WHITE HOUSE REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO THE "COHERENT SPECTRUM SHAPER"

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01474449
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2017
• Case Number: F-2007-00094
• Publication Date: January 2, 1974

Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01474449
ka-4,
(b)(3)
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
OLC 74-0012
2 January 1974
SUBJECT: White House Request for Access to the "Coherent Spectrum
Shaper"
1. This morning the Director received a call from Fred Buzhardt,
Special Counsel to the President, asking for the Agency's assistance through
the loan of a Coherent Spectrum Shaper and an operator for use on some
White House tapes. (The inference was that the machine would be used on
tapes which were currently not an issue between the courts, the Ervin
Committee, and the Special Prosecutor.) The Director told Mr. Buzhardt
he would look into the possibility and call him back.
2. The Director then met with Messrs. Duckett, Warner, and Cary
to discuss certain of the technical aspects of the use of this machine along
with the legal and political considerations involved. Mr. Duckett said the
machine and an operator could be provided if it was decided that this should
be done. He did, however, raise some questions as to whether the machine
which Mr. Buzhardt had requested was in fact what was needed. There are
several other machines that might do a better job, depending on the nature
of the problem.
3. Mr. Cary pointed out that the loan of such equipment and an
operator would surely become known and in view of our experiences with
our congressional committees posed a problem. The potential for press
distortion of such assistance to the White House is virtually limitless.
All agreed, however, that there was nothing basically improper in our pro-
viding this assistance to the White House so long as nothing was done to
distort the tape. Mr. Duckett pointed out it was possible to use the Spectrum
Shaper without the operator actually listening to the tape.
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01474449
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01474449
(r7 "*FETT'w7r
4. Mr. Colby called Mr. Buzhardt back at about 9:45 this morning
and made the following points:
a. We would be willing to make the machine available,
preferably outside CIA buildings.
b. We would recommend that someone other than a CIA
employee operate the machine. Mr. Mark Weiss, who was
engaged by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
in connection with the Watergate tapes, and Mr. Howard
Rosenblum, of NSA, were suggested.
c. Any CIA involvement with White House tapes obviously
would raise some serious problems.
d. The Coherent Spectrum Shaper may not be the solution
to the problem.
e. In view of the Director's responsibilities to the Chairmen
of the CIA Subcommittees, he would have to advise Chairman
Nedzi and either Chairman Stennis or Senator Symington that this
assistance was being given the White House,
5. Mr. Buzhardt was reluctant to use Mr. Mark Weiss, or anyone
else who had participated in the work on White House tapes for the Court,
but he plans to talk to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger about the use of
Mr. Rosenblum.
Legislative Counsel
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01474449