LETTER TO HONORABLE LES ASPIN FROM JOHN M. MAURY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00380R000100020089-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 20, 2003
• Sequence Number: 89
• Publication Date: March 16, 1972
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2004/01/14: CIA-RDP75B0038OR000100020089-6
OLC 72-0343
16 MAR 1972
Honorable Lee Aspin
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Mr. Aspin:
This is in response to your request during our telephone
conversation on 9 March that I put in writing my explanation of our
procedures regarding congressional briefings. As I commented at
that time, it is my understanding that under Committee policy briefings
of the type in question desired by individual members should be
obtained through Committee channels or with the Chairman's approval.
Since our phone conversation I have mentioned your request to
Chairman Hebert who recalls that Mr. Helms discussed Soviet naval
matters during his last appearance before the Committee (on 8 February).
The Chairman suggests that you might want to review the transcript of
that testimony which is available to members in accordance with
Committee procedures.
In view of the fact that your 7 March letter to Mr. Helms raises
certain questions which were not discussed in Mr. Helms' testimony
before the Committee, we are preparing some additional material for
inclusion in the Committee records which we hope will be responsive to
certain of your questions.
I hope that you will find this arrangement satisfactory.
STATINTL Sincerely,
Distribution:
Original - Addressee
1 - Subject
- Chrono
John M. Maury
Legislative Counsel
OLC/JMM:mmc (15 March 1972) CRC, 10/22/2003
Approved For Release 2004/01/14: CIA-RDP75B0038OR000100020089-6
 Approved For Release 2004/01/14: CIA-RDP75B00380R000100020089-6
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
OLC 72-0342
9 March 1972
SUBJECT: Representative Les Aspin's Request for Briefing
on Soviet Naval Matters
1. This morning I called Mr. Aspin in response to his 7 March
letter to the Director requesting a briefing on Soviet naval policy (see
attached).
2. I told Mr. Aspin that in accordance with rules laid down by
the Chairman o.f.the House Armed Services Committee such requests
should be funneled through the Committee. He said "what business is
it of the Chairman, you mean you don't do anything for individual
Congressmen?" I said of course we did brief individual Congressmen
but in matters of this kind we did so in response to requests coordinated
with the Committee. He said "If I was not on the Committee then the
Chairman would not have any jurisdiction. " I said the Agency's relations
with Congress were still controlled by our Congressional oversight
committees. He said "I don't want to know anything about CIA and its
operations. " I said nevertheless the Chairman had given instructions
that briefings be coordinated with the Committee. He said "The Chairman
has no right to lay down a rule like that. " In closing he asked me for
my name which I gave him.
3. About ten minutes later he called back to ask me to put in
writing what I had told him. I said I would see what we could do but
reminded him the rules were not ours but those of the Chairman. He
said "Yes, but you are the one who told me of the policy so I want you
to confirm this in writing. " I said I didn't know whether I would or not
but I would tell the Director of his request.
STATINTL
JOHN M. MAURY
egislative Counsel
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