REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89T00142R000700780011-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 30, 2011
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: November 24, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/30: CIA-RDP89T00142R000700780011-6
24 November 1987
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FROM: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJET: Review and Approval Procedures for Special
Activities
1. Special activities constitute a small percentage of the
total work of this Agency, but they receive considerable
attention. Perhaps this is due to the secrecy of these
operations and our inability to explain to the public what it
is that we do in furtherance of foreign policy objectives
overseas. Secrecy is suspect in an open society, but it is
often essential to the successful conduct of our operations
abroad. Unlike law enforcement activities, however, which also
are conducted in secret, covert operations are not scrutinized
by the courts. They are reviewed by appropriate committees of
Congress and they are sometimes discussed in the press but, for
the most part, information concerning these activities remains
closely held within the Government. This places a very special
obligation on those of us within the Agency who have the
responsibility for planning and conducting covert operations.
We must ensure that these activities are lawful, appropriate to
foreign policy objectives and, if revealed, that they would
make sense to the American public.
2. To further these goals, I intend to establish
procedures within the Agency to govern the review and approval
of all Presidential Findings and Memoranda of Notification.
Our purpose here is not to create new constraints on our
activities that might unduly interfere with our ability to
carry out special activities. Limitations on our conduct are
adequately covered in the laws, in Executive Order 12333, and
in internal regulations of the Agency. Rather, these
procedures are intended to establish a framework for discussion
within the Agency to ensure that relevant considerations are
taken into account and informed judgments made about the
benefits, costs, risks and, ultimately, the propriety of our
activities. Although our conduct in the international arena is
not governed by the same standards that apply on the domestic
scene, there are norms and values that must be respected. The
standards are difficult to define, but I am confident that
through careful, systematic and candid discussion by senior
management officials of this Agency we can reach the proper
decision in these matters.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/30: CIA-RDP89T00142R000700780011-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/30: CIA-RDP89T00142R000700780011-6
SUBJECT: Review and Approval Procedures for Special Activities
3. Our goal in these programs, however, is not just to do
them right, but to do them well. We must be constantly alert
for ways to improve our effectiveness, and to ensure that the
programs accomplish their intended objectives in a timely and
efficient manner. The management and supervision of our
special activities must remain with the Directorate of
Operations. But I believe that the review process can be
structured in a way, consistent with security needs, that
enables us to draw on the full range of professional advice and
expertise that is available within the Agency.
4. The Covert Action Review Group currently plays an
integral role in our review process. The members of this
group--or some other suitable committee we may wish to
establish--should sit not just in their individual capacities
as managers of their respective divisions, but as my senior
policy advisors on matters relating to special activities. I
expect them to examine these proposals carefully, to explore
the full range of issues involved, and to identify any matters
that require my personal attention. A memorandum will be
submitted with each Finding and MON forwarded to me for my
consideration, reflecting the committee's views on the
proposal. This memorandum should include a recommendation for
approval or disapproval, recommended changes or amendments to
the proposal, and any reservations or dissenting views by
individual members. It should also highlight any key issues
that warrant special consideration by me or the President,
concerning either approval or implementation of the program.
5. I have instructed to prepare draft
regulations as outlined above and submit them to me within 30
days. The drafting process will be coordinated with the Deputy
Directors and other officials of the Agency as appropriate, and
there will be ample opportunity for everyone to express their
views before the final product is adopted.
3zs 6kLs:~
William H. Webster
Orig - Adse
. 1 - Counsel to the DCI
1 - Special Counsel to the DCI
1 - DCI Chrono
1 - ER
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/30: CIA-RDP89T00142R000700780011-6