further. Attachment As Stated , ohn F. Donnelly Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Counterintelligence and Security) Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 ? - Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY STAT 24 MAR WI MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence VIA: FROM: SUBJECT: REFERENCE: Executive Director Deputy Director for Administration General Counsel Director ot Security Proposed Executive Order to Govern Access to Classified Information Memo for ADCI fm D/OS dtd 27 Feb 87, Subj: Draft Executive Order to Govern Access to Classified Information 1. Action Requested: Certain provisions of the Executive Order proposed by the Department of Justice to govern access to classified information remain inconsistent with important CIA and Intelligence Community prerogatives and, if approved, would seriously erode DCI statutory authority. You are requested to address this concern with Lieutenant General Colin L. Powell, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and to notify him that we are drafting specific language to amend the Order. Attached for your signature is a letter to General Powell summarizing our objections to the proposed Order and requesting that the NSC convene a staff-level meeting of the affected agencies upon receipt of our proposed language. Meanwhile, an effort will be made to obtain the concurrence of two of the major participants in the drafting process--the Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management--in specific language that would amend the Executive Order and safeguard our equities. A second letter to General Powell containing the appropriate exempting language will then be sent forward for your signature. 2. Background: The Deputy Attorney General has forwarded to the President, through the NSC, the current draft of a proposed Executive Order on personnel security. In a covering memorandum to the President, the Deputy Attorney General cites OS 8-5522 ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 five issues which require resolution and recommends to the President that these issues be resolved quickly to permit adoption of the Order. Issues 1 and 4 concern proposed oversight and appeals procedures. Each is severely misrepresented and falls short of reflecting Agency concerns. Issues 2, 3, and 5 address investigative standards, reinvestigations, and the need for a current review of Executive Order 10450. These issues are succinctly stated, and the related recommendations are reasonable. 3. Tab A is a copy of my memorandum to you dated 26 February 1987 identifying the issues of concern at that time. Tab B is a copy of your letter to the Attorney General dated 18 March 1987 wherein you emphasize the impact this Order would have on DCI statutory authorities. Tab C is the Attorney General's reply of 25 March 1987. Tab D consists of a copy of the Deputy Attorney General's 20 November 1987 letter to the President and the current draft Executive Order. 4. Regretfully, the follow-up meetings you suggested between representatives of the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Office of General Counsel, and members of my own staff, produced little in the way of substantive agreement. In particular, the concerns we had with respect to oversight by the Information Security Oversight Office (IS00) and the procedures involved in processing security clearances continue essentially unresolved. I remain convinced that the intrusive aspects of these provisions warrant our continued vigorous opposition. 5. To reiterate, Issues 1 and 4 cause grave concern. Specifically, Issue 1 addresses oversight of government-wide personnel security programs and would delegate extensive oversight authority for personnel security matters to 'SOO. As stated in your 19 March 1987 letter to the Attorney General, "The sweeping oversight provisions..., which effectively permit ISOO to direct aspects of our security programs and second-guess security policy and other determinations made by the DCI, conflict with the statutory responsibility of the DCI to protect intelligence sources and methods." Oversight autonomy for either the Central Intelligence Agency or other appropriate intelligence agencies has not been expressly provided for in the current draft. Also, a series of Agency proposals to moderate 'SOO oversight in a manner consistent with Agency interests proved futile. In short, we are back where we started relative to oversight. 2 ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 STAT 6. Issue 4 would establish security clearance appeal procedures for all on-board Agency personnel and extend the right of appeal to contractor employees with access at the collateral classified level. Not only would this provision override existing DCI authority, it would clearly establish procedures.that do not now exist and are not required by law. With respect to the contractor world specifically, I would add, Parenthetically, that appeal procedures do exist, to be sure, but are confined to the SCI environment only under the circumstances as mandated by DCID 1/14. 