Francesco/who-killed-jfk huggingface dataset:
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 5]
CONFIDENTIALNOTE FOR: Richard E. SchroederFROM: John F. PereiraDATE: 03/27/96 05:54:53 PMSUBJECT: Phone Conversation with Susan Oullette, HPSCIAs you requested, I called Susan Oullette, HPSCI Staff today to respond to her questions about JFK Assassination records. She said that the Committee was interested in the process used for declassifying the records, the status of our review, and what criteria we use for declassification.Following are among the main topics we covered during a discussion of about 10 minutes on the STU-III:*   A description of the JFK records held by CIA*   Process of declassification (review by retired senior officers, coordination with DO, OGC, others)*   Criteria for redaction*   Coordination with FBI, other agencies on third agency documents.*   Presidentially-appointed JFK Assassination Records Review Board    *   Differences with the Board on release of certain information e.g., names of former employees, identification of stations    *   Current appeal to the White House of decision by Board to release certain information we redacted.    *   Efforts of the Board to identify additional records, including in other countriesSusan said that she may have enough information for now, but she would let me know if more would be needed. I invited her to visit us if she wanted more details or to look at the records.CC: Brian S. Latell, J. Barry Harrelson, Fred Wickham @ DOCONFIDENTIAL
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 6]
# CONFIDENTIALDATE: 03/27/96 TIME: 1500STATUS: X KEY: C/96-05672EVENT: QUICK COMPLACE: 7BOO HQSFOR: HPSCISUBJ: JFK ASSASSINATION DOCUMENTSRESPONSIBLE OFFICER: RICHARD SCHROEDER SECURE: 3-9940---> (PARTICIPANTS) <---ASSOC NAME ROLESTAFF QUELLETTE, SUSAN MARY (HPSCI)CIA PEREIRA, JOHN (DCI/CSI) BRFR## EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:In response to a request from HPSCI staffer Susan Ouellettee, John Pereira, Chief of the Center for the Study of Intelligence's Historical Review Group, called her to discuss staff questions. Attached is his memo of that telecon.QUOTE:I called Susan Ouellette, HPSCI Staff today to respond to her questions about JFK Assassination records. She said that the Committee was interested in the process used for declassifying the records, the status of our review, and what criteria we use for declassification.Following are among the main topics we covered during a discussion of about 10 minutes on the STU-III:*   A description of the JFK records held by CIA*   Process of declassification (review by retired senior officers, coordination with DO, OGC, others)*   Criteria for redaction*   Coordination with FBI, other agencies on third agency documents.*   Presidentially-appointed JFK Assassination Records Review Board Differences with the Board on release of certain information e.g., names of former employees, identification of stations*   House of decision by Board to Current appeal to the White release certain information we redacted.
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 7]
13-00000Efforts of the Board toidentify additional records, includingin other countriesSusan said that she may have enough information for now, butshe would let me know if more would be needed. I invitedher to visit us if she wanted more details or to look at therecords.END QUOTESUPPORTING TEXT:no further text in this document (U)Richard E. SchroederDCI/OCA/CLG28 March 1996Distribution: DCI/CSIDO/ORMSDDIOGCOCARES chronoCL BY 620119CL REASON 1.5CDECL ON X1DRV FM HUM 4-82CONFIDENTIAL
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 8]
SECRETFrom the Desk of Richard E. Schroeder-C-NOTE FOR: John PereiraLaurie Goodwin @ DOFROM: Richard E. Schroeder-C-DATE: 03/28/96 01:19:41 PMSUBJECT: HPSCI Request for staff brief on JFK assassinationHPSCI staffer Susan Ouellette liked John Pereira's 27 Mar 96 telecon on the JFK assassination issue (see attached note) so much that she'd like to schedule a staff brief for sometime in the next two weeks. She'd like the brief to concentrate on two issues mentioned by John in the telecon:--Differences with the Board on release of certain info (names of former employees, identification of stations),and--Current appeal to the White House of decesion of Board to release certain info we redacted.Defer to John and DO addees to work out who'll brief (see separate note from DO/ORMS Laurie Goodwin re Bill McNair.)Ouellette suggests c. 1000 either Apr 2, 3, or 4, or Apr 9, 10, 11 since HPSCI recess schedule is pretty open. John, pls advise your timing preference. Thanks.![graphic]C9605672.DOCCC: Brian LatellBarry HarrelsonFred Wickham @ DOWilliam McNair @ DOVirginia B. OKUM @ DOMontgomery RogersCharles BoykinJoyce WoodburnJacqueline MitchellSECRET
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 9]
MEMORANDUM FOR:Attendees at the meeting with HPSI Members on Wed:Mike SheehyChristine HealeySteve NelsonDoug BowmanBill LieserDate 4/96
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 10]
