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e05b67ed960a31eb8f92ed9fe4356f8d
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Text
Clinton Presidential Library
1200 President Clinton Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201
Inventory for FOIA Request 2006-1011-F
Records of Maurice Sonnenberg and his service as a member of the President’s Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB).
Extent
34 folders, approximately 884 pages
Access
Collection is open to all researchers. Access to Clinton Presidential Records is governed by the
Presidential Records Act (PRA) (44 USC Chapter 22) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5
USC 552 as amended) and therefore records may be restricted in whole or in part in accordance with
legal exemptions.
Copyright
Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States government as part of
their official duties are in the public domain. Researchers are advised to consult the copyright law of the
United States (17 USC Chapter 1) which governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of
copyrighted material.
Provenance
Official records of William Jefferson Clinton’s presidency are housed at the Clinton Presidential Library
and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the provisions of
the Presidential Records Act (PRA).
Processed by
Staff Archivist, 2010-2011. Previously restricted materials are added as they are released.
Scope and Content
The materials in FOIA 2006-1011-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the
FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials.
FOIA request 2006-1011-F consists of material concerning Maurice Sonnenberg’s service on the
President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB). Maurice Sonnenberg was appointed by
President William Jefferson Clinton to the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB).
He served on the board from 1993-2001. Mr. Sonnenberg was the Former Chairman of the Democratic
House and Senate Council, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Foreign Policy Association, and a
member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as an advisor to five White House
administrations advising on topics of intelligence, foreign policy, international trade, and finance.
The President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB) was created by President Dwight
Eisenhower in 1956. Executive Order 10656, signed February 6, 1956, created the President’s Board of
2006-1011-F
http://www.clintonlibrary.gov
1
�Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities. Eisenhower believed that this board of respected and
knowledgeable citizens could provide him with unbiased and candid appraisals of United States’
intelligence activities. President John Kennedy, by the signing of Executive Order 10938 on May 4,
1961, renamed the Board of Consultants, the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Though
the name was changed, the board continued to operate in much the same fashion.
Executive Order 11460, signed by President Richard Nixon on March 20, 1969, again changed the name
of the PFIAB to the President’s Advisory Intelligence Board. President Jimmy Carter abolished the
board in March of 1977. Carter did however, retain the Intelligence Oversight Board. The IOB was
created by President Gerald Ford in 1976 following a post Watergate investigation by Congress into
potential illegal activities of the intelligence agencies. The IOB was tasked with reporting potential
illegal activities to the Department of Justice for review. As Ford told Congress in 1976, ―I believe [the
changes] will eliminate abuses and questionable activities on the part of the foreign intelligence agencies
while at the same time allowing them to get on with their vital work of gathering and assessing
information.‖
President Ronald Reagan modified the role of the IOB in 1981 and re-established the PFIAB in 1985 by
signing Executive Order 12537. President William Jefferson Clinton combined the IOB and the PFIAB,
making the IOB a committee rather than an independent organization. President George W. Bush
radically modified the role of both the IOB and the PFIAB following the creation of a Director of
National Intelligence. The newly named President’s Intelligence Advisory Board was designated to
oversee the intelligence collection activities of any Federal agency engaged in the collection of
intelligence or the production of intelligence policy. President Barak Obama more clearly defined the
role of the PIAB and strengthened the IOB with the passage of Executive Order 13516.
Under President Clinton the PFIAB had between eleven and twelve members, by law it could be no
more than sixteen, whose terms were established by the President. Members were chosen for their
independence, knowledge, and experience. The members of the President’s Intelligence Advisory
Board serve as unpaid observers of United States intelligence community. Much of their work is highly
secret in nature though Presidents have chosen on occasion to make the Board’s reports, or portions
thereof, public. The members of the Board are appointed by the President and the Director serves at the
leisure of the President.
The materials in FOIA 2006-1011-F consist of cables, correspondence, emails, and resumes relating to
Sonnenberg’s appointment, reappointment, and service on the PFIAB. Automated Records
Management System [Email] (ARMS) and Tape Restoration Project [Email] (TRP) email records
responsive to this FOIA originate in the Office of the White House (WHO) and Default emails
belonging to no specific agency.
System of Arrangement
Records that are responsive to this FOIA request were found in five collections areas—Clinton
Presidential Records: WHORM Subject File, Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and
Office Files, Clinton Presidential Records: ARMS Emails, Clinton Presidential Records: TRP Emails,
and Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, NSC Email, and NSC Records Management System.
