LETTER TO THE HONORABLE EDWARD H. LEVI FROM W. E. COLBY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP77M00144R000600070037-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 30, 2005
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: May 23, 1975
• Content Type: LETTER

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Approved For Release 200IY02VnJc~TOIA-IkI)P7Mbb144R00,060007003
2E& `~~ / -n/ /
The Honorable Edward II., Levi
Attorney General
Department of Justice
Washington, D. C, 20530
This is in response to your letter of May 15, 1975, concurring in my
proposed guidelines for anticipated interviews of employees and ex-employees
of the CIA by attorneys of the Department of Justice in connection with their
investigation of possible violations of Federal criminal statutes by Agency
employees,
I appreciate your recognition of the problems such an investigation may
create in the area of my responsibility to protect intelligence sources and
methods from unauthorized disclosure. While I realize that professional
ethics make it most unlikely that a Department of Justice attorney would
disclose information coming into his possession in the course of this investi-
gation, execution of secrecy agreements by attorneys and any others in the
Department working on this matter will give me added assurance that I have
taken all possible steps to protect the sensitive information that will be dis-
closed to them,
Members of [ t7Cie staffs of 1 Y'?Ull]1T115S1027 On CIA.ACct?IV:~? t?~IeS r~i!l"l WitIn the
'the vUnited States and the Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Opera-
tions with Respect to Intelligence Activities have executed secrecy agreements
at the urging of this Agency. I would appreciate it if the Department would
provide the Agency with copies of executed secrecy agreements by all Depart-
ment employees who have had access to Agency classified information during
the course of these investigations.
With your agreement to the interview procedures which I have suggested,
I believe we have a basis to expect that you will be able to complete your
investigation without undue difficulty caused by the special treatment required
Approved For Release 2006/02/09 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000600070037-2
 Approved For Release 2006/02/09 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000600070037-2
for information relating to intelligence sources and methods. I give you my
personal assurance that the Agency will provide you and your staff with all
possible assistance and cooperation.
Sincerely,
fs/ 1311t
W. E. Colby
Director
OGC: JSW:lsh
Distribution:
Original - Addressee
1-DCI
1 - DDCI
1 - ER via Ex Sec
1 - OGC
1-OLC
1 - IG
1 - Ad Hoc Staff
Approved For Release 2006/02/09 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000600070037-2