CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.
A
PUBUC AFFAIRS
6
Mr. Daniel S. Wheelerhief THE AMERICAN LEGIONorth Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis,
Dear Mr.
*f* Hr. William Giles' article. "Mediawo-wayn the6 edition of THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE inaccurately represents the seriousness of the problem the US Intelligence Community and the nation face with respect to media disclosures of classified information. Damaging leaks of classified sources and methods have seriously affected the US Intelligence Community's ability to protect the nation. Agents have been arrested and havewere probably executed; valuable technical collection systems have been compromised and must be replaced at vast expense to the taxpayer; and our relationships with other intelligence services have been damaged by unauthorized disclosures.
Mr. Giles does not mention any of this and treats leaks of sensitive dataame. Ito game; iterious problem that should concern us
Director Casey explained our concerns In some depth last April to the American Society of Newspaper Editors. In doing so, he noted that heequired by law to protect the vital sources and methods by which we collect Intelligence. He takes that responsibility seriously and he asked for the cooperation of the media. When the nation's ability to protect Itself is damaged, all Americansand non-journalists alike. While the Government is responsible for protecting properly classified information
Mr. Daniel S.
6
and for disciplining those who violate their oaths of office bvto the mdia>IlM bear IS
ssrscf;^ren 9oods and for
Sincerely,
I I .
George V. Lauder ft Director, Public Affairs
Original document.
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