The White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) contains a variety of series created to
organize and track documents and correspondence. The WHORM Subject File was was compiled by
the White House Office of Records Management and is a series of categories designated by a
letter/number combination.
2006-1011-F
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2
�White House Staff and Office Files were maintained at the folder level by staff members within their
individual offices and documents all levels of administration activity.
WHORM files are processed at the document level; whereas, Staff and Office files are processed at the
folder level, that is, individual documents are not selected and removed from a folder for processing.
While this method maintains folder integrity, it frequently results in the incidental processing of
documents that are not wholly responsive to the subject area.
The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) is a database that contains email records of the
Executive Office of the President. This system maintained unclassified Presidential Records email. The
ARMS dataset is comprised of 6 sub-series of email records called ―Buckets.‖ The buckets include
NPR, OPD, POTUS, WHO, CEA, and Default. ARMS email are arranged chronologically by creation
date.
The Tape Restoration Project (TRP) is a database consisting of restored emails from the Automated
Records Management System from July 1994 through June of 2000. The TRP is a database that
contains email records of the Executive Office of the President. This system maintained unclassified
Presidential record email. The TRP dataset is comprised of 6 sub-series of email records called
―Buckets.‖ The buckets include NPR, OPD, POTUS, WHO, CEA, and Default. TRP emails are
arranged chronologically by creation date.
The following is a list of documents and folders processed in response to FOIA 2006-1011-F:
Box 1
Clinton Presidential Records: WHORM Subject File
Category
Case Number
PE002
073649 [Sonnenberg] [OA/ID 12251]
PE002
095263 [Sonnenberg] [OA/ID 12287]
PE002
101303 [Sonnenberg] [OA/ID 12341]
PE002
107130 [Sonnenberg] [OA/ID 14090]
PE002
144329 [Sonnenberg] [OA/ID 12426]
PP
232861SS [OA/ID 13964]
PP
257703SS [Sonnenberg] [OA/ID 13967]
PR005-01
290219 [Sonnenberg] [OA/ID 13998]
WH004
001097 [OA/ID 14123]
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Counsel’s Office
Mauton, Cliff
Maurice Sonnenberg [OA/ID 1888]
Reynolds, Stacy
Sonnenberg, Maurice (update) [OA/ID 7415]
Schaffner, Jane
Sonnenberg, Maurice [OA/ID 18879]
Sonnenberg, Maurice [OA/ID CF 1634]
Sonnenberg, Maurice [1] [OA/ID CF 1639]
Sonnenberg, Maurice [2] [1] [OA/ID CF 1639]
2006-1011-F
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3
�Box 2
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files (continued)
Counsel’s Office
Schaffner, Jane
Sonnenberg, Maurice [2] [2] [OA/ID CF 1639]
Sonnenberg, Maurice [3] [OA/ID CF 1639]
Sonnenberg, Maurice 278 [OA/ID CF 1639]
Sonnenberg, Maurice Irving [OA/ID CF 1634]
Chief of Staff
McClarty, Thomas (Mack)
Correspondence: Maurice Sonnenberg [OA/ID CF 139]
Presidential Personnel
Maurice Sonnenberg [OA/ID 9134]
Przeworksi, Bethany
[Folder #12 – Maurice Sonnenberg] [OA/ID 14273]
Security Office
Sonnenberg, Maurice Irving [OA/ID CF 1901]
Clinton Presidential Records: Automated Records Management System [Email]
WHO [OA/ID 500000]
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB]
[09/29/1995-01/08/2001]
Default [OA/ID 1100000]
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB]
[08/27/1997]
NSC [OA/ID 1200000]
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB, Intelligence]
[04/18/1997-10/17/2000]
Clinton Presidential Records: Tape Restoration Project [Email]
Default [OA/ID 1100000]
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB]
[09/15/1997]
Box 3
Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System
NSC Cables
Jan 1995-Dec 1996
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB, Intelligence]
[07/25/1996-08/02/1996] [OA/ID 510000]
Jan 1997-Dec 1998
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB, Intelligence]
[05/008/1998-0831/1998] [OA/ID 520000]
Jan 1999-Dec 2000
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB, Intelligence]
[09/11/1999-09/12/1999] [OA/ID 530000]
2006-1011-F
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4
�Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System (continued)
NSC Emails
MSMail-Record (Sept 94-Sept 97)
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB, Intelligence]
[07/25/1995-04/18/1997] [OA/ID 590000]
MSMail-Non-Record (Sept 94-Sept 97)
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB, Intelligence]
[03/26/1997-04/08/1997] [OA/ID 605000]
Exchange-Record (Sept 97-Jan 01)
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB, Intelligence]
[01/19/1998-01/05/2001] [OA/ID 620000]
Exchange-Non-Record (Mar 97-Jan 01)
[Sonnenberg, PFIAB, Intelligence]
[07/10/1997-02/01/2000] [OA/ID 630000]
Last modified: 9/28/2012