SECRETTO: John PereiraLaurie Goodwin @ DOFROM: Richard E. Schroeder-C-DATE: 04/03/96 12:57:18 PMSUBJECT: Re: HPSCI Request for staff brief on JFK assassinationHPSCI staffer Susan Ouellette liked John Pereira's 27 Mar 96 telecon on the JFK assassination issue (see attached note) so much that she'd like to schedule a staff brief for sometime in the next two weeks. She'd like the brief to concentrate on two issues mentioned by John in the telecon:--Differences with the Board on release of certain info (names of former employees, identification of stations),and --Current appeal to the White House of decesion of Board to release certain info we redacted.Defer to John and DO addees to work out who'll brief (see separate note from DO/ORMS Laurie Goodwin re Bill McNair.)Ouellette suggests c. 1000 either Apr 2, 3, or 4, or Apr 9, 10, 11 since HPSCI recess schedule is pretty open. John, pls advise your timing preference. Thanks.![image of logo]C9605672.DOCI've now confirmed our briefing for HPSCI at 1030 Weds 10 April. Pls let me know who will attend for CSI and the DO. Thanks. OCA van will depart from OHB Main Entrance at 1000. RES 1255/3Apr96.CC: Brian Latell, Barry Harrelson, Fred Wickham @ DO, William McNair @ DO, Virginia B. OKUM @ DO, Montgomery Rogers, Charles Boykin/Joyce Woodburn, Jacqueline Mitchell /SECRET
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 11]
ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLYFrom the Desk of Linda C. CiprianiNOTE FOR:John F. PereiraJ. Barry HarrelsonFROM:Linda C. CiprianiDATE:04/09/96 01:51:24 PMSUBJECT:HPSCI talking pointsThought you may be interested in seeing in advance an outline of what I plan to say at the HPSCI briefing. Of course, I will be ready to alter this according to the circumstances of the meeting!Talking PointsI. Statutory Authorities of the JFK Board1. The JFK Act states that all government records relating to the JFK assassination should carry a presumption of immediate disclosure and that all records will eventually be disclosed. Although the Act allows for the postponement of release of certain information, all records will be disclosed in full by 2017 unless the President certifies that protection is still necessary.2. Under the JFK Act, the JFK Board determines what is an "assassination record" and whether an assassination record qualifies for postponement. The Board has the power to direct a government agency to make available to it, not only assassination records, but additional information which it believes is necessary to fullfill its duties under the Act. It has has the power to request the Attorney General to subpoena private persons, records and other information relevant to its responsibilities under the Act.II. Appeal Procedures set out in JFK Act1. Once Board has determined whether a record shall be released or postponed, it must send a "Notification Letter" to the head of the agency (DCI)2. Only recourse for an agency that disagrees with Board determination is to appeal to the President.3. The President has 30 days from the date of the Notification Letter to reply to appeala. White House asks that agencies submit anyADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 12]
ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY# III. February 8th Appeal1. In November and December of 1995, the JFK Board notified DCI of the release of documents that would:   - implicate high-ranking *Mexican* officials in a *joint tel-tap* operation against *foreign embassies* - *Mexican* liaison (December 7)   - reveal station in *Helsinki* (December 27)   - identify sensitive *unilateral* source in the *Nicaraguan* service (November 28)2. On February 8, DCI submitted an appeal to the President on these issues.   a. Admittedly, CIA did have problems getting appeal out on time. The JFK staff was very understanding of our time problems and arranged to give us more time. They too have recognized that the time periods set out in the Act are too short to bring an appeal.   b. The reason for CIA's delay was simply because the decision to appeal a Board determination to the President of the US is very difficult one to make, both on a procedural and a substantive level. As CIA never did an appeal before, it did not have an efficient system worked out.   c. Today, the procedure is as follows: Once HRG is notified of Board decisions, they immediately pass this on to OGC and the DO. The appropriate components within DO are asked whether the release would cause current damage to the national security or intelligence operations or sources. If so, they are tasked to provide a written assessment of that damage.   d. An appeal package is then prepared by OGC and the DO. This package must then be approved by GC, DDO, EXDIR, DDCI and DCI.   e. Although CIA's turn around time is improving, it can take several weeks to task the appropriate people, have them gather the information needed to prepare an appeal and then get this up to the DCI.3. Despite our time problems, the JFK Staff was cooperative in the process of bringing this appeal to the President:
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 13]
