LETTER TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE MCGOVERN FROM RICHARD HELMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP73B00296R000300060009-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 17, 2001
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: April 30, 1971
• Content Type: LETTER

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UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL
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PREPARE REPLY
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FORM NO. 237
1-67
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The Honorable George McGovern
United States Senate
Washington, D. C. 20510
My dear Senator McGovern:
This is in response to your letter of 13 April 1971 and to you:
oral request to Mr. John M. Maury. my Legislative Counsel, who
met with you on 29 April 1971 regarding the matter raised in your letter.
The Central Intelligence Agency has never assisted, promoted
or condoned the growth and use of heroin, or any other harmful drug.
On the contrary, wherever possible, we have made every effort to
discourage the growth of such drugs. In certain opium producing areas
these efforts have had at least limited success. This Agency is keenly
aware of the seriousness of the drug problem and in no circumstances
has been or will be a knowing party to drug traffic.
This Agency is cooperating very closely with Government agencies
concerned with this problem, and particularly with the Bureau of Narcotics
and Dangerous Drugs, in suppressing illicit drug traffic originating abroad.
In regard to this problem, the role of this Agency has been primarily one
of active support and we do not pretend an expertise in the problem, which
is the responsibility of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
In Southeast Asia, opium has been grown for centuries and is an
important cash crop of the producers. A significant factor in the opium
problem has been the involvement of local officials in drug traffic. Most
of it, however, is for local consumption and we are informed that only a
vary small portion of the heroin derived therefrom enters the United States.
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 Approved For Release 2001/08/30 : CIA-RDP73B00296R000300060009-4
I am confining my comments solely to those allegations involving
this Agency and not to the broader international and policy aspects which
are not within our limited sphere of responsibility.
I trust that this letter and your recent conversation with Mr. Maury
are responsive to your inquiry. May I reaffirm that the Central Intelligence
Agency shares your concern and, within our areas of responsibility, will
continue to support and assist efforts to cope with this problem in every
way possible.
Sincerely.
Richard Helms
Director
Distribution:
Original .. Addressee
1-DCI
1-DDCI
..1 Ex/Dir
1-ER
I.. DDP
.l > Chief, FE
1 CI Staff
1 < OCI
lit ., OLC
OLC/JMM:jmd (30 Apr 71)
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