7. I am informed that representatives of the Office of General Counsel have alerted NSC legal officials to our concerns and that the Order is now on hold pending formal word from the Agency. In view of earlier unproductive efforts through DoJ to incorporate alternative language into the Order, a different approach is needed. Specific language exempting the Agency and other intelligence agencies, as appropriate, from oversight and appeal procedures is, in my view, a prudent next step in our efforts to gain relief from this unwarranted intrusion on the discretionary authority of the DCI. 8. I believe it is essential that the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs clearly understands the equities at stake and the need to resolve the substantial disagreements which remain. Therefore, you are requested to sign the attached letter to General Powell advising him that specific language to amend the draft Order will be forthcoming and requesting that the NSC Staff convene a meeting of the affected agencies upon receipt of our proposed language. A second letter to General Powell, transmitting the appropriate exempting language, will soon be forwarded for your signature. If you wish to be briefed further on this matter, please contact me at your convenience. Attachments cc: Director, Intelligence Community Staff 3 ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 AnkATMTCMDTMTWL, rikimr.,nrcrAr r7,17, Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 SUBJECT: Proposed Executive Order to Govern Access to Classified Information CONCUR: STAT General Corel STAT 2C- 14/ et4 Date ,J70 fie5r7 veputy virecror ror 9ministration Date . STAT STAT STAT ve Dire7r r?,i?e? ,rz* ?42:7- . Date ? With so many people biting at our ankles, it's a wonder we're able to STAT get anything done. I support proposed approach. This is ludicrous. JT 4 ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 The Deputy Director of Central Intelligence Washington D C 20505 Lieutenant General Colin L. Powell Assistant to the President for Natio 1 Security Affairs Washin n D.C. 20506 Dear owell: 14 APR 1988 I have reviewed the Department of Justice draft Executive Order on personnel security, which would establish government-wide policy concerning access to classified information. Further, I have reviewed the transmittal materials which would accompany the draft Executive Order. Based upon my review, I have concluded that certain provisions of the draft Order would erode the statutory responsibilities of the Director of Central Intelligence (DOI) and are, therefore, unacceptable. Moreover, I believe that the proposed transmittal materials do not adequately discuss certain issues that have generated substantial disagreement. Previously, on 18 March 1987, I informed the Attorney General of my concerns and suggested that our representatives meet to attempt resolution of our outstanding differences with respect to the draft Order. A meeting did take place between our representatives at that time, but the final draft Order forwarded to you does not accommodate my concerns. The draft Order which delegates extensive "oversight" authoritj for personnel security matters to the Information Security Oversight Office (IS00) to direct aspects of our security program, and to second-guess security policy and other determinations made by the DCI, would undercut the statutory responsibility of the DCI to protect intelligence sources and methods. The Order must expressly provide for oversight autonomy for the Central Intelligence Agency and, as appropriate, other intelligence agencies. The Order also imposes, as mandatory, a set of administrative appeal procedures for the revocation of security clearances and approvals which must be followed unless the DCI personally certifies otherwise in each case. There is nothing in current law that requires this, and I consider such a requirement an unwarranted intrusion on the statutory discretion of the DCI, which carries with it a serious potential for protracted litigation with respect to the appropriateness of the DCI's certification in each case. Moreover, the Order ties the denial and revocation of clearances and approvals to the legal standard of "reasonable doubt," another invitation for the entire program to be drawn into unnecessary and debilitating litigation. Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5 STAT Lieutenant General Colin L. Powell Considerable effort has gone into this endeavor, and the draft Order addresses important issues in an area in which revision and clarification are long overdue. It is imperative, therefore, that every effort be undertaken to reach a solution. In this vein, we will provide you, under separate cover, language to amend the draft Order. As I believe the National Security Council Staff may be in the best position to facilitate an agreement, I urge you to convene a staff-level meeting of the affected agencies upon receipt of this language. I am hopeful that a resolution can be reached under NSC auspices which accommodates our concerns. (14_: / tv; STAT Os/PP, Distribution: Orig - Adse 2 - DDA 1 - ER 1 - ER 1 - ExDir 1 - GC 1 - EVIC Staff 1 - DD/PS/OS eePPS Chrono - OS Registry (17 Mar 88) Robert M. Gates Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/02/05: CIA-RDP91B00390R000100110011-5