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POL-A-5 

..;.a1.'\lAT!ONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

HANDLE VJA 

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OFFiCE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR 

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MEMORA1\TDUM FOR DR. FLAX 

SUBJECT: Decontrol and Downgrading 

of Satellite Photography 

June 26, 1967 

General Berg, Colonel Worthman, Mr. Mazza, and I have 

gone over the attached letter. We have concluded that we 

can think of no other action we could suggest to ameliorate 

the adverse effects which we foresee on the BYEMAN System. 

General Berg has asked Mr. Mazza to begin at once on a careful study of what changes if any are required in the BYEMAN 

System. 

Would you consider this letter and call upon us if you 

wish to discuss the matter further; otherwise, if you agree 

and will return the attached draft, we will put it in final 

form for your signature. 

Since the attached USIB paper which is the subject of 

your letter is now out for vote slip approval, lacking I 

believe only the views of the DIA and the CIA, it is suggested 

that in responding we recommend that the attached substitute 

paragraph V.G., page 7, be used to replace the one in the 

Board's paper. 

Attachments (3) 

Draft Itr to Helms 

Revised para V.G. 

USIB-D-41.12/28 

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/'James 

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Y/I~;l~ 

Q. Reber 

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D June 26, 1967 

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Dear Dick: /) 1i!...I-- /7_ 

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::s:l:,O ~.;-c...J2ct .. llJ)~ L-::J V?~./'~~~ c:::!J--t" 

the document on "Decontrol and Down-

/l 

grading of Satellite Photography" (USIB-D-41.12/28) which 

is currently distributed to the Board for its concurrence. 

r f tftis paper" is approved with its provis ion for treating 

the fact of satellite photographic reconnaissance at no G 

a.... <::"'O-....c.d""'~ ~n~;z:.;:~6I' 

higher than the SECRET classification, it will have ~~impact 

on the BYEMAN Security Control System the extent of which 

we are currenc "I y exp 1" orlng as we 11 as what actl"ons ~be w .. 

- taken with regard to that System. L:ince the paper recommends 

that final USlB approval be as of the date of the signature 

of the new proposed Presidential letter and since it will 

take some time for COMIREX to provide the complete detailed 

instructions for the implementation of Tab 1, I would assume 

that between four and eight weeks will elapse before the 

actions of the subject paper would go into effect. It would 

be helpful if this office were advised if my estimate on 

timing is incorrect. J 

of 

say that I anticipate a.J,;l. r? .. l.,:qc.: .. ;J;- ipeu:itab1-e operational 

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security erosion as the fact of satellite reconnaissance and 

information that comes available through intelligence publications become widely known amongst individuals outside both 

the TALENT-KEYHOLE and the BYEMAN Systems. I believe that 

our task of adjustment to this new decision and our capability 

to maintain operational security would be aided and strengthened if an additional paragraph were added to the draft which 

is appended to the subject document. 

The effect of the foregoing is to permit a 

recognition at the SECRET classification level 

that the United States has a satellite photographic 

reconnaissance program. However, since it is a 

very valuable national security asset, details 

are kept highly classified and are not available 

to personnel without special clearances. It is 

the national policy that the fact of such a program is not to be discussed publicly by.officers 

of the United States Government. 

Alexander H. Flax 

Honorable Richard Helms 

Director of Central Intelligence 

Central Intelligence Agency 

Washington, D. C. 

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v. G. Ordin~rily the date of the information will not 

be more precisely defined than by month and year. In those 

instances where a more precise date is essential to the 

meaning and significance of the information, it may be used 

following the approval of the Senior Intelligence Officer 

or his designee. 

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H!1NDLE V~A TALENT .. 

KEYHO LE Clt~r:r~ELS 

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