LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN CARL DURHAM(Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP63T00245R000100240029-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 23, 2004
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: August 22, 1960
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2005/04/21 : CIA-RDP63T00245R000100240029-3
T UNIVERSITY OF NORJ'!-i CAROLC IA
CHAPEL HILL
The School of Medicine
fepartent of Surgery
August 22, 1960
Congressman Carl Durham
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
Dear Congressman Dais= :
Although it may be that others shams the responsibility of the situation in
which Francis Powers and the United States now find themselves, following
the trials in Moscow concerning the U-2 plane, it still seems to me we
should investirAtesrether or not it is proper, as the newspaper says
this morning, for Mr. Powers to continue to receive thirty thousand
dollars a year during his imprisonment. The news went on to spy that Mr.
Powers feared that he would face prosecution on returning to this country,
but that our country has assured him that he wwil.l, not be tried. Is It
possible-that Mr. Powers had a guilty conscience? Is it not possible
that our soft attitude will make it easy for others in our foreign service
to defect to the Russians? Is it that important for this country to compete
with the Russians along such lines of kindness toward this man? Out of
the difficulty, the Russians obtained, relatively undamaged, a plane
whose design they had not previously had; and the pilot put out an awl
lot of information, which I understand is not necessary under the Inter-
national code. Does this not make it easier for our fighters to become
equally soft and ready to sacrifice their country for their skin at
the moment? I am sure we have had greater heroes in the past.
If I am being too rash, then just disregard, these Ideas; but if you have
a moment, I'd like to hear your ideas on the subject, since I am sure
you know so much more of the details.
Sincerely yours,
STAT
Approved For Release 2005/04/21 : CIA-RDP63T00245R000100240029-3