REPORTS SAY CIA HAS OKAY FOR EUROPEAN ANTI-RED ACTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78M02660R000300040058-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 6, 2005
• Sequence Number: 58
• Publication Date: December 26, 2000
• Content Type: NSPR

By LEO RENNERT - So far, outlays for the' . western, ~ the .matter because they are pledged
+
.
an
has obligation to Strengthen,
democratic?:forces . in'Italy and .other'.
parts' of :we?tern.:Europe,, where,
have: prompted strong criticism in
high. government: circles and could
engulf:theFord Administration in the
intervention in Angola:', ,i
.Critics maintain that. the western
European operation is .bound to be
counter-productive because, when"its
cover inevitably, is . blown, Com-
denouacin;:-t:taii .:politicaj;=oppoiletits
The net effect, according to this
view; will be to strengthen Corn
munist groups and to isolate the U.S.
from traditional European friends
who will resent external interference
in their domestic political process.
"It could be. another disaster like
the destabilization stuff.tve pulled in
Chile," said one critic.
The CIA refused to confirm or deny
its new . involvement in "'western
European , domestic - politics. A
spokesman- said the. agency never
comments on covert activities but
added: "Whatever we do is. in total
compliance with the law."
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Approved For Release 2005/01/27 : CIA-RDP78MO266OR000300040058-9
Intelligence Agency has, received a source reported.
go-ahead to provide covert assistance CIA Director William Colby, it was . wouldn't'-teII you," said House
to non-Communists political groups iii`, learned', has briefed several key Majority Whip John McFall. of
Western Europe, according to congressional panels but lawmakers Cai;fornia, ' who serves on the CIA
1
icClatchy Newspapers Stair Writer. European project are at a.level blow :.to secrecy ` '
WASHINGTON ' . The, Central o ' a n ?' 0=0
Thc?jaroject, reminiscent of massive o Ucn x 0 a -C Jr. v x 0 "o 0
o a ar
War II, is believed to'have Teen or-
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'0 Cd
Kissinger. c ? o ~.w aY o? 0 a C.o m
According t0one SourcO:T{issingcr 02 tr.
o o v'Y ?'
has been deeply troubled by ? Com- "' 0 NA Ym 0.0 x is y " co ? 0 d `~ G ~ N a'
x. o?> ov,
munist Inroads in Portugal and y ?: ` Jr. m N o
U b0... P, U L. ,n tl [n a~ ?~ c0 0 ? a , .. CAS
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muscle-flexing by leftists, in Spain .10- o T N c v W
following the . death of - Francisco. o .~ " ? Ca 0 ? l~ 0
Franco. ~ Ty ?~' ?.' aUi 3 o 0 d to d oo c
Based on these. concerns,,it is sai a ?)
CO ~r.," o :~ .0 .0.0 c SI ca , O
d, co
O N .O O U
Kissint;er,'apparently -feels the U
~ p; A
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 Approved For Release 2005/01/27 : CIA-RDP78MO266OR000300040058-9
By LEO RENNERT So far, outlays for the. western' the matter,because they are pledged
w
l
e
,..to secrecy. t
l b
o
1'1cClatchy Newspapers Staff Wrriter. European project are at a.lev
WASHINGTON = The Central.,=the $25.million "spent in Ankola;?one "I don't know and if. did know, I
Intelligence Agency has received a :source reported.
go-ahead to provide covert assistance CIA Director William Colby, it was wouldn't'_*_- tell* you," said House
to non-Communists political groups in ??: ? learned; ' has briefed several key Majority Nl%ip John McFall. of
? Western ? .Europe, according to ,in-' corir ressienal panels but lawmakers California, who serves on the CIA
formed sources: in the know are reluctant to discuss See Back Page, A12, 1601. 1
The -CIA's assignment reportedly
t ? . has asone;of its prime targets Italy;;
wi~ere Conm1unists appere ta' bo A AA 6 n vo Ive o
gain;.ngpolitical strength.:: .
The project, :reminiscentof massit#e
undercover aid extended by'the U.S.
to anti-Communist labor groups and
ether organ nations right after World
War II, is believed to 1iavc'been or-
dered by 'Secretary, p#'Sfate.I?ieriry'.
Kissinger.
According to one source,:1{issinger.
has been deeply troubled by. Com-
munist Inroads in Portugal and
muscle-flexing by leftists; in Spain:
following thee. death of- Francisco
Franca. .
Based on.these_ concerns. it is-said..
Kissinger..-apparently feels the'- U.S
has -an obligation - strengthen."
democratic. forces . in. Italy and other .;
parts' of weiitern Europe where;-
Communists are on"the ascendancy: :'. remarked. "=" == when Ccngress returns next month to
However, the; CIA- plans . already --And even-if we 'were: successful.`-. .-change present procedures which
have. prompted. strong criticism in' .let's say in a place like Italy, we'd lose keep most lawmakers in the darn
high :government =circles. and could every other country in . Europe about CIA operations. and ; prevent,
engulf: the Ford, Administration in the a' :because of our clumsy interference those with some knowledge ?fr`om1
same type of controversy as- its secret "Why, if we're going to proceed on speaking out when they feel the
intervention in:Angola: -'this course, let's have the Tories in agency has embarked on the wrong
.Critics.. maintain that the. western F.n-land contribute money to Ronald course.
.uropean operation. is oouna to De
counter-productive because, when'its
cover ?- inevitably. is..blown, - Com-
munists.: }will have;- a-' -heyday
denouncing, tlie,i.pol ticuj opponents
as CIA stooges. - = t - 'r
The net effect, according to this'
view, will be to strengthen Come
munist groups and to isolate the U.S.
from traditional European friends
who will resent external interference
in their domestic political process.
"It could be. another disaster. like
the destabilization stuff.we pulled in
Chile," said one critic. -
The CIA refused to confirm or deny
its new involvement in."western
European . domestic ? politics.
- spokesman- said the . agency never
comments on covert activities but
added: "Whatever we do is. in total
compliance with the law."
Continued From Page Al Reagan's campaign here. It's in-'
appropriations subcommittee. sang:''
Rep. Leo Ryan, D-San Mateo : ` :According to "One Informant, ? Colby
County, a member . of the : In- - ran into blistering criticism when he
ternational Relations Committee::, s bared- the.,Vie$tern European project
said he could"not "flatly" confirm the . to' the International. Relations Com-,
report because of his panel's secret- mittee during, a closed-door session
communication %a rangeinents. with earlier this month. Rep. Wayne Hays,
the CIA: D-Ohio,' a powerful.-senior. House
But he expressed sharp cri'ticisrn bf' member who keeps close:tabs on the
current CIA covert ' operations aftd "State Department,. is said to have
said he would be strongly opposed to been among those who voiced strong
'
objections.
any secret U.S. manipulation of
European political contests. - . .. "Wayne Hays damn near tore
"First of all. I doubt that we'd be . Colby's head off," said one source.
successful trying to hold up some When asked to comment on the
tired, old political hacks just because - information obtained by The Bee,
they're not - Communists,": - he' Ryan said he plans to ask the House
Approved For Release 2005/01/27 : CIA-RDP78MO266OR000300040058-9
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