QUESTION AND ATTITUDES REGARDING CIA AS DISCERNED THROUGH BRIEFINGS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00058R000100100017-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 5, 2003
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: April 18, 1977
• Content Type: MF

Approved For1jelease 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP83-000588000100100017-7
OTP 77-7.O3
18 APR 1917
MEMORMD M PORT Deputy Director for Administration
Harry E. Fitzwater
Director of Training
Questions and Attitudes Regarding CIA
as Discerned through Briefings
1. Based upon questions and comments expressed by
the audiences who received briefings on CIA since the
first of the year, the OTR Briefing Officer has synthesized
the following report:
a. 4h School Groups: Generally open-minded,
curious about noniu ~ological in attitude. Questions
invariably cover assassination of foreign leaders, over-
throwing of governments (Chile), domestic spying, and
alleged CIA implication in the assassination of President
Kennedy. These are tough questions, but they are not
usually asked in a hostile tone. These students are much
appreciative of candor.' The briefings are well received,
as is evidenced by the 2,400 high school students from all
over the nation who participated in the 1977 Presidential
Classroom. This is the only program for which objective
comparative ratings are available. Of 18 such seminars
conducted in 1977, CIA was ranked highest by the students.
b. College Croups: More widely read than the high
school stud aentthey have had considerable exposure to the
press attacks on CIA. They are now anxious to hear the CIA
side. Some are troubled by assassination plots, Chile, and
domestic spying--others by secrecy and covert action in
general. But one no longer encounters the moral outrage
of 1975. One can get through to them better now and help
them see things in perspective. 'Discussion periods are
often quite stimulating and sophisticated with these groups.
c. Civic and Professional Groups: Usually more
cons ervaativ+ t a.n acs grc~us a`with greater reser-
vations about the press, they are not anti-CIA. However,
Approved For Release 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP83-00058R000100100017-7
 Approved For Release 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP83-000588000100100017-7
SUBJECT: Questions and Attitudes Regarding CIA as
Discerned through) Briefings
they are not pro-CIA in the sense in which they might be
said to be pro-military or pro-FBI. They just don't know
CIA and many are more isolationist than internationalist.
But they are intelligent and responsive to the appeal of
an organization in the service of our country. These
groups should not be overlooked, as it is a question of
solidifying latent support. This can be done simply by
telling the story of CIA's contributions to the nation.
Once ignorance is dispelled, they are sympathetic to CIA.
2. We recognize that the briefing effort is relatively
minuscule when viewed against the general public's knowledge
or better lack of knowledge, about CIA and its work.
believe, however, that even our relatively limited effort
is most worthwhile in contributing to better public under-
standing, particularly in the local area. Our feedback
generally indicates that the groups who are briefed hav,(+
been impressed with the candor and general quality of the
briefings. As many are sponsored by congressmen and other
key figures, the effort has the additional value of con-
tributing to a favorable Agency image among suc i groups'
sponsors.
iia,Try i.
Distribution:
0 V 1 - Adse
1 - II
1 - DTR Chrono
1 - OTR Registry
1 - DDTR
DDTR,Q:nd (15 Apr 77)
STAT
Approved For Release 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP83-00058R000100100017-7