INTERVIEW WITH JEFFREY RICHELSON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000301630005-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 21, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: March 14, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2010/01/21 : CIA-RDP88-01070R000301630005-2
RADIO N REPORTS, INC.
4701 WILLARD AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND 20815 [phone]
FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF
PROGRAM Channel 4 News Live at 5:00 STATION WRC TV
DATE March 14, 1985 5:00 PM CITY Washington, DC
SUBJECT Interview with Jeffrey Richelson
LEA THOMPSON: In Lifestyles tonight we're going to
examine the super secret world of spies and espionage, the way it
really is in the U.S. intelligence community versus the way
Hollywood would have us believe it is.
JIM VANCE: This is the world of spies and counter-spies
that most of us know.
(Clip of James Bond movie.)
VANCE: It's the James Bonds of the world, performing
the most incredible daredevil feats one could imagine. And of
course, all the action takes place in exotic places with beauti-
ful scenery such as the Swiss Alps or the Far East. And what
would the espionage world be like without the world's most
beautiful women?
(Clip of movie.)
VANCE: And lots of high speed chases and car crashes?
Looks like the Beltway, doesn't it?
Our guest tonight says the real world of spies and moles
is not at all like what we just saw. Please meet Dr. Jeffrey
Richelson. He has just written a fascinating book. It is
entitled "The U.S. Intelligence Community." Mr. Richelson,
welcome. Am I pronouncing your name right, by the way?
VANCE: Okay, thank you.
OFFICES IN: WASHINGTON D.C. ? NEW YORK ? LOS ANGELES ? CHICAGO ? DETROIT ? AND OTHER PRINCIPAL CITIES
Material s,p?~ecApproved For Release 2010/01/21: CIA-RDP88-01070R000301630005-2 I or exhibited.
 Approved For Release 2010/01/21 : CIA-RDP88-0107OR000301630005-2
You say in your book that there are more than 30
organizations that make up our intelligence community. That
would suggest at least a little if not an awful lot of duplica-
tion. Is that a correct assumption?
DR. RICHELSON: Well, there's some. But to a large
extent, the large number of agencies is the function of there
being many different consumers for intelligence, many different
types of intelligence that's required and many different
missions.
overlap.
DR. RICHELSON: So it's not -- it's not a case of total
VANCE: Okay. You say many different types of intelli-
gence. To most of us I would think what would come to mind would
be the military kind of thing. I mean, we're trying to find out
what kind of weapons the Russians have and they're trying to find
out what kind of secrets that we have. There is much more than
that, you're saying.
DR. RICHELSON: Oh, certainly. For example, we're
interested in the politics of virtually all countries in the
world, whether it's the Soviet Union or Israel or Egypt. We're
interested in economic affairs. Certainly oil and energy are two
prime collection targets to the United States intelligence. And
we're also interested in what may -- might be called sociological
or social intelligence, things like ethnic conflicts in various
countries including the Soviet Union, dimension -- the dimensions
of religious conflicts.
VANCE: Can we -- I'm sorry. Can we presume then that
the intelligence community has grown considerably over the last
couple of decades and that it might even continue to do so?
DR. RICHELSON: I -- it has certainly expanded remark-
ably from around 1945 when there was a -- very few intelligence
organizations. As we've developed more and -- more sophisticated
technical collection systems, as we have developed greater needs
for different types of intelligence, so the intelligence communi-
ty has grown in terms of the number of organizations and man-
power.
VANCE: With all of the advanced technology though, do
we need as much manpower now? I would think that the technology
would reduce the need for the number of bodies around.
DR. RICHELSON: In some cases it's the exact opposite
effect because of the fact that the more technical intelligence
collection systems you have, such as satellites and aircraft and
Approved For Release 2010/01/21 : CIA-RDP88-0107OR000301630005-2
 Approved For Release 2010/01/21 : CIA-RDP88-0107OR000301630005-2
ground stations, the more data you're gathering. And as you
gather more data you need more people to analyze it.
VANCE: The fact of the matter is we gave the impression
that Hollywood gives us all the James Bond kind of stuff, but
there was another Hollywood effort called "Day of the Condor"
which portrayed an intelligence employee who had probably one of
the most boring jobs in the world. Is that more typical of what
intelligence work is really like?
DR. RICHELSON: In fact, his job was probably more
interesting than many of the jobs in the intelligence community
employees have, because at least he got to read spy novels
whereas many of them wind up reading Pravda and Izvestia and
trade statistics from the USSR, which is probably far less
interesting.
VANCE: One final question in a few seconds. Should we
as American citizens feel glad and secure with the growth of
intelligence operations that we have in this country now?
DR. RICHELSON: Well, I wouldn't say that it's something
that -- that we should feel glad and secure about, unequivocally.
There've been certain benefits in the growth of intelligence,
specifically the ability to monitor arms control treaties. On
the other hand, there've been some serious abuses over the years,
and that's something that is a cause for concern in the future.
VANCE: Okay. Dr. Jeffrey Richelson, we thank you. We
appreciate it. The book is called "The U.S. Intelligence
Community." It is fascinating, by the way. Thank you very much.
DR. RICHELSON: Thank you.
Approved For Release 2010/01/21 : CIA-RDP88-0107OR000301630005-2