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CIA Discloses FY 1998 Intelligence Budget Total

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Federation of American Scientists, the CIA announced on March 20 that the intelligence budget total for Fiscal Year 1998 is $26.7 billion.

Last October, the CIA disclosed the size of the FY 1997 intelligence budget total-- $26.6 billion-- but only after an FOIA lawsuit was filed.

The Federation has also formally requested the disclosure of the Fiscal Year 1999 intelligence budget request, and our request for that information is still pending.

A copy of the press statement of DCI George Tenet follows.

Press Release 03/20/98 No. 03-98

STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
REGARDING THE DISCLOSURE OF THE AGGREGATE
INTELLIGENCE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998

20 March 1998

In October 1997, the Administration released the aggregate amount appropriated for intelligence and intelligence-related activities for fiscal year 1997, which was $26.6 billion. At that time, I issued a public statement that disclosure of future aggregate intelligence budgets would be considered only after determining whether such disclosures could cause harm to national security.

After careful review, I am announcing the release of the aggregate amount appropriated for intelligence and intelligence-related activities for fiscal year 1998 because it has been determined that this release will not harm national security or otherwise harm intelligence sources and methods. The fiscal year 1998 figure is $26.7 billion.