REMARKS OF WILLIAM J. CASEY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BEFORE THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88G01116R000500550020-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 10, 2011
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: May 15, 1986
• Content Type: MISC

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REMARKS OF WILLIAM J. CASEY
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
BEFORE
THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, 15 MAY 1986
J. W. MARRIOTT HOTEL
WASHINGTON, D. C.
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LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S A GREAT PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO BE
SPEAKING BEFORE THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE. THIS AFTERNOON I HAVE BEEN
ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE PROBLEM OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM-'A
SCOURGE THAT INCREASINGLY IS BEGINNING TO DOMINATE OUR LIVES
AND TIMES. BUT BEFORE I BEGIN, LET ME SAY THAT IT IS A SPECIAL
PRIVILEGE TO APPEAR BEFORE A GROUP THAT HAS DONE SO MUCH ITSELF
TO FIGHT THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE- I KNOW THAT RABBI TANENBAUM
AND THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT
OF THE EFFORT TO MOBILIZE A BROAD NATIONAL CONSTITUENCY IN THIS
COUNTRY IN SUPPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION. LET ME TELL YOU
THAT THOSE OF US INSIDE GOVERNMENT NEED YOUR HELP AND APPRECIATE
YOUR EFFORTS. TERRORISM IS A CANCER THAT IS SPREADING- IN 1983
WE RECORDED ABOUT 500 INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST INCIDENTS; LAST
YEAR THE NUMBER ROSE TO ABOUT 800. THE UNITED STATES AND ITS
FRIENDS AND ALLIES CONTINUE TO BE THE PRIMARY TARGETS. THE
NUMBER OF PERSONS KILLED OR INJURED IN 1985 EXCEEDED 2,200--MORE
THAN ANY OTHER YEAR, MORE EVEN THAN THE TERRIBLE TOLL IN 1983
WHEN THE US AND FRENCH CONTINGENTS OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE
IN LEBANON WERE BOMBED. THE RISING CASUALTY RATE REFLECTS
THE INCREASED USE OF LARGE BOMBS BY TERRORISTS AS WELL AS
GREATER WILLINGNESS TO HARM INNOCENT BYSTANDERS THROUGH
INDISCRIMINATE ATTACKS-
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THE CAPABILITY OF THE TERRORIST TO KILL, MAIM, KIDNAP,
AND TORTURE HIS VICTIMS HAS BEEN ENORMOUSLY ENHANCED BY STATE
SPONSORSHIP. LIBYA, SYRIA, AND IRAN USE TERRORISM AS AN
INSTRUMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY. THEY HIRE AND SUPPORT ESTABLISHED
TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY AROUND THE WORLD.
THESE COUNTRIES MAKE THEIR OFFICIALS, THEIR EMBASSIES, THEIR
DIPLOMATIC POUCHES, THEIR COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS, AND THEIR
TERRITORY AS SAFEHAVEN FOR THESE CRIMINALS AVAILABLE TO PLAN,
DIRECT AND EXECUTE BOMBINGS, ASSASSINATIONS, KIDNAPPINGS AND
OTHER TERRORIST OPERATIONS-
THEY HAVE OPERATED LARGELY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND IN EUROPE-
TODAY THEY ARE NOW SPREADING THEIR WINGS INTO THIS HEMISPHERE-
THE THREAT TO US FACILITIES, PERSONNEL, AND INTERESTS IS
PARTICULARLY HIGH IN COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, AND PERU WHERE STRONGLY
ANTI-US TERRORIST GROUPS ARE ACTIVE-
THE LINK BETWEEN LIBYAN- AND CUBAN-SPONSORED TERRORISM
AND NICARAGUAN-SPONSORED TERRORISM IS LARGE AND GROWING LARGER-
FOR SOME YEARS, THE LIBYANS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THE SANDINISTA
