OVERSEAS APPLICATION OF EXISTING (Sanitized) LAWS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04718A000800290003-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 17, 2000
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: December 18, 1953
• Content Type: MEMO

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Approved For
Office Memorandm ~ UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO Executive Officer, DD/A
FROM Office of General Counsel
Da
SUBJECT: Overseas Application of Existing Espionage Laws
25X1A
1. In the early part of December we were asked to comment upon
proposed
The concluding paragraph of this regulation prescribes that the Senior
Representative or Chief of Mission shall be responsible for insuring that
all personnel whose employment is processed overseas read and understand
this regulation prior to entrance on duty and execute a secrecy agreement
incorporating by reference the provision of the regulation.
2. As you know, the jurisdictional section of our present espionage
legislation is section 791 of Title 18. This section provides that the entire
chapter on espionage and censorship "shall apply within the admiralty and
maritime jurisdiction of the United States and on the high seas, as well as
within the United States." The inference of this section to me is that the
entire chapter containing our espionage laws does not apply in cases of
espionage outside the United States and its admiralty jurisdiction, and
would for this reason have no effect upon espionage or carelessness in the
loss of defense information which occurred overseas and which involved
one of our overseas employees. Since there did not appear to be anything
legally wrong in the statement contained in the regulation, I made no com-
ment upon the particular section. It does seem to me, however, that this
is a point on which more adequate legislation could profitably be secured
and I am referring it to you for whatever action you deem appropriate.
25X1A9a
OGC/TMF:imm
Auth.:
text Review Da
Class. Chanel to:
DATE: 18 December 1953
"Declass
~7q
Approved For Release 0 /05" IA-RDP78-04718A000800290003-1