13-00000ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLYa. Before submitting appeal to the President, I faxed copy of appeal to JFK Board's General Counsel with the idea that if it presented new and convincing evidence, he would present it to the Board during its session.b. Shortly after submitting the appeal to the President, I spoke with White House Counsel and Counsel to JFK Board. We agreed to put the appeal on hold until the Board could review CIA's submission to the White House and possibly reconsider its determinations in light of additional information presented in the appeal.c. I talked with JFK Board's Counsel and Executive Director regularly about the best way to handle the appeal. I arranged with them to have the General Counsel of CIA to come to the Board's February meeting and present new information regarding the issues on appeal.d. On February 29, the General Counsel of CIA and I met with the JFK Board and their staff. We discussed issues on appeal as well as 3 other stations recently released (Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen)e. Based on the information presented by CIA at this meeting, the Board reconsidered and agreed to protect all of the issues on appeal as well as 3 other stations.IV. Future appeal procedures1. Both JFK Board and CIA agree that we should never have to appeal something to the President and we should try to work out difficult issues on our own.2. In the last 2 months, when CIA believed that a release would damage the national security, the Board has invited us to their meetings to present additional evidence on the issue. In some cases, they have reconsidered their decision and protected the information.3. The Board also recently released Tokyo station - we are arranging to meet with them at the end of this month to present stronger arguments for protecting this station.4. The Board is now considering the release of names of CIA employees who retired under cover. It is very important for CIA's mission that the names of its employees, especially those who remain covert, be protected even after retirement. In the spirit of cooperation and in the hopes of getting the Board to understand this, CIA helped arrange a meeting between the JFK Board's General Counsel and a retired CIA covert employeeADMINISTRATIVE INTERNAL USE ONLY
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 14]
13-00000ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY![Secret stamp image]currently living in Europe. CIA hopes that after hearing from the employee about his objections to having his name released and the harm that may come to him, the Board will agree to protect his name, and others like him, from release.CC:ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY![Secret stamp image]
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 15]
13-00000SECRETHPSCI BRIEFING - JFK DECLASSIFICATION 10 April 19961.  Nature of the records--Oswald 201, Sequestered (hardy cupy/micn.film    Other records: Minutes of DCI morning meetings; working files    Third Agency documents: FBI, SSCI, Presidential libraries2.  Pages released (227,000)    Percentage of pages redacted; 70 %3.  Process of declassification    Former senior officers in HRG review    Coordination with OGC, DO (DO team detailed to HRG)4.  Standards for review in JFK Assassination Records Collection Act, 1992    Records related to the assassination or investigation into the assassination [Cuban exile activities]    Law provides grounds for postponement of disclosure of records    "Clear and convincing evidence" must be pre-    sented to the Board    E.g., Identity of agent currently requiring protection    Source or method currently utilized    Foreign government relationship cur- rently requiring protection5.  Board has authority to release records unless it agrees there is "clear and convincing evidence" to support a postponement    Board then has to justify on the record each redaction with which it agrees    Once a determination is made, Board must publish it in Federal Register within 14 days
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 16]
- Options available: substitute language e.g., "Northern European station"- Also, summary of a record- Board has access to every document in full6. Issues raised by Board's decisions:- Problem: Board has difficulty in linking disclosure of information that is 30 years old with damage to current intelligence operations- Identification of stations e.g., (Helsinki Jan1961, window, Sept 1964) exceptions- Names of former Agency employees who retired under cover- Board guidelines: Protect person if retired under cover and now residing overseas, but not if in US *  (1 year to provide addition evidence)  Liaison, joint operations in Mexico* - Briefing of the Board by Dave Edger, Jeff Smith, Central Cover, DO desk officers, others- Problem of accumulative effect of releases--eroding cover, ability to conduct operations7. Provision for appeal to the White House if we disagree with Board's determination- President has sole authority to require postponement of a record or information--President required to advise the Board within 30 days of the Board's determination-- This is published in the Federal Register8. Current appeal (now resolved)- Issues: identification of Agency asset  liaison relationship  identification of station> document exam des- Potential appeal: Tokyo station9. Additional requests of Board to review other records e.g., history of Mexico City station, Intelligence Community Staff recordsNoles:- Board dues a't accept "principle" as justification for postponement - nequines evidence- Even if agreement to putect (licin max) disagreement a over specific / suh language at times- precedent set fary. JFK →re FUTA elg......
