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| For Immediate Release | |
| Nov 2, 2001 | Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172 |
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Reinterpretation of Presidential Records Act of 1978 Creates New Layers of Secrecy Public Has A Right To Access (Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes government abuse and corruption, expressed grave disappointment in President Bush’ decision to issue an executive order allowing the White House or former presidents to veto the release of presidential papers. President Bush’s new reinterpretation of the Presidential Records Act allows the incumbent president, a former president, or in some cases, the family of a deceased president to withhold documents from their regular release to the public. President Bush’s new executive order provides that if a former president says that certain records are “privileged,” they will remain secret, even if the sitting president disagrees. The order also covers the records of former vice presidents. White House Counsel Alberto R. Gonzalez cited concerns for “national security” as being a factor in deciding to issue the new executive order, adding that the order did not create any new privileges, but “simply implemented an orderly process to deal with this information.” Many analysts believe the order was designed to shield records dealing with the Reagan Administration, when President George W. Bush’s father was Vice President. Recently, 68,000 pages of Reagan records, the first former president whose records are subject to the 1978 law, were subject to release. “The public clearly has a right to obtain information about their government. This is crucial even more so today, given government incompetence in protecting the American people from terrorism on U.S. soil. Judicial Watch will therefore challenge this overly broad executive order,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman. “The Clinton Administration improperly used executive orders to thwart the people’s rights. We expected more from President Bush. He should now retract this executive order to avoid a legal fight,” added Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. |
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