LETTER TO GOVERNOR JIMMY CARTER FROM RONALD V. DELLUMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M00165A001100030013-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 5, 2004
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: January 7, 1977
• Content Type: LETTER

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January 7, 1977
Governor Jimmy Carter
President-elect
Plains, Georgia 31780
Dear Governor Carter:
We are very concerned with the recent politicization of the analysis
process which produces the National Intelligence Estimates and with
the leak for apparent political purposes of some classified estimates
developed regarding the goals of the Soviet Union.
The participants on the outside panel unfortunately included several
persons who had already developed conclusions on the matter and who are
actively engaged in lobbying efforts to shape policy to meet their
conclusions. The final position of the panel and the opinions in the
estimate should come as no surprise.
One almost expected result of this "pollution" of the process was the
leak and the resulting pressure to be exerted on future executive and
legislative decisions concerning the entire spectrum of national security
affairs. This could have an apparently intended but disastrous effect on
the shape of the defense budget and on arms limitations talks.
The development of objective intelligence estimates is of paramount
importance to this country. Personal political or ideological stances
have no place in the process. We deplore their intrusion.
We urge that the process remain pristine and uncontaminated. We urge
that outside participation be only analytical and we strongly request
an investigation on the leak. Most importantly, we ask that the estimate
be redone and the obvious bias corrected.
Sincerely,
Ronald V. Dellums
Berkly Bedell
John Burton
William Clay
John Conyers
Don Edwards
Jim Johnson
Michael Harrington
Robert Kastenmeier
Parren Mitchell
Richard Ottinger
Henry Reuss
Approved For Release 2004/03/23: CIA-RDP80MOO165A
Robert Leggett
 Approved For Release 2004/03/23 : CIA-RDP80M00165AO01100030013-6
Approved For Release 2004/03/23 : CIA-RDP80M00165AO01100030013-6