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 17]
# SECRET# WTC/Memorandum for the RecordPage 1KEY: C/96-05677EVENT: STAFF BRIEFING DATE:04/10/96 TIME: 1030 STATUS: COMPLETEPLACE: H-405 CAPITOLFOR: HPSCISUBJ: JFK ASSASSINATION DOCUMENTS-- (PARTICIPANTS) --ASSOC NAME ROLESTAFF BARTON, CHRISTOPHER (HPSCI)STAFF DUPART, LOUIS H. (HPSCI)STAFF EBERWEIN, CATHERINE D. (HPSCI)STAFF HEALEY, LOUISE CHRISTINE (HPSCI)STAFF LOWENTHAL, MARK M. (HPSCI)STAFF QUELLETTE, SUSAN MARY (HPSCI)STAFF SHEEHY, MICHAEL WILLIAM (HPSCI)CIA CIPRIANI, LINDA (DCI/OGC) BRFRCIA HARRELSON, BARRY (DCI/CSI) BRFRCIA PEREIRA, JOHN (DCI/CSI) BRFRCIA SCHROEDER, RICHARD (DCI/OCA) SPRTCIA WICKHAM, FRED (DO/IMS) BRFR-- (EXECUTIVE SUMMARY) --Following a telephone conversation with HPSCI staff in which HRG/CSI noted a number of JFK assassination declassification issues (see OCA C/96-05672 of 27 Mar 96,) CSI, DO, and OGC briefed staff on the status of the JFK declassification effort, the 1992 law which established the JFK Assassination Records Review Board and the scope of the Board's authority, and the details of some current declassification issues we have been addressing with the Board. We noted the close working relationship between the Agency and the Board, and said that the Board staff is trying to understand the Agency's equities and perspectives. Some staff expressed concern about the Board's broad powers and authorities under the 1992 law, particularly regarding declassification of intelligence material bearing on identities, sources, and methods. (S)-- (ADDITIONAL INFORMATION) --1. C/CSI/Historical Review Group Pereira opened by briefly describing the nature of the CIA JFK material. The open-ended "Oswald 201" also includes material gathered after the assassination, and the "sequestered file" is that material that was assembled for the JFK assassination investigations. The material was originally sanitized and released to the National Archives in 1993. We are now reviewing the 227,000 pages and attempting to justify the material we withheld. Some seventy percent of the released material contains redactions, although later in the briefing we noted that as our experience has grown the redaction standards have evolved and now most material (up to eighty percent) is being released whole. Some 25 senior annuitants, working closely with a DO team led by Wickham, have been performing the initial review. Pereira pointed out that we are not only reviewing the assassination records, but those records bearing on the House Assassinations Committee's investigation of the assassination. Pereira identified the five academic historians who make up the Board, and said they are supported by 30 full-time Board staffers headed by former Berlin Documentation Center chief David Marwell.SECRETCL BY 620119CL REASON 1.5CDECL ON X1DRV FM HUM 4-82
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 19]
SECRETPage 3# WTC/Memorandum for the RecordKEY: C/96-05677that do not add to the story but harm our equities. In response to a Healey question, Pereira said we are making progress in giving the Board staff the context and framework necessary to appreciate and support our concerns. He said the staff tries very hard to give the Board necessary background, and Wickham seconded Pereira's assessment that we have a very good working relationship with the staff. Under the provisions of the Act, the Board will be working until October 1997, dealing with CIA, FBI, DepState, as well as private individuals and even foreign governments. They are interviewing people, and as Pereira noted, "getting theories." (S)4. Staff, even those who asked pointed questions like Healey and Sheehy, seemed satisfied. Majority Staffer Eberwein, perhaps reflecting concerns