2006-1011-F
http://www.clintonlibrary.gov
5
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Finding Aids - Collection Descriptions & Inventories
Description
An account of the resource
Finding aids at the Clinton Presidential Library contain a detailed description of the collection including the total number of pages or photos and length of video and audio recordings. Finding aids also include background information of the collection’s topic and details on the record type (ex: email, memorandum, briefing book, Betacam video, audio cassette etc). <br /><br />Finding aids describe collections at the box and folder level, and include a folder title list and information about the arrangement of the collection. <br /><br /><strong>Please note the majority of collections have not yet been scanned nor made available online.</strong>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Maurice Sonnenberg - PFIAB - Collection Finding Aid
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2006-1011-F
Description
An account of the resource
This collection consists of records relating to Maurice Sonnenberg and his service as member of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Records include administrative paperwork relating to Sonnenberg's service. Sonnenberg was the Former Chairman of the Democratic House and Senate Council, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Foreign Policy Association, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as an advisor to five White House administrations advising on topics of intelligence, foreign policy, international trade, and finance.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
The topic of the resource
United States. President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
Finding Aid
-
https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/files/original/082ce3ccb85e7255c152cd5fbf74697d.pdf
ef0f2bebfd8a30b140a0600b17cfd17f
PDF Text
Text
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinto~
DOCUMENT NO.
AND TYPE
Library ·
SUBJECTffiTLE.
DATE
RESTRICTION
001. memo
SSN (Partial); DOB (Partial); Telephone No .. (Partial); Address
(Partial) (1 page)
09/30/1998
P6/b(6)
002. note
Personal. (Partial) (1 page)
n.d.
P6/b(6)
·003. memo
Maurice Sonnenberg, Candidate for Member (P A) (2 pages)
Ol/02/1996
P2,P5
004. memo
Duplicate of003. (2 pages)
Ol/0211996
P2,P5
005. memo
Duplicate of003. (2 pages)
01102/1996
P2,P5
006. memo
Duplicate of003. (2 pages)
Ol/0211996
P2,P5
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Counsel's Office
. Jane Schaffner
OA/Box Number:
18879
FOLDER TITLE:
Sonnenberg, Maurice
Jamie Metrailer
2006-1011-F
· 'm442
RESTRICTION C()DES
Presidential Records Act- [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act- [5 U.S.C. 552(b)J
PI National Security Classified Information [(a)(l) of the PRA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
· financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
PS Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(S) of the PRA]
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(l) National security classified information [(b)(l) of the FOIA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIAJ
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIAJ
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIAJ
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA)
b(9) Release would disclose geologiCal or geophysical information
ells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions. contained in donor's deed
of gift.
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
2201(3).
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
�.
,·
~rt-eonjicfelttittl
DETERMINED TO BE AN
ADMINISTRATiVE MARKING
INITIALS:J.A~~DATE:.l\ft ~IlL
aoofo-(ot( ~r- I
MAURICE SONNENBERG
Candidate for Member (PA)
President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
Mr. Sonnenbergis currently serving on the President's Foreign Intelligence
Advisory Board, the U.S. Comh1ission on Protecting and Reducing Government
Secrecy, and the U.S. Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the U.S.
Intelligence Community. 1 ·
On the. Fairness of Elections in El Salvador
On March 30, 1994, the NEW YORK TIMES published a letter to the editor by
Mr. Sonnenberg. Xn the letter, Mr. Sonnenberg stated, "As a veteran of three United
States official election observer missions to El Salvador, and. as a member of
Presidei1t Clinton's observer delegation in the March 20 election, I take strong
exception to your March 23 editorial, which alleges 'significant instances of fraud.':'
The letter noted that the official Presidential delegation report stated, "We observed
no visibl~ signs of intimid~tion or evidence of fraud. The letter then went on to
explain certain allegations of irregularities and stated that the delegation "took note of
election imperfections that caused delays and confusion, but hone of us could detect
willful incompetence or willful disenfranchisement."
