107. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to the Chairman of the Intelligence Oversight Board (Farmer)1

SUBJECT

  • Intelligence Oversight Board Procedures (U)

The President has reviewed your March 13, 1980 memo2 and has reached the following decisions:

—After review with the DCI of the two cases you cite, a decision will be made as to whether or not the IOB should be briefed.

—The IOB has been and will continue to be fully informed of all but the most exceptional cases, which will be decided by the President, often with the aid of the Attorney General. The President’s decision will be final in such cases.

—The Attorney General has been instructed to promulgate the unimplemented EO 12036 procedures without delay.

—Executive Branch oversight systems, including the IOB, are working well. These procedures are independent of initiatives to modify Congressional reporting procedures, and should remain so. The IOB should continue to focus on its important role, which is unaffected by what may be accomplished with the Congress. (S)

Zbigniew Brzezinski
  1. Source: National Security Council, Carter Intelligence Files, IOB, 19 March 1979–5 Dec 1980. Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of Central Intelligence and the Attorney General.
  2. See Document 104.