r - • i4 · i pproved Release 2005 06 06 CIA-RDP79MOW A0011001 dPrl Ravtnr 2 -- 98sy t 20 September 1976 NOTB ·FOR SUBJBCT Mr Knoclle Response to Deputy Secretary of Defense Bllsworth on Relationship of NSA SIGINT Procedures to CIA ___ 1 The attached let er for your ·signature was prepared by the General Counsel's office an has received the concurrence of the IG DDO and I _ i I _ STAT 2 Since the letter from Mr Ellsworth · Tab A was addressed to The Director Central Intelligence Agency wi th a copy to the DCI you may wish to touch base with the DCI before sending the attached response After Mr Bllsworth's letter of 14 July Gener al Allen wrote the DCI on 17 August and suggested that the Inspectors General of NSA and CIA meet to discuss interpretation of the Executive Order and Attorney General procedures regarding SIGINT Tab B The DCI informed General Allen on 2S August that the IG's would have a meeting Tab C 3 John Waller's report of this meeting is attached ·as a separate item at Tab D In this report he asks that you approve his letter to the NSA Inspector General which takes the same position as the attached letter to Mr Ellsworth · STAT A DDCI Attachments · As Stated Tab A - TOP SECRET - COMINT ' 41 · ' 22 September 1976 The Honorable Robert Bllswort Deputy Secretary of Defense Washington D C 20301 Dear Mr · Ellsworth This is in response to your memorandum of 14 July 1976 to several addressees concerning the conduct of SIGINT activities In your memorandum you state that all departments and agencies authorized to conduct SIGINT activities are to be guided by procedures approved by the-Attorney General and published by the Director NSA in United siates Signals Intelligence Directive USSID 18 subsequently on 17 August 1976 the Director NSA in a memorandum to the Director of Central ·Intelligen½ proposed that in light of your · memorandum the Inspectors General of CIA and NSA be tasked to develop jointly a plan of action to ensure that the procedures in USSID-18 are followed carefully and that each of the concerned departments have mechanisms to assure full compliance The purpose of this letter is to clarify the relationship of the USSID-18 to CIA SIGINT activities This Agency of course shares your concern that all U S SIGINT activities be in compliance with Executive Order 11905 and with procedures promulgated pursuant to the Order by the Attorney General · At the same time however you should be aware that certain legal iimitations and authorities unique to CIA as well as operational differences between CIA and other agencies which conduct SIGINT activities dictate a · sl ghtly different approach to CIA's SIGINT operations The Attorney General's procedures incorporated within USSID-18 are specifically·directed to NSA Although CIA is currently operating under Attorney General pro• 25X1 j I 11 t i Approvtd For Release 005 06 06 C 79M00467A001100190009- ' '17e- 91 J' - __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ n fl L r ·J' l' 1 ' •• I • • • Approved r P T -t-1'1 u ir•·· • R81usa 2005 08 JX Ai' • · MOWIA001100190009-1 cedures which require as an interim measure that IA ·practices parallel those contained in USSID·l8 the Attorney General in ecognition of the differences noted· above is developing separate guidelines which will apply specifically· to CIA We understand his finalization of these guidelines will take place very shortly In any event the Attorney General procedures applicable to CI A will be consistent with the pro• cedures incoTporated in USSID-18 and if you wish we will gladly provide copies of the procedures when they become effective Moreover CIA has made every effort to establish appropriate •internal mechanisms and instructions to ensure that its obligations · under the executive order and relevant Attorney General procedures are ·being met Recently in this regard in response to the suggestion of the Director NSA mentioned above the Inspectors General of CIA and NSA met to compare their respective control mechanisms with highly reassuring results We would be more than happy to schedule additional meetings with · NSA to discuss this matter further • Sincerely Jjl 1 Jt pl B H Knoche Deputy_Director cc Director NSA Distribution DDCI DDO OGC 25X1 25X1 Approved For ·Release 2005 06 06 RDP79M00467A001100190009-1 · GCN llEtlilAL •' ·- - ' SEN• ltll w1rr k UNCLlSStFIED I CONFm'EN'l'LU 7A001100190009-1 I SECRET OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP • _ ANn A0Dft _ TO STAT l I L Assistant to the DAl'llutv Director Rm 7El2 Hqs DATE INITIALS I 's 6 DIHCT IEPLY DISPATCH flLE ACTION APPROVAL · CIJMMW CUNCUUENH INfDlllllTION · PllPAHllft Y IECOMMEMDATION 1£1111N IIIIIATVIE Remawa George - '• Suggest the last sentence of the next 1o the last paragraph be sllghUy revised •we understand his finalization •• · 11 Also suggest the letter to Ellsworth indicate that a forwl1ed ·also to General Allen r STAT - JG rt P'OLD H E TO IET l tN TO sotl a F'ltOMt NAIC ADDRae MID PffON NO Associate General Counsel UNCLASSIFIED I I CONPIDENTIAL I DATIC 16Sep76 SECRET ·Approved For Release 2005 06 06 CIA-RDP7 M0t146 A001100190009-1 STAT Approved For Release 2005 06 06 CIA P79M00467A001100190009-1 Next 5 Page s ·1n Document Exempt Approved For Release 2005 06 06 CIA-RDP79M00467A001100190009-1