IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

         
___________________________________
STEVEN AFTERGOOD                   )
     Plaintiff,     		   )
                                   )	Case No. 02-1146 (RMU)
v.                                 )
                                   )
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY        )
Washington, DC 20505               )
     Defendant.                    )
___________________________________)

DEFENDANT'S STATUS REPORT AND
CONSENT MOTION FOR ENTRY OF A BRIEFING SCHEDULE

Defendant, the Central Intelligence Agency ("CIA" or "Agency"), respectfully submits this status report.

INTRODUCTION

This is an action under the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") brought pro se by plaintiff Steven Aftergood. Pursuant to FOIA, plaintiff requested disclosure of certain classified intelligence information. His request for that information, the aggregate U.S. intelligence budget total for fiscal year 2002, was denied by defendant. Plaintiff subsequently filed suit. Defendant timely filed its answer on July 15, 2002, without having sought any enlargement. The Court subsequently entered, at defendant's suggestion, an order requiring defendant to submit a status report on February 19, 2003.

CURRENT POSTURE

We are making significant progress in preparing to move for summary judgment. Agency employees have drafted proposed classified and unclassified declarations that will support defendant's summary judgment motion and are submitting them to senior Intelligence Community officials for review, comment, and approval. The preparation of these declarations is a time-consuming process, involving review and coordination among a number of affected subject matter and classification experts.

FUTURE PROCEEDINGS

Defendant is working diligently to move for summary judgment. CIA will file a motion for summary judgment by 20 March 2003. We have consulted with plaintiff, and the parties have agreed upon a briefing schedule as follows: Defendant shall file a motion for summary judgment on or before 20 March 2003; Plaintiff shall file his opposition on or before April 28, 2003; Defendant shall file its reply on or before May 30, 2003. Accordingly, defendant respectfully moves for entry of a briefing schedule reflecting these dates. Plaintiff has consented to the entry of such an order. A proposed order reflecting these dates is attached.

Dated: February 19, 2003.