GOVERNMENT IN NICARAGUA WITH SOMETHING LIKE $100 MILLION DOLLARS
A YEAR. YOU'LL REMEMBER HOW NICARAGUAN-SUPPORTED INSURGENTS IN
EL SALVADOR KILLED OUR MARINES AT A CAFE IN THE CAPITAL OF THAT
COUNTRY-
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WE NOW SEE NICARAGUA TRAINING YOUNG MEN FOR VIOLENCE AND
SUBVERSION, SENDING THEM INTO SOUTH AMERICA--INTO COLOMBIA
FOR THE ATTACK ON THE PALACE OF JUSTICE IN BOGOTA AND AS FAR
SOUTH AS CHILE- YOUNG MEN FROM LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES ARE
BEING SENT TO LIBYA FOR TRAINING IN THE TERRORIST CAMPS THERE
AND THEN BROUGHT BACK TO BE PLANTED AMONG THE POPULATION IN
CENTRAL AMERICA, IN VENEZUELA, IN ECUADOR- IF THE SANDINISTA
REGIME CONSOLIDATES ITSELF, WE CAN EXPECT MANAGUA TO BECOME THE
BEIRUT OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
THERE IS A SOVIET CONNECTION AND SUPPORT FOR ALL THIS-
WHILE SOME REFER TO THAT CONNECTION AS SHADOWY, IT SEEMS VERY
REAL TO ME. THE STATES I HAVE JUST MENTIONED ARE NOT NECESSARILY
CLOSE ALLIES TO MOSCOW, BUT THEY SHARE A FUNDAMENTAL HOSTILITY
TO THE WEST. THE SOVIETS, WHO HOLD NO MORAL OBJECTIONS TO THE
USE OF TERRORISM AND SEE MUCH OF THE UNREST IT CREATES AS
ULTIMATELY BENEFICIAL TO THEIR FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES, DO
NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO BLOCK TERRORISM
OR TO JOIN IN MULTILATERAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT IT. IN BACKING
REVOLUTIONARY CAUSES AGAINST ESTABLISHED GOVERNMENTS, IT IS
LARGELY A MATTER OF INDIFFERENCE TO THE SOVIETS WHETHER TERRORIST
TACTICS ARE USED AS LONG AS THE GROUPS THAT COMMIT THESE ACTS
ATTACK NON-SOVIET OR NON-BLOC TARGETS. AND SOVIET SUPPORT FOR
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM COMES PACKAGED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS
RANGING FROM DIRECT TRAINING OF TERRORIST PERSONNEL TO POLITICAL
BACKING AND FUNDING FOR STATES ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN SPONSORING
TERRORISM-
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THE EAST EUROPEANS, ALMOST CERTAINLY WITH SOVIET KNOWLEDGE
AND SUPPORT, PROVIDE SAFEHAVEN, TRANSIT PRIVILEGES AND MOVEMENT
OF WEAPONS BOMBS FOR TERRORISTS. BULGARIA'S STATE TRADING
ORGANIZATION KINTEX--WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A STATE SMUGGLING
OPERATION--AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA'S COMPARABLE ORGANIZATION OMNIPOL
ARE AMONG THE MOST PROMINENT COMPANIES WHOSE WEAPONS EVENTUALLY
HAVE APPEARED IN TERRORIST HANDS.
LET ME NOW TURN TO THE PROBLEMS US INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS
AND COUNTERTERRORISM POLICYMAKERS AS THEY SEEK TO TACKLE THE
PROBLEM OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. YOU'VE ALL HEARD AN
ENDLESS STREAM OF COMMENTARY CALLING FOR A MUCH GREATER
INTELLIGENCE EFFORT AGAINST TERRORISM. I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.
BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE MADE A
REMARKABLE AMOUNT OF PROGRESS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
IN ORDER TO PREVENT TERRORIST PLANS OR DISRUPT THEIR
ACTIVITIES, WE NEED INFORMATION ABOUT THEM. BUT THE VERY
NATURE OF TERRORIST GROUPS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES MAKES THIS
TASK EXTREMELY COMPLICATED. TERRORIST GROUPS ARE VERY SMALL,
MAKING PENETRATION A VERY DIFFICULT TASK FOR POLICE OR
INTELLIGENCE AGENTS. MOREOVER, THE OPERATING LIFE OF ANY
SINGLE GROUP OF TERRORISTS IS OFTEN NO MORE THAN A FEW YEARS.