II
Two subsequent letters to the editor, both published in the NEw YORK TIMES
on April ·13, 1994, took issue with Mr. Sonnenberg's letter arguing that there were
significant instances of intimidation and fraud. The letter by Jeffrey L. Bogdan stated
that Mr. Bogdan was a member of the United States observer team .in Chaletenango
City du!·ing the March 20 elections in El Salvador and that the instances of .
intimidation and fraud they observed .included "hundreds of armed, fatigue-clad .
soldiers" lining both sides of the highway between San Salvador and Chaletenango on
the day of the elections causing intimidation, names of voters with voting cards that
mysteriously failed to appear on the official voter registration lists, and attempts to
disenfranchise voters by moving the polling places out of the villages where voters
iived and by allowing people who lived in certain municipalities within the prior
twenty years to vote in the mayoral races in the municipalities. The letter argued
that, while these elections represented a significant advance for the cause of
democracy in El Salvador, they would have been regarded as "blatantly fraudulent" if
they had occurred in the U.S. or in a couritry the U.S. regarded as unfriendly. The
Jetter concluded, "Instead of expressing satisfaction, those concerned about promoting
This is an update of an earlier public record vet written on March 30, 1993.
Please see attached for additional biographical information and issues.
COPY
�- P1 ivilegea and Cvnjiztential
democracy in El Salvador should let the State -Department and their own
representatives in Congress know how important it is that the problems· in the election
process be corrected before the presidential runoff."
The second letter, by Ruth Ford and Roxana Ulloa, stated that Ms. Ford and
Ms. Ulloa were not a part of any delegation, but spoke with votei·s during and after
the election. They wrote, "[W]e wonder if others would herald the results as an
'achievement,' as Maurice Sonnenberg does (letter, March 30), if they had seen and
heard what we did." The letter noted the lack of explanations or organization in the
polling places, the presence of armed forces personnel on the roads and at polling
sites, and problems with the voting cards and electoral rolls. The letter stated, "In
short, when the Salvadoran people turned out to vote, they were met with obstacles
that made the machinations of Tammany Hall look virginal." The letter also
rhetorically asked, '!If there was no fraud in the Salvadoran elections, why were vote
tallies in several jurisdictions greater than the number of inhabitants? Why were
deceased Salvadorans on voting lists, and marked as having voted? What would we
call the situation in San Vicente, when polling officials offered not to finger print a
Solidaridad Party candidate after shy had voted, so that 'you can vote somewhere
else'?" The letter noted that El Salvador had failed to comply with requests to solve
the problems that existed in 1989 and in 1994. The letter then concluded, "If that
doesn't constitute fraud, there must be a new definition of the word that we are not
acquainted with."
Aside from the above, a limited review of the available public record revealed
no information that might bear negatively on Mr. Sonnenberg's candidacy, generate
controversy, or disqualify him from serving as a Member of the President's Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board.
Januar·y 2, 1996
2
..
C.Q. p_y_._
,,
.···
.,
.
·...
�,..
DETERMINED TO BEAN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS:UA.tA_-DATE:· tlftbltt .
·. d. oo~ ~ 1a tl - F r .
MAURICE SONNENBERG
Candidate for Member (P A)
President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
Mr. Sonnenberg is currently serving on· the President's Foreign Intelligence
Advisory Board, the U.S. Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government
Secrecy, and the U.S. Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the U.S.
·
Intelligence Community. 1
On the Fairness of Elections in El Salvador
On March 30, 1994, the NEW YORK TIMES published a letter to the editor by
Mr. Sonnenberg. In the letter, Mr. Sonnenberg stated, "As a veteran of three United
States official election observer missions to El Salvador, and as a member of ·
· President Clinton's observer delegation in the March 20 election, I take strong
exception to your March 23 editorial, which alleges 'significant instances of fraud.'". ·
The letter noted that the official Presidential delegation report stated, "We observed
no visible signs of intimidation or evidence of fraud." The letter then went on to
explain certain allegations of irregularities and stated that the delegation "took note of
electio·n imperfections that caused delays and confusion, but none of us could detect
willful incompetence or willful disenfranchisement."
