104-10331-10158 i SECRET NROC-104-98 12 June 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Information Review Group, OIM FROM: SUBJECT: (8) Propped Declassification.of Information on _ Anatoliy Golitsyn 1.  (S) Action Reque ted: Request that the JFK Assassination Review Board| (ARB) not declassify and release information officially confirming that Mr. | Iwas one of Anatoliy Golitsyn’s|former resettlement identities. Additionally, request the ‘not release the alien registration numbers issued to Mr. Golitsyn and his family members. 2. (S) Background: .|Mr. Golitsyn, a 71- “year-old former high-level Soviet KGB offi¢er who. defected in 1961, entered the i United States (U.S.) under|PL-110, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1976. The Counterintelligence Center (CIC) handled Mr. Golitsyn from 1961 until] 1991 when the| aSsumed management of the case. In the edlate OL1G ing his defection, Mr. Golitsyn was allowed to have direct wing ss to high-level U.S. Government (USG) officials and a substantial amount of classified material both of this Agency and other Western intelligence services. Since his 6: beeteeeds - defection, this Agency has|attempted to keep Mr. Golitsyn favorably disposed toward the USG and the Agency to prevent any possible disclosure of his|role with us and other intelligence services. ; 3. (S$) In early May/1998 DO/IMS advised NROC that the ARB intends to declassify, and|release to the public, information that -Mr-—Galits yn initially used the “pseudonym”, Mr.[ | upon arrival in the U.S. DO/IMS further advised - that Mr. Golitsyn’s alien egistration number, the previous full CL BY 649002 REASON 1. S(c) DECL X1 DRV DEF 2-87 SECRET Crs AS sew ’ ‘WAAR SH? REBT SST NAL
13-00000 SECRET SUBJECT: (S) Proposed Declassification of Information on Anatoliy Golitsyn names and alien registration numbers of his two. dependents would also be déclassified. [__|understands that the ‘rationale for the ARB’s release of this information is public availability of the name | 4, (S) — serongr' believes that the rationale for declassifying Mr. Golitsynis use of | is inadequate given that: Se -~-The classified: information scheduled for declassification — and release to the public contains the resettlement “pseudonym” of not only Mr. Golitsyn, but also his two family members who resettled in the U.S. with|him. Those family members’ names were not repeat not exposed ; : == av_.case,| Jerred in identifying the name, as a “pseudonym.” The name was a resettlement identity assigned to the Golitsyn family which was used. to establish their new lives. In contrast to pseudonyms (which have no basis in reality and have no backstopping) and even operational aliases (which may have minimal backstopping and could be used for a few operations and then discarded), resettlement identiti iving identities: If the resettlement identity as once publicly affiliated with | the Golitsyn family, the pérsonal history of all three Golitsyn family members (not just Mr. Golitsyn) would be highly vulnerable to being researched since, |as resettlees build their new lives, they establish public records... Many of these records are now readily available and exploitable on the Internet. Even if the Golitsyns have changed their resettlement identities through the yeats, one important piece of identifying data has remained constant; i.e. their alien registration numbers. If'these numbers|are declassified and made publicly. available, then the: Golitsyns’ other resettlement identities, including their current names, can be »_ The release of the Golitsyns’ full names, | (note that did not expose . Mr. Golitsyn’s ‘full name) ‘or alien registration. numbers will compromise their current resettlement identities and places of residence held throughout all their resettlement identities. — 1 et tte inna ee. 5. (S) -Mr. Golitsyn; like other resettlement cases, places a unique trust in the Agency: That it will protect his identity, security and not publicly disclose his unique relationship with LM SAB P AE le 2 | SECRET “etd BES aw . , WEEP EAT OT INAr
13-00000 _before placing his life in SECRET SUBJECT: (S) Proposed Detlassification of Information on Anatoliy Golitsy the USG. Mr. Golitsyn, as| other resettlees, lives life in fear of retribution from his former government. Official USG confirmation of his relationship with the Agency may undermine his and other's confidence/in the Agency’s commitment to be vigilant regarding their security. Mr. Golitsyn is in his senior. years and in poor health. | Should he perceive the release of this information as a lessening) of the Agency’s security commitment, it may exasperate his worsening medical condition. Should the USG action lead to his compromise, we are obliged to expend funds ‘to resettle him once againl In the case of Mr. Golitsyn, this means resettling two entire households at high cost. the recruitment of sources of high ys been this Agency’s top priority. nformation could do irreparable damage ndividuals who admire the U.S. and oration. Disclosure of cooperation y potential source to think twice the hands of an organization who sion. For those individuals such as Mr. Golitsyn, who placed their trust in this country in the past, entered our resettlement program, and are now U.S. citizens, the release of information with no real relevance to any national issue, seriously. erodes this Agency’s credibility and undermines our Resettlement. Program. 6. (S) Furthermore, intelligence value has alw Public disclosure of this . to our ability to attract ; might be disposed to coll with the USG would cause a cannot protect his. informa 3° SECRET Ot AE) AK . Wdte:2 B866T ST ‘NAL
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