PASSAGE OF INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE POWERS/ABEL EXCHANGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP64B00346R000100170064-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 19, 2003
• Sequence Number: 64
• Publication Date: February 12, 1962
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2004/02/24: CIA-RDP64B00346R000100170064-7
OCC 62-0271
12 February 1962;
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Passage of Information with Respect to the Powers/Abel
Exchange
1. In addition to calls listed in the Memorandum for the
Record dated 10 February 1962, there were two other calls.
2. On 5 February I personally met with Robert Smart, Chief
Counsel of Mouse Armed Services Committee. Indicating that negotiations
were actively under way for a Powers/Abel exchange? I informed him
that the release of Abel had been approved at the highest laved if the
Soviets would release Powers. I also in .44-6-1 thaLt efforts ere being
made to secure in addition the release - ut that STAT
the approval of the release of Abel was con one on e r ease of
Powers and anything else was simply bona*. Smart was requested to
give this information to Representative Vinson which subsequently he
informed me he had done.
3. On the same day I saw William Darden of the Senate Armed
Services Committee staff and went through the same exercise and he
later informed me that he had advised Senator Russell.
4. Late in the day on 9 February, I indicated to Smart that it
looked like the efforts were going to be successful and that it would
probably happen over the weekend. Smart advised that Vinson was in
Georgia. We discussed whether or not he should telephone Mr. Vinson
and Smart thought this was unnecessary since in their discussion Mr.
Vinson had himself speculated that this might occur while he was in
Georgia. 'T'herefore. Smart felt a further call was not necessary.
OGC Has ReviAved For Release 2004/02/24: CIA-RDP64B00346R000100170064-7
 Approved For Release 2004/02/24: CIA-RDP64B00346R000100170064-7
ing immediately to advise Senator ltussell.
S. Also late in the days on 9 February, I advised William
Darden that it looked like the efforts were going to be successful
with arrangements completed over the weekend. He told me he was
JOHN S. WARNER
lative Counsel
OGC/LC:JSW:mka
Orig - DCI
1 - Powers File
I - Chrono. OGC/ LC
1 - CIA Sub of House Armed Services
,/?1 - CIA Sub of Senate Armed Services
Approved For Release 2004/02/24: CIA-RDP64B00346R000100170064-7