Two subsequent letters to the editor, both published in the NEw YORK TIMES
on April 13, 1994, took issue with Mr. Sonnenberg's letter arguing that there were
significant instances of intimidation and fraud. The letter by. Jeffrey L. Bogdan stated
that Mr. Bogdan was a member of the United States observer team in Chaletenango
City during the March 20 elections in El Salvador and that the instances of
intimidation and fraud they observed included "hundreds of armed, fatigue-:clad
soldiers" lining both sides of the highway between San Salvador and Chaletenango on
the day of the elections causing intimidation, names of voters with voting cards that
mysteriously failed to appear on the official voter registration lists, and attempts to
disenfranchise voters. by moving the polling place.s out of the villages where •voters
lived and by allowing people who lived in certain mtu1icipalities within the prior
twenty years to vote in the mayoral races in the municipalities. The letter argued
that, while these elections represented a significant advance for the cause of
democracy in El Salvador, they would have been regarded as "blatantly fraudulent" if
they had occurred ·in the U.S. or in a country the U.S. regarded as unfriendly. The
letter concluded, "Instead of expressing satisfaction, those concerned about promoting
This is an update of an earlier public record vet written on March 30, 1993.
Please see attached for additional biographical information and issues.
COPY
�Prifilr:gcd and Confidential -
democracy in El Salvador should let the State Department and their own
representatives in Congress know how important it is that the problems in the election
process be corrected before the presidential runoff."
The second letter, by Ruth Ford and Roxana Ulloa, stated that Ms. Ford and
Ms. Ulloa· were not a part of any delegation, but spoke with voters during ·and after
the election. They wrote, "[W]e wonder if others would herald the results as an
'achievement,' as Maurice Sonnenberg does (letter, March 30), if they had seen and
heard what we did." The letter rioted the lack of explanations or organization in the
polling places, the presence of armed forces personnel on the roads and at polling
sites, and problems with the voting cards and electoral rolls. The letter stated, "In
short, when the Salvadoi·an people turned out to vote, they were met with obstacles
that made the machinations of Tammany Hall look virginal." The letter also
rhetorically asked, "If there was no fraud in the Salvadoran elections, why were vote
tallies in several jurisdictions greater than the number of inhabitants? Why were
deceased Salvadorans on voting lists, and marked as having voted? What would we
call the situation in San Vicente, when polling officials offered not to finger print a
Solidaridad Party candidate after she had voted, so that 'you, can vote somewhere
else'?" The letter noted that El Salvador had failed to comply with requests to solve
the problems that exist~d in 1989 and in 1994. The letter then concluded, "If that
doesn't constitute .fraud, there must be a new definition of the word that we are not
acquaii1ted with."
Aside from the above, a limited review of the available public record revealed
no inforniation that might bear negatively on Mr. Sonnenberg's candidacy, generate
controversy, or disqualify him from serving as a Member of the President's Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board.
·
January 2, 1996
2
COPY
�.
,;,>·•
DETERMINED TO BE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS: ..JAt:LDATE: ttl I teflf
I
I
MAURICE SONNENBERG
Candidate for Member (P A) ·
President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
~"0" -lo[l -(:.
Mr. Sonnenberg is currently serving on the President's Foreign Intelligence
Advisory Board, the U.S. Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government
Secrecy, and the U.S. Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the U.S.
Intelligence Community. 1
On the Fairness of Elections in EI.Salvador
On March 30, 1994, the NEw YORK TIMES published a Jetter to the editor by
Mr. Sonnenberg. In the letter, Mr. Sonnenberg stated, "As a veteran of three United
States official election· observer missions to El Salvador, and as a member of
President Clinton's observer delegation in the March 20 election, I take strong
exception to your March 23 editorial, which alleges 'significant instances of fraud.'"
The letter noted that the official Presidential· delegation report stated, "We ?bserved
no visible signs of intimidation or evidence of fraud." The letter then went on to·
explain certain allegations of irregularities and stated that the delegation "took note of
election imperfections that caused delays and confusion, but none of us could detect
willful incompetence or willful disenfranchisement."
~
Two subsequent letters to the editor, both published ip the NEW YoRK TIMES
on Ap1jl 13, 1994, took issue with Mr. Sonnenberg's letter arguing that there were
significant instances of intimidation and fraud. The letter by Jeffrey L. Bogdan stated
that Mr. Bogdan .was a member of the United .States observer team in Chaletenango
City during the March 20 elections in El Salvador and that the instances<of
intimidation and fraud they observed included "hundreds of armed, fatigue-clad.
soldiers" lining both sides of the highway between San Salvador and Chaletenango on
the day of the elections causing intimidation, names of voters with voting cards that
mysteriously failed to appear ori the official voter registration lists, and attempts to
disenfranchise voters by moving the polling places out of the villages where voters
lived and by allowing people who lived in certain municipalities within the prior
twenty years to vote in the mayoral races in the municipalities. The letter argued
that, while these elections represented a significant advance for the cause of
democracy in El Salvador, they would have been regarded as "blatantly fraudulent" if
they had occurred in the U.S. or in a country the U.S. regarded as unfriendly. The
letter concluded, "Instead of expressing satisfaction, those· concerned about promoting
This is an update of an earlier public record vet written on March 30, 1993.
Please see attached for additional biographical information and issues.
COPY
�,.-- Plivileged tttul Ctmf'identiat--·
democracy in El Salvador should let the State Department and their own
representatives in Congress know how important it is that the problems in the election
process be corrected before the presidential runoff.
II
The second letter, by Ruth Ford and Roxana Ulloa, stated that Ms. Ford and
Ms. Ulloa were not a part of any delegation, but spoke with voters during and after
the election. They wrote, "[W]e wonder if others would herald the results as an
'achievement,' as Maurice Sonnenberg does (letter, March 30), if they had seen and
heard what we did." The letter noted the lack of explanations or organization in the.
polling places, the presence of armed forces personnel on the roads and at polling
sites, and problems with the voting cards and electoral rolls. The letter stated, "In
short, when the Salvadoran people turned out to vote, they were met with obstacles
that made the machinations of Tammany Hall look virginal." The letter also
· rhetorically asked, "If there was no fraud in the Salvadoran elections, why were vote
tallies in several jurisdictions greater than the number of inhabitants? Why were
deceased Salvadorans on voting lists, and marked as having voted? What would we
call the situation in San Vicente, when polling officials offered not to finger print a
Solidaridad Party. candidate after she had voted, so that 'you can vote somewhere
else'?" The letter noted that El Salvador had failed to comply with requests to solve
the problems that existed in 1989 and in 1994. The letter then concluded, "If that
doesn't constitute fraud, there must be a new definition of the word that we are not
acquainted with.
II
Aside from the above, a limited review of the available public record revealed
no information that might bear negatively on Mr. Sonnenberg's candidacy, generate
controversy, or di~qualify him from serving as a Member of the President's Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board.
Januaty 2, 1996
2
COPY
�) 0('
. (;o
DETERMINED TO BE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS:MO._.DAiE: ll-LG,-1/
MAURICE SONNENBERG
Candidate for Member (PA)
President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
~06- (o((
--r=-
Mr. Sonnenberg is currently serving on the President's Foreign Intelligence
Advisory Board, the U.S. Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government
Secrecy, and the U.S. Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the U.S.
Intelligence Community. 1
On the Fairness of Elections in El Salvador
On March 30, 1994, the NEW YORK TIMES published a letter to the editor by
Mr. Sonnenberg. In the letter, Mr: Sonnenberg stated, "As a veteran of three United
States official election observer missions to El Salvador, and as a member of
President Clinton's observer delegation in the March 20 election, I take strong
exception to your March 23 editorial, which alleges 'significant instances of fraud.'" .
Tl1e letter noted that the official Presidential delegation report stated, "We observed
no visible signs of intimidation or evidence of fraud." The letter then went on to
explain certain allegations of irregularities and stated that the delegation "took note of
election imperfections that caused delays and confusion, but none of us could detect
willful incompetence or willful disenfranchisement."
Two subsequent letters to the editor, both published in the NEW YoRK TIMES
on April 13, 1994, took issue with Mr. Sonnenberg's letter arguing that there were
significant instances of intimidation and fraud. The letter by Jeffrey L. Bogdan stated
that Mr. Bogdan was a member of the United States observer ·team in Chaletenango
City during the March 20· elections in El Salvador and that the instances of
intimidation and fraud they observed included "hundreds of armed, fatigue-clad
soldiers" lining both sides of the highway between San Salvador and Chaletenango on
the day of the elections causing intimidation, names of voters with voting cards that
mysteriously failed to appear on the official voter registration lists, and attempts to
disenfranchise voters by moving the polling places out of the villages where voters .
lived and by allowing people who lived in certain municipalities within the prior
twenty years to vote in the mayoral races in the municipalities. The letter argued
that, while these elections represented a significant advance for the cause of
democracy in El Salvador, they would have been regarded as "blatantly fraudulent" if
they had occurred in the U.S. or in a country the U.S. regarded as unfriendly. The
letter concluded, "Instead of expressing satisfaction, those conceni.ed about promoting
This is an updat~ of an earlier public record vet written on March 30, 1993.
