IV-SECRET-

.

-}NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE

WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE NRO ETAPI= 19 March 1974

POHI NRANDUM- FOR MR. SINGEL

SUBJECT: Review of Proposed Draft

The following comments are submitted and differences

of opinion on the basic issues are reflected as footnotes

as requested.

or,

Dep Assistant for Security

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COMMENTS 

• . can differentiate between the "official" and the

"speculative" material."

Page 4. Paragraph e, first sentence: Change to read

". • • may satisfy additional needs within their disciplines

and interests beyond those already identified."

Page 4. Paragraph f: Change second sentence to read:

"The U.S. policy of not acknowledging the "fact of" satellite

reconnaissance and security controls created by classification

of the "fact of" do not allow such candor . . ."

Page first sentence: Change to read: "While many

specific current problems were discussed, it was agreed that

recent changes in the environment have not altered the need

for tight security on the NRP and its activities; however, the

recent publicity about the NRO and the official acknowledgement

of its existence requires that a new public disclosure "cut-oft

point" be established. In this regard it was determined that

four issues require resolution. Decisions on the issues which

follow would dictate the current security posture for the NRO

and NRP."

Page 7. end of first paragraph: "Footnote 1. The NRO

Security Staff representative believes it is inadvisable to

authorize the disclosure of the DNRO and the NRO staff identity.

While acknowledgement of the existence of the NRO provides a

shoehorn into the organizational structure, it must be resisted

if the identity and relationships of the program offices are to

be protected. Program A (SAFSP) is particularly vulnerable due

to its overt name and affiliation with launch facilities and •

military missile and space activities."

Page S. first line: Change to read ". . . (PFIAB) which

were reaffirmed as recently as early 1974, and was developed

to assure rapid response to the requirements of the intelligence

community."

Page 3. Paragraph b. last sentence: Change to read

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Page 8. Tenth Line: Add "In summary, the committee

believes that security should not be used as a basis for

normalizing the NRO."

Page 8. Paragraph b: Change second sentence to read

"First it was agreed that'any declassification of the "fact

of" must be . . . "

Yam* 9. Second Paragraph: Insert between first and second

'sentence "The most significant threat is the possibility for

a U.N. treaty banning surveillance or reconnaissance from space

without the concurrence of the country being surveilled or.

reconnoitered. Various non-aligned countries, particularly

Brazil, have expressed significant sensitivities about space

surveillance and intention to press for a treaty."

Page 9. Second Paragraph: Change third and fourth sentences

to read "For these reasons, it appears that objections to the

declassification of the "fact of" on security grounds be withheld

but defer to Dr. Kissinger for the political decision. Since

much can be gained by the method of exposing this decision,

specific procedures for doing so should be-established beforehand."

Page 10. At end of first paragraph: Add "Footnote 2. The

NRO Security Staff representative believes other nations could

distinguish between the existing "common knowledge" of satellite

reconnaissance and an "official' acknowledgement by the government, even if that acknowledgement occurs only by confirmation

of that fact by official records."

Page 12. Paragraph 7.a.: Add "Footnote 3. The NRO Security

Staff representative does not recommend authorization to acknowledge DNRO or NRO Staff identity and recommends the declassification

and disclosure "cut-off line" be made here.. This recommendation

is predicated upon a belief that additional authorized disclosures

About the NRO and its activities within the government to an

uncontrollable degree with a resUltant intentional but unwitting

disclosure of the "fact of." Additionally, identification of the

DNRO and NRO Staff (SAFSS) will signifiCantly increase the risk

of identification of Program A (SAFSP) and Program Office

relationships."

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Page 13. Paragraph d: Add at the end of sentence

. . briefed on this policy and the continuing need for

strict security be reaffirmed."

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