CIA ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP75B00514R000200090006-0
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
4
Document Creation Date: 
December 15, 2016
Document Release Date: 
September 11, 2003
Sequence Number: 
6
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
April 21, 1972
Content Type: 
MF
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP75B00514R000200090006-0.pdf214.28 KB
Body: 
Annroved For Release 2003/12/18 - CIA=RDR75g~00f100008=~ 21 APR 1972 DD/S&T# actor tor intemsence Deputy Director for Plans Support for for Science and Technology independent tficea (For Distribution to Level Only) 1. From time to time sonic of our employees express concern over various allegations or rumors of CIA activities in the United States. The attached Memeraudam, is designed to clarify this subject so that super - visors can authoritatively reply to any employees indicating such concern. It is a a tement of tho facts of the situation. U incidents or activities are reported which appear to conflict with this statement, they should be re- ported to appropriate senior authority for resolution (or correction If un- authorised activities might have occurred). Z. Because of the possible sensitivity of this description of the Agency's methodology. this memssandnm is not being given the usual broad circulation of the "F Yi - - Allegations and Answer all series. Office and Division Chiefs are urged, however, to use it to inform branch Chiefs so that its p inU can be readily availabl, to supervisor a to react to express - miens of employee concern. Is/ W. E. Colby W. F. Colby rec ,ve Director-Comptroller Approved For Release 2001kTCIA-RDP7 Approved For Release 2003/12/18 : CIA-RDP75B00514R000200090006-0 21 April 1972 ALLEGATION: In a variety of ways it has been alleged that CIA is working within the United States, with particular attention to extremist groups. FACTS: 1. Section 102 of the National Security Act of 1947, subparagraph D3, states, "The Agency shall have no police, subpoena, law-enforcement powers, or internal security functions. " In his speech to the American Society of Newspaper Editors on 14 April 1971, the Director stated: "I can assure you that except for the normal responsibilities for protecting the physical security of our own personnel, our facilities, and our classified information, we do not have any such powers and functions; we have never sought any; we do not exercise any. In short, we do not target on American citizens. " In the Director Is "State of the Agency" speech to employees on 17 September 1971, he said: "I gave a talk to the American Society of Newspaper Editors last winter, as you know, and I did it for only one purpose. That was to try and put in the record a few of these denials that we've all wanted to see put in the public record for some time. And you can rely on those denials. TheyYre true, and you can use that as any text that you may need to demonstrate that we're not in the drug traffic, and that we're not trying to do espionage on American citizens in the United States, and we're not tapping telephone lines, and that were not doing a lot of other things which we're accused of doing. One of the things that tends to perpetuate some of these silly ideas are jokes that are made about them, particularly about domestic espionage. Although the jokes have no basis in fact they nevertheless give us a name which we don't deserve. I don't say that that makes all that much difference, but it does make some difference, and this tends to spill over, so I would like to suggest that if you have it in your hearts to do so that you speak up when the occasion arises and try and set the facts straight. " Approved For Release 2003/1.2/18 qlA-RDP75B00514R000200090006-0 Approved For Release 2003/12/18 : CIA-RDP75B00514R000200090006-0 2. From time to time some employees have been concerned that Agency activities might conflict with these statements. They can be assured that Agency activities do not. For clarification, some activities which may have been subject to misunderstanding are listed as follows: 25X1 25X1 25'X1 b. Security Investigations. Security investigations are con- ducted on prospective employees, contractors, and consultants, and on security problems which arise. These investigations in- volve a wide range of investigative procedures, including neighbor- hood inquiries, checks with other Government agencies, review of credit reports, and interviews with former ensployt.._?s and business associates. This is essential to assure that our personnel possess a high degree of personal integrity, sense of responsibility, and competence and to protect classified information and sensitive in- telligence sources and methods. The resulting files are held sep- arately by the Office of Security and are not merged with other Agency files. d. Recruitment. CIA recruiters maintain a wide variety of contacts within the United States, assisting individuals interested in employment with CIA to learn more about it and to join its em- ployee force. Approved For Release 2003/12/18 : CIA-RDP75B00514R000200090006-0 -2- rr~ Approved For Release 2001ti'Z/1t8 k CIA-RDP75B00514R000200090006-0 f. Operations. The 1967 Katzenbach Committee report was approved by the Director in March 1967 and is binding on any of our relations with American organizations today. It specifically prohibits covert financial assistance or support, direct or indirect, to any U. S. educational or private voluntary organization. Any relationship or operation the Agency has with an American organi- zation must be and is within these guidelines. g. Details or Loans. On rare occasions, details of technically qualified CIA. personnel, technical advice, or loans of CIA equip- ment have been made available to other U. S. agencies at their request to assist them to carry out their responsibilities. I h. Counterintelli ence,and Drugs. To carry out its responsi- bilities for counterintelligence, CIA is interested in the activities of foreign nations or intelligence services aimed at the U. S. To the extent that these activities lie outside the U. S. , including activ- ities aimed at the U. S. utilizing U. S. citizens or others, they fall within CIA's responsibilities. Responsibility for coverage of the activities within the U. S. lies with the FBI, as an internal security function. CIA's responsibility and authority are limited to the foreign intelligence aspect of the problem, and any action of a law enforce- ment or internal security nature lies with the FBI or local police forces. (CIA's assistance to the U. S. Government program against narcotics and drugs is handled in the same fashion. ) Approved or Release - - -3-