Washington,
D.C., 20 October 2004
- The National
Security Archive today filed suit against the Central Intelligence
Agency ("CIA") seeking the expedited processing and release
under the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") of the 2004
Iraq National Intelligence Estimate ("NIE). As the New York
Times reported on September 16, 2004, the NIE spells out a dark
assessment of prospects for Iraq. The estimate outlines three possibilities
for Iraq through the end of 2005, with the worst case being developments
that could lead to civil war.
The Archive is seeking
judicial intervention to require the CIA to expedite its processing
of a FOIA request for the NIE. "This is a textbook case for
expedited processing," said the Archive's General Counsel,
Meredith Fuchs. "There is a tremendous public interest in the
situation in Iraq and the U.S. commitment to Iraq, the news media
have focused significant attention on the NIE, and members of the
Senate Intelligence Committee have requested that the NIE be made
public to help with the formulation of policy."
The NIE was prepared
by the National Intelligence Council, which reports to the Director
of Central Intelligence. It was approved by the National Foreign
Intelligence Board, which is the senior Intelligence Community advisory
body to the Director of Central Intelligence on the substantive
aspects of national intelligence. It was approved by then-Acting
Director of Central Intelligence John E. McLaughlin.
Documents
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National
Security Archive vs. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Complaint,
October 20, 2004
Motion
for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction, October
20, 2004
Declaration
in Support of Motion, October 20, 2004
Central
Intelligence Agency Motion for Summary Judgment, January 18, 2005
Central
Intelligence Agency Declaration, January 18, 2005
National
Security Archive Opposition to Summary Judgment and Motion for In
Camera Review, February 14, 2005
Central
Intelligence Agency Reply Memorandum in Further Support of Motion
for Summary Judgment and in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion for
In Camera Judicial Review, March 30, 2005
Reply
Memorandum in Further Support of Plaintiff's Motion for In Camera
Judicial Review, May 2, 2005
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