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LFO :202-647-1037 JUN 30'95 13:00 No.008 P.01 7/5/95 USTR for THE LEGAL ADVISER do DEPARTMENT OF STATE will WASHINGTON Than Froms,6 new Jan arms a an arrust June 30, 1995 VIA FAX MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Alan J. Kreczko Special Assistant to the President and Legal Adviser to the National Security Council FROM: Conrad K. Harper SUBJECT: Proposed Bar on Executive Branch Communications with Foreign Government Agents Excural You have asked for our comments on a proposal to prohibit representatives of the USG from communicating with agents of foreign governments (designated as such in accordance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)). In our view, the proposed Executive Order raises a number of significant questions and concerns, and, if promulgated, would likely substantially impair the ability of the USG to receive and impart information in pursuance of its foreign policy objectives. We believe that these concerns are of sufficient magnitude as to counsel extreme caution and much more careful study before any action is taken on the proposal. 1. U.S. Litigation Involving Foreign Governments. State Department lawyers frequently interact with attorneys representing foreign governments with regard to a variety of litigation matters in the U.S. courts. We are concerned that FARA's section 3(g) exemption may not be broad enough to permit some of these communications should the proposed bar be implemented. The exemption extends to attorneys representing foreign principals before "any court of law," but only insofar as they abstain from informal attempts to "influence" or "persuade" agency personnel outside of "established agency proceedings." 22 U.S.C. § 613(g). Applicable regulations specifically designate attempts to influence the formulation of foreign policy as prohibited activities outside the course of agency proceedings. See 28 C.F.R. § 5.306. OPTIONAL FORM 89 (7-90) FAX TRANSMITTAL # of pages 7 alan NSC Krazko From Harper Dept./Agency Phone 647.9598 tax Fax # NSN 456.9110 7540-01-317-7368 1037 5099-101 GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION