MCGOVERN'S ZIG-ZAG ON BRIEFINGS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000100010021-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 24, 2000
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: August 22, 1972
• Content Type: NSPR

Approved For Release 200pA9 gkbf;I DP75-QQOO
was scheduled during the
week when the nominee was
occupied with the Eagleson
affair and wit h . choosing a
new running mate. Kissin-
ger then suggested another-
date and got the Warlike
nomination in reply.
IT WAS President Nixon's
idea that Kissinger should
brief McGovern at the be-
ginning of the campaign and
that thereafter the job
should ire taken over by. tile'
Central Intelligence Agency
director, Richard Iichns.
Briefings by the CIA have
rrrtvni 22 AUG 1972
SEN. GEORGE Mc-
GOVEIRN is a little bit wor-
.tied about -the effect of his
refusal to accept a briefing
from Henry Kissinger.
McGovern's staff is wor-
ried,' too. They do not want
it to appear that McGovern
is-unwilling to listen to the
facts. But neithei ~ do they
want Kfsssinger or President
Nikon to he able to criticize
McGovern fore campaign
statements, which they
blight allege are based on.
secret briefings.
It was this last reason
which' caused McGovern to
turn down the presidential
offer. If his refusal seems to
evoke a'negative public re-
action; McGovern can still
accept the Kissinger brief-
ing. )\Ie~inwhile, he has des-
igitated .Paul Warlike, for-
merly deputy -to Clark M.
Clifford, President Lyndon
B. Johnson's'- last= secretary
of defense, to accept the
briefing on his behalf.
Circumstances indicate,
however, that )McGovern un-
derwent several changes of
heart about the Kissinger
briefing. Originally, itlc-
Govern'accepted the invita-
tion and a date was set in
his ;Senate office. That had
to be canceled because it
candlidates not in office/)- moral. ]Moreover, he thinks the enemy continues to re
since 1952. In that year,.
CIA's Office of Current. In-
telligence briefed candidates
Dwight l"iscnhower and
Adlai Stevenson. In 1951,
FOIAb3b
precedent of doing the job the war. his terms would be
himself. McGovern's terms, camou-
McGovern's change of flaged no doubt 1i5; lan-
mind about the Kissinger guage. In any event, such a'.
briefing avoided what might move would destroy one of
have been an embarrassing 11IcGovern's principal care-?.
confrontation. It is difficult paign issues and might de-
to imagine Kissinger telling stroy his chance of getting
McGovern about the gttan- elected.
City of bombs dropped on So much for the way Mc-
Vietnam during a given .Govern sees Kissinger. Kis
week without provoking singer, on the other hand,.
i17cGovertt's sense of out, views McGovern as the man
rare. who stands beween himself
The senator from South and a negotiated settlement..
Dakota believes that the . The President's latest terms
Nixon-Kissinger policy of. are the best that have ever
trying to -hammer North been offered. Kissinger ex-
Veitnatn Into accepting their petted North Vietnam to ac
'it will not work.
.IN .ADDITION, he is sus-
picious of Kissinger's fre-
ctuent trips to Paris. 11e sees
the same office briefed Ste- them .as a sign of despera- are acquaintances who see
veiison. In 1900, CIA Direc- tioii. If North Vietttani has each other occasionally in
tor Allen W. Dulles person- knot accepted President Nix-. Washington. But events
ally briefed candidates Rich- on's terms by October, Mc- have made them natural en-
arcs Nixon and Joint Ken- Govern thinks it possible ensues. Each believes that.
nedy. In 1964, Republican that the President and Kis- the other is dead wrong,
candidate Barry Goldwater L'singer will soften their Each believes that the other
declined to be briefed. -But terms, perhaps to the point is secretly plotting his down-,
-the pattern was restored in of tossing South Vietnam's fall. Under the cireum-
1968 for both Hubert Hum- President Thieu overboard. stances, perhaps it is just as
phrey and George Wallace Thus the President could go well that a formal confron-.
though Director helms did /before the electorate having tation will not take place.
trot carry on . the Dulles fulfilled hi$ promise to. end (,)1972 ros Angeles.Tlmes .:,_
Approved For Release 2000/05/23 :' CIA-RDP75-00001 R0001 00010021-3
fuse them is the possibility
that George McGovern will
be elected and offer better:
McGovern and Kissinger