REPLY LETTER RE CIA ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN ASSASSINATIONS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Records Related to the Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy
• Collection: Records Related to the Assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00429278
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: June 6, 2025
• Document Release Date: June 12, 2025
• Publication Date: July 14, 1968

104-10104-10404 V \JUL U1DJflL. It\-C, IN IN 1-S.JJ.t-IJJ.1.1\11-1 IN - GARRISON OGC 68-1343 .0110:0*. 24 July 1968 Mrs. Charles M. Hilborn 151-40, 88th Street Howard Beach, Queens, New York 11414 Dear Mrs. Hilborn: The Director of Central Intelligence has asked me to answer your letter of July 19, 1968. I assure you that the Central Intelligence Agency was not involved in any way, directly or indirectly, in the assassina- tion of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, or Reverend Martin Luther King. It is my view that those who spread charges and rumors about CIA's alleged involvement in these heinous crimes are doing a grave disservice to our country. On May 14, 1964, Mr. John A. McCone, then the Director of Central Intelligence, gave sworn testimony before the Chairman and members of the Warren Commission. That testimony appears on pages 120-129 of Volume V of the Com- mission's report. The following is quoted from Mr. McConet testimony: "In a form of affidavit, I have gone into the matter in considerable detail personally, in my inquiry with the appropriate people within the Agency, examined all records in our files re- lating�to Lee Harvey Oswald. We had knowledge of him, of course, because of his having gone to the Soviet Union as he did, putting him in a situation where his name would appear in our name APPROVED FOR REIRSE 1993 CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM file. However1 my examination has resulted in the conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald was not an agent, employee, or informant of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Agency never contacted him, interviewed him, talked with him, or received or solicited any reports or information from him, or communicated with him directly or in any other manner. The Agency never furnished him with any funds or money or compensated him directly or indirectly in any fashion. and Lee Harvey Oswald was never associated or connected directly or indirectly in any way whatsoever with the Agency. When I use the term 'Agency' I mean the Central Intelligence Agency, of course." This testimony, given by Mr. McCone about Lee Harvey Oswald, applies in every particular to those persons who have been named in the press as accused of the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the Reverend Martin Luther King. I have no basis for speculation as to the motives or purposes of those who have falsely asserted that there was or is any connection between the Central Intelligence Agency and Lee Harvey Oswald, James Earl Ray. or Sirhan Sirhan. False charges have often been levelled against the CIA and other components of our government, for a variety of possible reasons. Instead I should like to thank you for your letter and for the concern which it expresses, a concern that we of CIA deeply share. I wish to assure you, without reservation of any kind, that this Agency is engaged in the defense of freedom, not in its suppression. Sincerely. s/ Lawrence R. Houston General Counsel PERSONAL Originator-CI Staff/Mr. Rocca DISTRIBUTION: 2-General Counsel w/incoming 0-Addressee via D/Security 1-DCIw/copy of incoming 2 1-DDP w/copy of incoming 1-Asst to DCl/ 1-D/Security w/copy of incoming 1-CI w/copy of incoming M4. Goodwin w/copy 01 mco