LIKEWISE, TYPICAL TERRORIST LEADERS HAVE A RELATIVELY SHORT
BUSINESS LIFE-
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SO HOW DO WE GO ABOUT IT? FIRST, WE ARE ACQUIRING AS
MUCH INFORMATION AS WE CAN ABOUT TERRORIST GROUPS INCLUDING
MODUS OPERANDI, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, PERSONNEL SUPPORT,
FINANCIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS ARRANGEMENTS, AND THEIR
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER GROUPS OR STATE SPONSORS- MUCH OF
THIS IS JUST HARD RESEARCH, COMPILING A LARGE DATA BASE AND
ATTEMPTING TO FILL IN THE GAPS. IT IS NOT VERY GLAMOROUS AND
PEOPLE WHO DO IT DO NOT CAPTURE THE HEADLINES. BUT IT IS THE
FOUNDATION UPON WHICH THE US COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORT RESTS.
CONTINUING COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ENABLES US TO IMPROVE OUR
ABILITY TO DETECT TRENDS IN TERRORISM OPERATIONS, UPGRADE SECURITY
IN AREAS MOST LIKELY AT RISK, AND DETERMINE VULNERABILITIES OF
TERRORIST GROUPS. WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE A SYSTEM OF RAPID
COMMUNICATIONS TO GATHER ASSESSMENTS, HAVE REPORTS TESTED BY
EXPERTS THROUGHOUT OUR GOVERNMENT, AND PASS CONCLUSIONS AND
WARNINGS QUICKLY TO THE POINT OF THE THREAT.
ACTION BASED ON OUR INTELLIGENCE, ALONG WITH THAT OF
OTHER FRIENDLY COUNTRIES INCLUDING MODERATE ARAB GOVERNMENTS,
HAS BEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT A GREAT MANY PLANNED TERRORIST ATTACKS
AROUND THE WORLD. THE RATE OF EFFECTIVE WARNING IS INCREASING,
RISING TO 26 DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL THIS YEAR.
SOMETIMES WE FALL JUST HEARTBREAKINGLY SHORT OF SUCCESS
AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE BERLIN NIGHTCLUB BOMBING LAST MONTH-
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You HAVE HEARD THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT OUTLINING THE EVIDENCE
FOR THE LIBYAN COMPLICITY IN THE BERLIN BOMBING- WE ALSO
HAVE COMPELLING EVIDENCE OF LIBYAN INVOLVEMENT IN ATTEMPTS
TO ATTACK OTHER US TARGETS, SEVERAL OF WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO
CAUSE MAXIMUM CASUALTIES SIMILAR TO THE BERLIN BOMBING-
FRANCE EXPELLED TWO MEMBERS OF THE LIBYAN PEOPLE'S
BUREAU IN PARIS FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN A PLANNED ATTACK ON
VISA APPLICANTS WAITING IN LINE AT THE US EMBASSY.
FRANCE SUBSEQUENTLY EXPELLED TWO DISGRUNTLED FATAH
FORCE 17 MEMBERS RECRUITED BY LIBYA TO CONDUCT ANOTHER OPERATION
AGAINST THE UNITED STATES IN PARIS-
-- IN EARLY APRIL A LIBYAN-INSPIRED PLOT TO ATTACK
THE US EMBASSY IN BEIRUT WAS ABORTED WHEN THE 107 MM ROCKET
EXPLODED ON LAUNCH-
TURKISH POLICE IN LATE MARCH ARRESTED TWO TUNISIANS
IN ISTANBUL WHO CLAIMED THEY WERE PLANNING ON BEHALF OF THE
LIBYANS TO USE EXPLOSIVES AGAINST A US TARGET IN TURKEY; THE
OPERATION WAS PLANNED TO INFLICT HEAVY CASUALTIES-
ALL IN ALL, NEARLY 50 LIBYAN DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED
RECENTLY FROM SPAIN, ITALY, FRANCE AND WEST GERMANY- IN FACT,
SO FAR THIS YEAR WE HAVE REPORTS OF WELL OVER 35 LIBYAN-
ASSOCIATED THREATS, INCLUDING SURVEILLANCE OF PLANNED ATTACKS
AGAINST US PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES IN EUROPE, AFRICA AND ASIA-
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TOGETHER WITH THE INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY SERVICES OF
FRIENDLY COUNTRIES, WE HAVE DEVELOPED A WORLDWIDE COUNTER-
TERRORIST NETWORK WHICH FUNCTIONS THROUGH INTELLIGENCE
EXCHANGES, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND JOINT OPERATIONS.
