LETTER TO MR. RICHARD M. HELMS FROM GORDON GRAY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01086A000900190003-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 17, 2001
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: November 11, 1970
• Content Type: LETTER

Y
WASHINGTON, D. G. 20006
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EY.;Lutive Registry
GORDON GRAY
800 17T0 STREET, N. W.
November 11, 1970
Mr. Richard M. Helms
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C.
Please note the enclosed copy of a
letter I have received from Mr, William S.
Smith.
I suppose I have two questions:
(1) Do you have any general comments
whidh could appropriately be passed on to Mr,
Smith?
(2) Does the Agency ever make a direct
response to a question of this sort?
Sincerely,
ordon Gray
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 William S. Smith
President
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R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company
VV stop-Salsm, N. C. 27102
November 3, 1970
Dear Gordon:
Our International Division has received a
proposal from South Vietnam to manufacture our
brands there. Apparently they are very much
interested in reducing the black market on ciga-
rettes in that country, and they propose to allow
a U. S. cigarette manufacturer to import their
brands at a greatly reduced import duty, provided
that manufacturer is willing to build a plant and
start manufacturing in South Vietnam in approxi-
mately two years. As you probably know, SALEM
enjoys great popularity with the Vietnamese.
We do not have all the facts and figures
needed to decide whether we should pursue this
matter further. Several of us are very concerned
about, what we consider, a very high element of
risk in making a capital investment in that country.
The stability of the South Vietnamese Government
and the possibility of Communist takeover, if and
when our troops are withdrawn, are key consider-
ations in this venture.
We fully realize the impossibility of accu-
rately predicting what will take place in South
Vietnam when we withdraw, but would appreciate
any thoughts you have in this matter. The Inter-
national Division knows that I am contacting a
friend in Washington, but your name has not been
mentioned and, of course, any information you give
me will be held very confidential.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Mr. Gordon Gray
Suite 403
800 - 17th Street N. W.'
Washington, D. C. 20006
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