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Memorandum to the Acting Director Re: Request for Disclosure of Manual of Instructions to Senator Edward M. Kennedy | Legal Counsel in the Department. At that conference I advised Mr. Dixon ‘ and Mr. Lindenbaum of the concern the FBI has regarding any access to the Manual of Instructions by persons outside the FBI. I pointed out that the manuals contain material of a highly sensitive nature which, if made accessible to persons outside the FBI could result in a detriment to FBI operations. I pointed out to Mr. Dixon and Mr. Lindenbaum that while ' we had no reservations about the personal integrity of officials in the Department, our concern was based on the principle that any disclosure outside the FBI increased the possibility of inadvertent or unauthorized release of the material. Mr. Dixon then asked me specifically whether I would be willing to authorize the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General to review the manuals and I advised him that if we were directed by the Attorney General to produce the manuals we would do so, but that in order of preference we would prefer: first, no disclosure outside the FBI, and if that were not possible, we would prefer disclosure only in the presence of an FBI representative. Mr. Dixon said that he .> tended to agree with my observation and that if he were to review FBI manuals he would like to have an FBI _ representative present who could certify that he did not remove or copy any material from the manuals. tn ee Opa» tele MIL 5 GSH eC hoy eratoemetieratec anteater neenirnnius OR a+ Mr. Lindenbaum advised that he better understood the position i of the FBI, but that he thought it would be essential for a persuasive i case to be made to the Attorney General in order to convince him that the manuals should not be disclosed. At that point, Mr. Dixon specifically requested a summary statement of examples of materials contained in the ‘ manuals that should not be disclosed because of the harm that such disclosure would cause. He requested this statement be furnished him before Monday morning, June 11, 1973. Mr. Dixon said that he and Mr. Lindenbaum would confer with the Attorney General at 9:00 a.m. on June 11, 1973, and would discuss this matter in detail. He said that if it was necessary i following that discussion, a conference would be held on Tuesday, June 12, 1973, at which time FBI representatives would be invited to appear and discuss this matter further. -2~ CONTINUED - OVER.