voiced by Deputy Majority Director Dupart about protecting Agency sources and methods, however, expressed concern later about possibly amending the '92 act to moderate the act's bias toward release. Indeed, she contacted OCA lawyer Cindy Ellis and asked her to draft language amending the act. It had not been my impression during the briefing that staff had been especially concerned about the act to the point of intending to modify it, and its also unclear whether Eberwein was acting on behalf of senior majority staff or the membership in asking OCA to suggest modifications to the act. (S)![Signature of Richard E. Schroeder]Richard E. Schroeder, (C)CIA Liaison GroupOffice of Congressional AffairsDCI/OCA/CLG/RESchroeder:dms/39940 (15 Apr 96)Distribution:Original - OCA Records1 - D/OCA1 - DCI/CSI1 - DO/IMS1 - DO/ORMS/CAG1 - DCI/OGC1 - RESchroeder/Chrono--- (FOLLOW-UP ACTION ITEMS) ---There were no Action Items on file for this event.SECRET
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 20]
SECRETDATE: 04/10/96 TIME: 1030STATUS: X - KEY: C/96-05677EVENT: STAFF BRIEFINGPLACE: H-405 CAPITOLFOR: HPSCISUBJ: JFK ASSASSINATION DOCUMENTSRESPONSIBLE OFFICER: RICHARD SCHROEDER - SECURE: 3-9940---> (PARTICIPANTS) <---| ASSOC | NAME                             | ROLE || ----- | -------------------------------- | ---- || STAFF | BARTON, CHRISTOPHER (HPSCI)      |      || STAFF | DUPART, LOUIS H. (HPSCI)         |      || STAFF | EBERWEIN, CATHERINE D. (HPSCI)   |      || STAFF | HEALEY, LOUISE CHRISTINE (HPSCI) |      || STAFF | LOWENTHAL, MARK M. (HPSCI)       |      || STAFF | OUELLETTE, SUSAN MARY (HPSCI)    |      || STAFF | SHEEHY, MICHAEL WILLIAM (HPSCI)  |      || CIA   | CIPRIANI, LINDA (DCI/OGC)        | BRFR || CIA   | HARRELSON, BARRY (DCI/CSI)       | BRFR || CIA   | PEREIRA, JOHN (DCI/CSI)          | BRFR || CIA   | SCHROEDER, RICHARD (DCI/OCA)     | SPRT || CIA   | WICKHAM, FRED (DO/IMS)           | BRFR |
[104-10337-10002.pdf — page 21]
# SECRETDATE: 04/10/96 TIME: 1030STATUS: X KEY: C/96-05677EVENT: STAFF BRIEFINGPLACE: H-405 CAPITOLFOR: HPSCISUBJ: JFK ASSASSINATION DOCUMENTSRESPONSIBLE OFFICER: RICHARD SCHROEDER - SECURE: 3-9940---> (PARTICIPANTS) <---ASSOC NAME ROLESTAFF BARTON, CHRISTOPHER (HPSCI)STAFF DUPART, LOUIS H. (HPSCI)STAFF EBERWEIN, CATHERINE D. (HPSCI)STAFF HEALEY, LOUISE CHRISTINE (HPSCI)STAFF LOWENTHAL, MARK M. (HPSCI)STAFF OUELLETTE, SUSAN MARY (HPSCI)STAFF SHEEHY, MICHAEL WILLIAM (HPSCI)CIA CIPRIANI, LINDA (DCI/OGC) BRFRCIA HARRELSON, BARRY (DCI/CSI) BRFRCIA PEREIRA, JOHN (DCI/CSI) BRFRCIA SCHROEDER, RICHARD (DCI/OCA) SPRTCIA WICKHAM, FRED (DO/IMS) BRFR## EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:Following a telephone conversation with HPSCI staff in which HRG/CSI noted a number of JFK assassination declassification issues (see OCA C/96-05672 of 27 Mar 96,) CSI, DO, and OGC briefed staff on the status of the JFK declassification effort, the 1992 law which established the JFK Assassination Records Review Board and the scope of the Board's authority, and the details of some current declassification issues we have been addressing with the Board. We noted the close working relationship between the Agency and the Board, and said that the Board staff is trying to understand the Agency's equities and perspectives. Some staff expressed concern about the Board's broad powers and authorities under the 1992 law, particularly regarding declassification of intelligence material bearing on identities, sources, and methods. (S)## SUPPORTING TEXT:1. C/CSI/Historical Review Group Pereira opened by briefly describing the nature of the CIA JFK material. The open-ended "Oswald 201" also includes material gathered later, and the "sequestered file" is that material that was