LETTER (Sanitized)FROM STANSFIELD TURNER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00985R000100130018-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 30, 2005
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: January 12, 1981
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For F Jease 2005/07/14: CIA-RDP86B00985AW00100130018-9
12 January 1981
0
I do not wish to leave this place without first expressing to you
my appreciation of your willingness to spend some time with the Agency
in a consultant capacity. I know it was difficult for you to do so,
given the other pressing demands on your time. But I firmly believed
that the quality of our product could only be improved if the analysts
engaged upon its production were exposed to your proven skills and your
seasoned judgment.
I am equally convinced that our effort was successful. Intelligence
production is not a business in which perfection can ever be attained
but I believe firmly that our product has improved in quality over the
past three or four years. You contributed to this improvement and may
legitimately take satisfaction from your participation. You also have my
sincere gratitude for what you did.
Our association in this effort now comes to an end. I know, though,
that you will continue to stand ready to help our government in the future
as you did in this case when you are called upon to do so. Meanwhile, I
hope and believe that our paths will continue to cross. I therefore look
forward to our future associations. I have no doubt that you will continue
to be successful in all you undertake, but please know that you have my
best wishes.
Yours,
STANSFIELD TURNER
Approved For Release 2005/07/14: CIA-RDP86B00985R000100130018-9
 Approved For-Wease 2005/07/14: CIA-RDP86B00985,$,p00100130018-9
12 January 1981
DRAFT
0
I do not wish to leave this place without first expressing to
you my appreciation of your willingness to spend some time with the
Agency in a consultant capacity. I know it was difficult for you to
do so, given other demands on your time, and I am aware that you had
some reservations regarding the usefulness of your participation. But
I wanted to make sure that our intelligence products, inevitably specialist
in focus, wou"Id be comprehensible by our consumers, the nation's top
policymakers, and I had confidence in your capacity,to absorb and
comprehend subjects only mildly arcane. Consequently, I had no doubt
of your ability to apply your judgment, in which I also had high
confidence, to the quality of our product.
The effort was successful. There is no doubt in my mind that our
product has improved in quality over the past three or four years. You
may still believe that your own contribution was small but you can take
satisfaction from it nevertheless. I regret that we shall no longer be
associated in this effort. I know, though, that you will continue to
stand ready to help our government in the future as you did in this case
when called upon to do so. Meanwhile, I hope and indeed believe that our
paths shall continue to cross in the future as in the past. I shall look
forward to our future associations and I take this opportunity to wish
you continued success in all your endeavors.
Yours,
STANSFIELD TURNER
Approved For Release 7/14: CIA-RDP86B00985R000100130018-9
 Approved For lease 2005/07/14: CIA-RDP86B00985000100130018-9
12 January 1981
DRAFT
0
I do not wish to leave this place without first expressing to you
my appreciation of your willingness to spend some time with the Agency
in a consultant capacity. I know it was difficult for you tb do so,
given the other pressing demands on your time. But I firmly believed
that the quality of our product could only be improved if the analysts
engaged upon its production were exposed to your proven skills and your
seasoned judgment.
I an equally convinced that our effort was successful. Intelligence
production is not a business in which perfection can ever be attained
but I believe firmly that our product has improved in quality over the
past three or four years. You contributed to this improvement and may
legitimately take satisfaction from your participation. You also have
my sincere gratitude for what you did.
Our association in this effort now comes to an end. I know, though,
that you will continue to stand ready to help our government in the future
as you did in this case when you are called upon to do so. Meanwhile, I
hope and believe that our paths will continue to cross. I therefore look
forward to our future associations. I have no doubt that you will continue
to be successful in all you undertake, but please know that you have my
best wishes.
Yours,
STANSFIELD TURNER
Approved For Release 2005/07/14: CIA-RDP86B00985R000100130018-9