DISCUSSION WITH ED BRASWELL RE: LAOS CEILING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74B00415R000300210020-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 8, 2001
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: July 14, 1972
• Content Type: MFR

10 Approved For Release 2006/09/25 : CIA-RDP74B00415R000300210020-0
SECRET
OLC 72-0805
14 July 1972
SUBJECT: Discussion with Ed Braswell re Laos Ceiling
1. This afternoon.1 OPPB, and I discussed the above
matter with Ed Braswell, Chief Counsel, Senate Armed Services Committee.
We said we were confused as to the basis of the decision to cut the Laos
ceiling fro We said that such a cut might
well seriously impair the entire U. S. program in Laos for FY 1973. In
responding, Braswell made the following points:
a. The Committee has reported out the Defense Procurement
Authorization bill wit Symington ceiling for Laos.
b. This figure was proposed by Senator Symington and
accepted by the Committee with the full understanding that it
was to cover all Laos war-related expenditures including both
military and economic aid, i. e. , as substituted
for the original request fo proposed by the Adminis-
tration.
c. Braswell confided that the Committee's problem was that
nobody in the Administration seemed able or willing to speak up
clearly on the importance of a higher ceiling. He also complained
that the Defense Department had not been candid with the Committee.
in presenting its figures.
EXEMPT FROM OENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
OF E. 0. 11652, VIMPTION CATEGORY:
? 50(1), (2), (3) or (4) (circle one or more)
AU1'Oi;i:1T C ALLY ELLASCiFiE3 ON
SECRET
Approval of DCI
---------------------------------------
(unless impossible, insert date or event)
Appruved For Release /25 : CIA-RDP74BOO
25X1A
25X1A
 Approved For Release 2006/09/2: EFj74B00415R000300210020-0
d. In these circumstances, Braswell saw no hope that
anyone in the Committee would be willing to reopen the matter
on the floor and push for a higher ceiling. He did comment,
however, that if we wanted to pursue this possibility the place
to start would be to try to persuade Symington himself to recon-
sider and accept a higher ceiling.
e. When asked the possibility of getting the ceiling raised
in conference, Braswell said he couldn't predict anything in this
regard.
f. Braswell repeated several times that the real problem was
that there was "no one in charge" of the Laos problem--DOD
doesn't seem particularly interested and the State Department has
been ambivalent. On another occasion he commented that "the
Administration is hiding" on Laos.
g. Braswell voiced the personal opinion that the Administration
could "live with" ceiling since its earlier requests 25X1A
had been inflated.
2. In conclusion, Braswell said that the only other course open to 25X1A
us was _to try. to get the White House to make a strong pitch to the Congress.
JOHN M. MAURY
Distribution:
Original - Subject
1-'DCI
1 - DDCI
1 - Ex/Dir
1 - DDP
1- OPPB
1- FE
1- OLC
1 - SAVA
Legislative Counsel
Approved For Release 2006/09/25 : 8/Wjf4f00415R000300210020-0