No. 13-97
CIA Press Release
15 October 1997
STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTOR
OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
REGARDING THE DISCLOSURE OF THE AGGREGATE
INTELLIGENCE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997
A lawsuit filed
several months ago under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) sought
the release of the aggregate budget appropriated for intelligence for
fiscal year 1997. Following consultations with the President and appropriate
agencies, I am announcing today the declassification and release of
this figure.
While the President
had previously indicated his preference to take such action in concert
with the Congress, the present circumstances related to this lawsuit
do not allow for joint action.
Our decision today
is premised upon two important points:
First, disclosure
of future aggregate figures will be considered only after determining
whether such disclosures could cause harm to the national security by
showing trends over time.
Second, we will
continue to protect from disclosure any and all subsidiary information
concerning the intelligence budget: whether the information concerns
particular intelligence agencies or particular intelligence programs.
In other words, the Administration intends to draw a firm line at
the top-line, aggregate figure. Beyond this figure, there will be
no other disclosures of currently classified budget information because
such disclosures could harm national security.
We believe this action
is appropriate because it does not jeopardize the ability of our intelligence
agencies to carry out their missions and serves to inform the American
people. Accordingly, the President has authorized me to release the
information at issue.
The aggregate amount
appropriated for intelligence and intelligence-related activities for
fiscal year 1997 is $26.6 billion.
[1997
Press Releases and Statements Page] [Press
Releases and Statements Page] [CIA Homepage]
|