MR. COLBY'S MEETING BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN POLICY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00793R000300160011-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 27, 2005
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: November 19, 1973
• Content Type: MFR

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SUBJECT: Mr. Colby's Meeting Before the Commission on the
Organization of the Government for the Conduct of
Foreign Policy
1. Mr. Colby, accompanied by John Warner, met with the
subject Commission today at 9:30 a.m.; the meeting continued
through 12:45 p.m. Members present were:
Robert D. Murphy, Chairman
William J. Casey
Mrs. Anne Armstrong
Dr. David M. Abshire
William S. Maillaird
Dr. Stanley P. Wagner
Dr. Arend D. Lubbers
Mike Mansfield
Mrs. Charles W. Englehard, Jr.
Frank C. R. McGlinn
Staff members present were:
Francis O. Wilcox, Executive Director
Fisher Howe, Deputy Director
William B. Spong, General Counsel
Thomas J. Reckford, Staff Assistant on Intelligence
Gloria Adams, Secretary
2. After welcoming Mr. Colby, Mr. Murphy suggested he
might wish to discuss security aspects. Mr. Colby then discussed
classification, compartmentation and the reasons for both. Mr.
Murphy indicated it is hoped that it would be possible to sanitize
the transcript. Mr. Colby indicated he would try.
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3. Since there is a transcript, I will not attempt to cover
the entire range of subjects. There was considerable discussion
of covert actions and of policy approval for covert actions. Dr.
Abshire made reference to the current procedure whereby State
weekly offers to brief all members of Congress but only about 30
show up. Dr. Abshire suggested this process could be improved
in order that members of Congress would be better informed. Mr.
Colby stated he has been considering the same problem and was
looking to possibly a weekly briefing but only for members of the
Armed Services. Possibly this idea could be expanded.
4. Senator Mansfield was present for a substantial period
of the time and raised a number of specific questions, generally
having to do with the Agency itself, such as our role in Laos,
allegations of drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle, ownership
of Air America, Mr. Colby's thoughts on a joint committee for
intelligence and other such matters.
5. In response to one question, Mr. Colby pointed out
that it would be extremely helpful if we had stronger criminal
laws to deter disclosure of classified information. He mentioned
the Marchetti situation where we were able to get a civil injunction
but that if Marchetti had published ahead of time, we probably
could not have taken any criminal action. Mr. Colby also men-
tioned at one point the possible amendments to the National
Security Act of 1947 relating to inserting the word "foreign"
before "intelligence" wherever it appears.
6. Mr. Wilcox inquired of Mr. Colby whether he had any
recommendations to improve the functioning of the community to
better serve policymakers. Mr. Colby said he did not have any
recommendations for major adjustments but that he would con-
sider this matter. Later in the car returning, Mr. Colby felt
possibly we should address a response to this and it was agreed
we would attempt to draft something for him. Also, we could
include in this letter more specific reference to improved
criminal laws and amendments to the National Security Act of
1947.
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The transcript
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I 140W
will be under Agency security control at all times until final delivery
at the PFIAB offices.
8. The level of knowledge and understanding varied tremen-
dously among the various members of the Commission. The ques-
tions by Mansfield, Murphy and Abshire reflected their greater
knowledge and understanding of the intelligence positions. Many of
the questions from the others were elementary. Nevertheless, they
would get on the record with many fundamental factors involving
money, personnel and relationships of the community with the policy- 25X1A
makers and CIA's relationships with the other intelligence components.
cc: DCI
DCI/IC /Comptroller
OLC
OHN . WARNER
A ting eneral Counsel
OGC:JSW:sin
Original - OGC Subj: Liaison-Governmental
1 - Chrono
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