THE TERRORISTS ARE EVERYWHERE, MOVING SILENTLY ACROSS BORDERS
AND STRIKING WITH AS MUCH STEALTH AND SURPRISE AS THEY CAN
MANAGE. THIS APPARATUS MUST BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THEM, PASS WORD
ON THEIR MOVEMENTS, PICK THEM UP OR ABORT THEIR PLANS, OR
OTHERWISE DEFEND AGAINST THEM-
WE HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY EFFECTIVE IN THIS AND OUR
CAPABILITIES ARE IMPROVING- I TAKE THIS OCCASION TO FURTHER
A NECESSARY DIALOGUE ON HOW WE CAN OVERCOME WHAT I CONSIDER
THE GREATEST SINGLE IMPEDIMENT TO PROTECTING OUR INTERESTS AND
OUR CITIZENS FROM THE SCOURGE OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM-
IN RECENT YEARS, PUBLICATION OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
BY THE MEDIA HAS DESTROYED OR SERIOUSLY DAMAGED INTELLIGENCE
SOURCES OF THE HIGHEST VALUE. EVERY METHOD WE HAVE OF ACQUIRING
INTELLIGENCE-'OUR AGENTS, OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER SECURITY
SERVICES, OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ELECTRONIC CAPABILITIES, THE
INFORMATION WE GET FROM COMMUNICATIONS--HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY
THE PUBLICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURES-
IN RECENT WEEKS AND MONTHS, A FLOOD OF INFORMATION AND
MISINFORMATION HAS APPEARED IN PRINT AND ON THE AIR WAVES.
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YOU'VE ALL SEEN IT. BEFORE THE PRESIDENT SPOKE TO OUR PEOPLE
AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAD ABOUT
LIBYAN DIRECTION OF THE ATTACK ON ALLIED SOLDIERS IN THE BERLIN
NIGHTCLUB, MAJOR NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS MAGAZINES PUBLISHED THAT
LIBYAN COMMUNICATIONS WERE BEING READ. THE LIBYANS STOPPED
USING THOSE COMMUNICATIONS AND THIS IS BOUND TO PUT OTHER
PEACEFUL CITIZENS IN JEOPARDY. THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WE
MUST ADDRESS IF OUR FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS TO SUCCEED-
THIS IS A DELICATE AND CRITICAL PROBLEM, AND I WANT TO
BE VERY CAREFUL AND PRECISE IN ADDRESSING IT. LET ME FIRST
SAY THAT I YIELD TO NO ONE IN MY RESPECT FOR THE MEDIA AND THE
PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR IT AND FOR THEIR FUNCTION IN OUR SOCIETY-
IT HAS BEEN MY OWN PERSONAL ACTIVITY IN NEWSPAPERS, BOOKS,
MAGAZINES AND ELECTRONIC BROADCASTING THAT HAS GIVEN ME THE CAPITAL
TO RUN A PERSONAL DEFICIT FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS IN ORDER TO
SERVE OUR COUNTRY- I RESPECT THE DILIGENCE AND INGENUITY OF
THE WORKING PRESS IN GATHERING AND PUBLISHING NEWS AND APPLAUD
ITS EXPOSURE OF WASTE, INEFFICIENCY, CORRUPTION AND OTHER
MISCONDUCT- IN SHORT, I SPEAK FROM 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS
A FRIEND, PARTICIPANT AND SUPPORTER OF THE MEDIA.
I HAVE TWO POINTS THAT I FEEL I MUST MAKE AT THIS TIME
IN ORDER TO DISCHARGE THE OBLIGATION SPECIFICALLY PLACED ON
ME BY THE LAW OF OUR LAND TO PROTECT INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND
METHODS.
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PUT VERY SIMPLY, THEY ARE FIRST THAT THE MEDIA LIKE
EVERYONE ELSE MUST ADHERE TO THE LAW. SECOND, ALL OF US HAVE
RESPONSIBILITIES TO BALANCE IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION.
IN THE FACE OF THE NEW DANGEROUS THREATS THAT WE FACE FROM
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, NOW IS THE TIME TO MUTUALLY ADDRESS
THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES TOGETHER IN A SERIOUS AND MEASURED WAY.
CONGRESS, SHORTLY AFTER IT ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL SECURITY
AGENCY TO GATHER SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE, IN 1950 ENACTED A LAW
WHICH PROHIBITS THE PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS
INTELLIGENCE. THERE HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD VIOLATION OF THAT
LAW OVER RECENT WEEKS AND MONTHS. MUCH DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.
