CONVERSATION WITH SSCI STAFFER HAL FORD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81M00980R000600320123-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2004
• Sequence Number: 123
• Publication Date: June 13, 1978
• Content Type: MFR

)pproved Fpr Release 1p4I07/29 : CIA-RD1o1 M00980R000600320123-5
sJ
OLC #78-,VY-5-
SUBJECT: Conversation with SSCI Staffer Hal Ford
1. Mr. Ford sought me out, apparently to determine
my general frame of mind regarding CIA/SSCI relations.
(I had spoken to Mr. Ford frankly on 1 June in the wake
of the New York Times article by Seymour Hersh which
represented damaging leaks from the SSCI.)
2. I said that my frame of mind had improved some-
what since I had seen what I considered to be a very
professional piece of work by SSCI staffer Mike Epstein
on KCIA. I made the point that each solid piece of work
like that builds up a precedent which can be pointed to
as we try to make the oversight process more beneficial
to all involved. Mr. Ford replied that he had conveyed
my strong feelings to Bill Miller after the 1 June
meeting and that Miller's only overt reaction had been
"a sense of dismay" about the leaks which the Hersh
article represented. Mr. Ford said the SSCI remains
mystified as to how these leaks occurred.
3. Mr. Ford passed on the following additional points:
a. Bill _ML 1 1 car may well be leaving as SSCI
Staff Directcr in the faitly near future. Mr. Ford
mentioned as possible replacements Tom Connaughton and
John Elliff. In describing both men, Mr. Ford appeared
to be somewhat more positive about Tom Connauf=hton, whom
he described as "in the Bill Miller mold," balanced and
with a good. sense of humor. Both men have been on Senator
Bayh's staff, and both have strong interest in preserv.i.:~,-,
tl-e rights of U.S. citizens.
b. David Bushong-has been appointed Minority
Counsel of the SSCI.
c. Mr. Ford and others who have been studying
the Frank Snepp allegations are now asking to see court
depositions resulting from the Snepp trial. The reading
of these depositions will delay the submission of the
rcnort. Mr. Ford indicated that one of the main concerns
in his report will be how- ent
an grievance channels of CIA functioned in the wake of
the Vietnam war.
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4. Mr. Ford said that his newest inquiry is
concerned with the NIO system. At this point he has the
general feeling that the ideal approach in the writing
of estimates may lie somewhere between. the_-4+e-wznct
Board of Estimates approach which may have been too
collegial and the NIO approach which may be too individualistic.
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 DATE OF REQUEST
TO :
Mr. U6~XX MILLER
SUSPENSE DATE
FROM :
DFM
SUBJECT:
NOTES
FYI: Not
e especially paragraph 3a.
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