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cease (a Se ne ) “\ ‘UNITED, STATES GC_ RNMENT t Rornonas rom no. 10 f . 1 ‘allahan , Memorandum + ; wy v 1 Ext. Affoirs _ TO: Mr. W. R. Wannariwe d= Gan hen : ene, 1 , y) FROM @ 1 pect , i Legel Coun. — sony avo } BAPBOM is the code word for the case involving the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alab 9/16/63. ~ rs Purpose of this memorandum is to recommend actio regarding a request from the mayor of Birmingham, Rayid/Vann, i aa ed To Feview FEI files regarding captioned case, phe By memorandum dated 12/22/75 (copy of Same and its ; enclosure attached for ready reference) you were advised Mayor Vann, through our Birmingham Office, requested permission to conduct above-mentioned file review. He stated recent Congressione hearings raised the issue of local law enforcement efforts in Birmingham dwing racial incidents in early 1960s and he felt above file review might provide him with a more thorough under- standing in that regard. He was told information from FBI files could only be released with approval of the Department of Justice and that his request would be forwarded to the Department. By memorandum 1/13/76 the Civil Rights Division advis in effect that decision as to release of information would be _- left to the Burean. ; You will recall that at the present time our Birnsnetie Office is, with Departmental authorization, furnishing certain information from its files in captioned case to William—d-—Baxtey, Attorney General, State of Alabama, in connection with investigatio presently being conductéd by him in captioned matter. Inasmuch as phe yanking law enforcenent officer of the State is presently inquiring into @, in effect, assuming local investigative jurisdiction, would appear improper for the FBI to furnish y ne osures ~ Sendi-as-70.., ZF 0 a ee Encl !-a3-7 ex io4 REC-3 2 nts 157-1025 We" 1 - 149-1684 CONTINUED - O¥ER a e“1976° epoT se a6 / Z ~ Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan sord~08