Please see attached for additional biographical information and issues.
COPY
I
i
�--Privileg"ell and Confidential
democracy in El Salvador should let the State Department and their own
representatives in Congress know how important it is that the problems in the election
process be corrected before the presidential runoff."
The second Jetter, by Ruth Ford and· Roxana Ulloa, stated that Ms. Fmd and
Ms. Ulloa were not a part of any delegation, but spoke with .voters during and after
the election. They wrote, "[W]e wonder if others would herald the results as an
'achievement,' as Maurice Sonnenberg does (letter, March 30), if they had seen and
heard what we did.". The letter noted the lack of explanations or mganization in the
polling places, the presence of armed forces personnel on the roads and at polling
sites, and problems with the voting cards and electoral rolls. The letter stated, "In
short, when the Salvadoran people turned out to vote, they were met with obstacles
that made the machinations of Tammany Hall look virginal. " The letter also
·rhetorically asked, "If there was no fraud in the Salvadoran elections, why were vote
tallies in several jurisdictions greater than the number of inhabitants? Why were
deceased Salvadorans on voting lists, and marked as having voted?. What would ·we
call the situation in San Vicente, when polling officials offered not to finger print a
Solidaridad Party candidate after she had voted, so that 'you can vote somewhere
else'?" The letter noted that El Salvador had failed to comply with requests to solve
the problems that existed in 1989 and in 1994. The letter then concluded, "If that
doesn't constitute fraud, there must be a new definition of the word that we are not
acquainted with."
Aside from the .above, a limited review of the available public record re~ealed
no information that might bear negatively on Mr. Sormenberg's candidacy, generate
controversy, or disqualify him from serving as a. Member of the President's Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board.
January 2, 1996
2
COPY
j
�Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
AND TYPE
SUBJECTffiTLE
DATE
001. memo
Maurice Irving Sonnenberg. [partial]
002. memo
·o page)
RESTRICTION
08/03/1999
P2,P5
To Charles Ruff from Thomas Marusin.[26 USC 1603] (1 page)
. 04/09/1999
P3/b(3)
003. form
Acknowledgement and Consent Regarding Intent to Nominate or
Appoint. [partial] (1 page)
03/08/1999
P6/b(6)
004. form
Acknowledgement and Consent Regarding Intent to Nominate or
Appoint. [partial] (1 page)
03/31/1999
P6/b(6)
005a. form
Disclosure and Authorization. [partial] (1 page)
03/08/1999
P6/b(6)
005b. form
Duplicate of003. (1 page)
03/08/1999
P6/b(6)
005c. form
Duplicate of004. (1 page)
03/31/1999
P6/b(6)
Personal Data Statement Questionnaire .. (20 pages)
1995
P6/b(6)
006b. report
Attachments for Personal Data Statement Questionnaire. (18 pages)
1995
P6/b(6)
006c. report
Personal Data Statement Questionnaire. (21 pages)
1993
P6/b(6)
· · 006a. report
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Counsel's Office
Jane Schaffuer
OA/Box Number: CF 1639.
FOLDER TITLE:
Sonnenberg, Maurice [2] [1]
Van Zbinden
2006-1011-F
vz844
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act- ]44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act- (5 U.S.C. SS2(b)]
PI
P2
P3
P4
National Security Classified Information ](a)(l) of the PRA]
Relating to the appointment to Federal office ](a)(2) of the PRA]
Release would violate a Federal statute ](a)(J) of the PRA]
Release would disclose trade secrets_ or confidential commercial or
financial information ](a)(4) of the PRA]
PS Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
and his advisors, or between such advisors ]a)(S) of the PRA]
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of ·
perso~al privacy ](a)(6) of the PRA]
b(l)
b(2)
·
b(3)
b(4)
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
of gift.
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
2201(3).
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
b(8)
·
b(9)
b(6)
b(7)
National security classified information [(b)(l) of the FOlA]
Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
an agency ](b)(2) of the FOIA]
Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(J) of the FOIA]
Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
information ](b)(4) of the FOIA] .
Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy ](b)(6) ofthe FOIA]
Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes ](b)(7) ofthe FOIA]
Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
financial institutions ](b)(8) of the FOIA]
Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
ells [(b)(9) of the ~OlA]
�Personnel Information-· Treat Accordingly
MAURICE IRVING SONNENBERG
Candidate for reappointment as Member ofthe
President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
Mr: Sonnenberg is an investment consultant and currently serves as a member of the President's
Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB). 1 A review of the public record revealed the
following articles, which generally concerned fundraising or political contributions: 2
THE NEW YORK TIMES reported on August 6, 1974 that "William R. Burkett, U.S. Attorney in
Okla[homa] City, declares that [a] grand jury investigation into [a] 1970 campaign contribution
to [Oklahoma Governor] David Hall extended neither to [the] conduct of [the] Wall St[reet]
investment firm of Loeb, Rhoads & Co., which -later won [a] lucrative contract, nor to that of
Maurice Sonnenberg, [a New York]indus[trial] consultant who helped Okla[homa] officials
make contact with [the] firm. Burkett said he could not discuss [the] investigation, and described
Sonnenberg as 'very cooperative'. [A] Justice Department soi.rrce added Sonnenberg was
·
'strictly an inteimediary who got Okla[hoina] officials in touch with Loeb Rhoads,' and that no
·impropriety was suggested. Sonnenberg issu[ed] a statement and cites letter [sic] from [the] U.S.
Att[orney] which expresses regret for any problems .... "
·
A March 21, 1984 article in THE NEw YORK TIMES notes that Mr. Sonnenberg, referred to as a .·
leading fundraiser for Senator John Glenn, would be hosting a fundraising party 'for Gary Hart--_
·prior to theNew York Democratic Presidential primary.
THE NATIONAL JOURNAL, in a January 25, 1986 article, states, "Both the Babbitt and Gephardt
camps say they have won the allegiances of Maurice Sonnenberg, a major 1984 fund raiser in
New York for Sen. John Glenn of Ohio, and Chicago commodities dealer and philanthropist
Richard Dennis .... "
A May 7, 1993 issue ofNEWSbA Y cites a source that the new U.S. ambassador to Belgium was ·
going to be [New York] East Side investment banker Alan Blinken. "The 55-year-old Democrat
spent around$ 750,000 in 1990 when he ran for the state Assembly from Manhattan's silkstocking district against Republican John Ravitz. Losing the most expensive district election in
New York City history didn't dampen his ardor. Blinken signed up early with Bill Clinton and
became a charter member of the exclusive club of fund-raisers that included New York swells
1
This memorandum is an update of two earlier vets from March 30, 1993 and January 2, 1996. Information prior to
1996 is nonetheless included when potentially relevant.
2
The following search was used in the Nexis databases News/Allnws, People/Allbio and News/Allabs: (maurice or
maury or m. or maurice i. or maurice irvmg or maury i. or maury irving or m. i. or m. irving) pre/2 sonnenberg or
sonenberg or sonnenburg or sonenburg) and not hockey and not penguin! A separate search for possible issues
related to China was perforined using the following search in News/Allnws: (maurice or maury or m. or maurice i.
or maurice irving or maury i. or maury irving or m. i. or m. irving) pre/2 (sonnenberg or sonenberg or Sonnenburg
or sonenburg) and (sonnenberg or sonenberg or sonnenburg or sonenburg) and (cox or spy! or steal! or stolen or
espionage or chin! or livermore or los alamos) and not "cox communication". Using this search produced a subset
of documents-none of which revealed any problems pertaining to China.
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Dublin Core
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Title
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Previously Restricted Documents
Date
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1993-2001
Description
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<p>This collection contains documents that were previously restricted under the <a href="http://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/laws/1978-act.html" target="_blank">Presidential Records Act</a> for restrictions P2 (appointment to federal office) and/or P5 (confidential advice between the President and/or his advisors and between those advisors). For more information concerning these collections please see the collection finding aids index. The finding aids detail the scope, content, and provide a box and folder title list for each collection.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/laws/1978-act.html" target="_blank">Presidential Records Act (PRA)</a> includes provisions that these types of documents be withheld for twelve years after the end of a president's administration. These documents are now being made available to the public. The documents will be released in batches and will be uploaded here as they become available. The documents will also be available in the Clinton Library’s research room.</p>
<p>Please note the documents in this collection may not contain all the withheld documents listed on the collection's withdrawal sheet index.</p>
Publisher
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William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
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397 folders
Text
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Dublin Core
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Title
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FOIA 2006-1011-F - Maurice Sonnenberg, President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
Identifier
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2006-1011-F
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Previously Restricted Document Release no. 2
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Adobe Acrobat Document
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William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
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Reproduction-Reference