To accomplish the difficult task of collecting foreign intelligence so that U. S. policy-makers can make informed judgments at home requires protection against unauthorized disclosure of the identities of our secret agents. Legislation making such disclosure a criminal offense is languishing in Congress. The July terrorist attack on the home of a senior U.S. embassy official in Kingston. Jamaica, should serve as a sharp reminder for lawmakers to get the measure enacted. The residence of Richard Kinsman in Jamaica was attacked by submachine gun fire and an explosive device shortly after an American co-editor of a periodical. “Covert Action Information Bulletin” allegedly provided addresses. unlisted phone numbers and automobile identification information data on CIA personnel at a press conference. Luckily, Kinsman was not injured and his wife and children were away at the time. The incident recalled the assassination by gunmen of Richard Welch. CIA chief in Athens. Greece. Dec. 23. 1975 – within a month of the time he was identified in an Athens newspaper. The information for the news story came from a publication. “Counterspy Magazine.'” according to Sen. John H. Chafee. RR.I. who recently appealedin the Senate for passage of a lawicracking down on the practice on naming intelligent agents. “lt is difficult for us here in this country to visualize what it must be like to see anti-American hysteria and violence stirred up” through vicious acts of persons who reveal identities. the senator said. “The helplessness and frustration which these Americans and their families must feel are beyond my abilities to describe.” It has been necessary to relocate at least six American families from Jamaica because it is impossible for them to continue, Chafee said. Appeals for legislative action have been made recently in the House of Representatives by Rep. Edward J. Derwinski, RIll. and Rep. Jim Wright, D-Tex. “A nation which cannot protect its own dries up its sources of information and becomes the object of international ridicule,” said Wright. Proposed laws are before both the House and Senate – H.R. 56l5 and S. 2216. Hearings already have been conducted. Congress should complete the job now and enact astrong measure that will give our secret agents the support they need and thwart those who would impair and impede dulyauthorized intelligence operations.