KAY GRAHAM, THE PUBLISHER OF THE WASHINGTON POST, IN A RECENT
VERY THOUGHTFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECH CITED THE KIND OF
DAMAGE WHICH WE HAVE SUSTAINED. SHE TOLD HOW A TELEVISION
NETWORK AND A COLUMNIST HAD OBTAINED INFORMATION THAT WE WERE
READING THE MESSAGES OF PEOPLE ARRANGING THE BOMBING OF THE
U.S. EMBASSY IN BEIRUT. SHORTLY AFTER THIS PUBLIC DISCLOSURE,
THAT TRAFFIC STOPPED. THIS UNDERMINED OUR EFFORTS TO CAPTURE
THE TERRORIST LEADERS AND ELIMINATED A SOURCE OF INFORMATION
ABOUT FUTURE ATTACKS.
WHERE THERE ALREADY HAS BEEN PUBLIC DISCLOSURE ABOUT
COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE, THE LAW HAS BEEN VIOLATED BUT
THE MILK HAS BEEN SPILLED. I WOULD NOT, THEREFORE, AT THIS
TIME FAVOR ACTION FOR THESE PAST OFFENSES. BUT I STRONGLY
BELIEVE THAT IF WE ARE TO PROTECT OUR SECURITY AS A NATION
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AND THE SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS IN THIS AGE OF INTERNATIONAL
TERRORISM AND INTERCONTINENTAL MISSILES, THE LAW NOW ON THE
BOOKS TO PROTECT A VERY NARROW SEGMENT OF INFORMATION, THAT
DEALING WITH COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE, MUST NOW BE ENFORCED-
THERE ARE OTHER LARGE AREAS OF INFORMATION ABOUT OUR
INTELLIGENCE, OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS
WITH OTHER NATIONS WHICH CAN AND FREQUENTLY SHOULD BE
PUBLISHED WITHOUT VIOLATING ANY LAW. BUT THERE ARE SITUATIONS
IN WHICH MANY OF US BELIEVE THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY, BEFORE
RUSHING INTO PRINT OR ONTO THE AIR WAVES, TO WEIGH AND CONSIDER
THE DANGER TO LIFE AND LIMB OF OUR CITIZENS AND OTHERS AND TO
THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND THE REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY
OF OUR NATION.
THE TEMPTATION TO GO BEYOND THE FACTS AND PIECE TOGETHER
AND STRETCH FRAGMENTS OF INFORMATION IN ORDER TO MAKE A
PUBLISHABLE STORY AND SOMETIMES IN ORDER TO SENSATIONALIZE IS
A DANGEROUS THING- IT CAN AND HAS COST LIVES. IT CAN WRONGLY
IMPAIR REPUTATIONS AND DISRUPT RELATIONSHIPS CRITICAL TO OUR
NATIONAL INTEREST. LET ME ILLUSTRATE WITH A TRUE STORY.
DURING 1985, A WELL-KNOWN REPORTER CALLED THE INFORMATION
OFFICER AT THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AND TOLD HIM HE HAD
A STORY THAT WE HAD HELPED THE SECURITY SERVICE OF A FRIENDLY
NATION STAGE A CAR BOMBING OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF A TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION WHICH HAD RESULTED IN DEATH OR INJURY TO A LARGE
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NUMBER OF RESIDENTS AND PASSERS-BY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD- OUR
OFFICER TOLD THE REPORTER THAT HIS INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT
AND THAT THE CIA HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF AND NO INVOLVEMENT, DIRECT
OR INDIRECT, IN THE ATTACK. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF HE CHARGED
US INVOLVEMENT, HE MIGHT WIND UP WITH BLOOD ON HIS HANDS. THE
STORY WAS RUN IN HIS NEWSPAPER- IT GOT AROUND THE WORLD AND
CREATED A FALSE IMPRESSION OF US INVOLVEMENT IN THE BOMBING.
THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE INVESTIGATED
THE MATTER AND CONCLUDED THAT "NO COMPLICITY OF DIRECT OR
INDIRECT INVOLVEMENT CAN BE ESTABLISHED WITH RESPECT TO THE
MARCH 8 BOMBING IN BEIRUT-" BUT THIS CAME TOO LATE! A MONTH
AFTER THE MISLEADING STORY WAS PUBLISHED TO THE WORLD, TERRORISTS
HIJACKED A TWA PLANE AND ITS 153 PASSENGERS AND TOOK THEM TO
BEIRUT- WHEN THE HIJACKERS SHOT AND KILLED AN AMERICAN SERVICEMAN,
THEY CLAIMED IT TO BE IN RETALIATION FOR THE BOMBING IN BEIRUT
IN WHICH THE REPORTER HAD INVOLVED THE CIA AFTER THE CIA's
SPOKESMAN HAD DENIED TO HIM ANY INVOLVEMENT, DIRECT OR INDIRECT,
IN THE BOMBING-
IN PUTTING THIS STORY TOGETHER, THE REPORTERS HAD TALKS
WITH OFFICIALS IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND MEMBERS AND STAFFERS
OF THE CONGRESS ABOUT COLLATERAL MATTERS INCLUDING OUR LONG-TERM
PRACTICE OF PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE
SECURITY SERVICES OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUR
CAPABILITIES AND COOPERATION ON COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND COUNTER-
TERRORISM-
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THIS KIND OF ASSISTANCE GOES BACK MANY YEARS. WE ARE DOING
MORE OF THIS TO COPE WITH TODAY'S INTENSIFIED TERRORIST THREAT.
THIS DOES NOT MAKE US RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
THE REPORTER JUSTIFIED PUBLISHING THEIR STORY BY TAKING
THE VIEW THAT THIS LONGSTANDING TRAINING SOMEHOW MADE US
RESPONSIBLE FOR A PARTICULAR ACTION OF THE ORGANIZATION EVEN
THOUGH WE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACTION AND NO CONTACT WITH
THOSE WHO CARRIED IT OUT.
THIS IS A TRAGIC STORY. THERE IS ENOUGH BLAME FOR EVERYONE
INVOLVED TO SHARE. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TALKED MORE THAN THE
RULES PERMIT ON CLASSIFIED MATTERS. THE REPORTERS IGNORED
ACCURATE INFORMATION WITH WHICH THEY WERE CAREFULLY, CLEARLY,
AND HONESTLY PROVIDED. THEY STRETCHED THE IMPLICATIONS OF
SCRAPS OF INFORMATION THEY GATHERED- WE AT THE CIA EITHER
DID NOT HAVE TIME OR WERE NOT FAST ENOUGH IN BRINGING THE
MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF MANAGEMENT AT THE NEWSPAPER-
WE ALL MUST DO BETTER. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE
WORLD IN WHICH ALL OF US MUST MOVE WITH CAUTION AND RESPONSIBILITY.
CERTAINLY ANY RESPONSIBLE PERSON WOULD WANT TO EXERCISE SPECIAL
CARE TO AVOID SETTING IN MOTION THIS KIND OF SEQUENCE OF EVENTS-
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As WE SEE IT, MRS- GRAHAM STATED CORRECTLY THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE MEDIA IN SUCH MATTERS IN HER RECENT TALK- SHE CALLED
FOR "---FULL COOPERATION WHEREVER POSSIBLE BETWEEN THE MEDIA
AND THE AUTHORITIES- WHEN THE MEDIA OBTAINS ESPECIALLY
SENSITIVE INFORMATION, WE ARE WILLING TO TELL THE AUTHORITIES
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND WHAT WE PLAN TO REPORT. AND WHILE
RESERVING THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION OURSELVES, WE
ARE ANXIOUS TO LISTEN TO ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHY INFORMATION SHOULD
NOT BE AIRED- [THE MEDIA] WANT TO DO NOTHING THAT WOULD ENDANGER
HUMAN LIFE OR NATIONAL SECURITY- WE ARE WILLING TO COOPERATE
WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN WITHHOLDING INFORMATION THAT COULD
HAVE THOSE CONSEQUENCES-"
WE HAVE BEEN GRATIFIED BY THE READINESS OF MANY REPORTERS
AND EDITORS TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER SOMETIMES WITHHOLDING PUBLICATION
OF INFORMATION WHICH COULD JEOPARDIZE NATIONAL INTERESTS OR
TO TREAT OR PRESENT A STORY IN A MANNER WHICH MEETS THE PUBLIC
NEED, YET MINIMIZES POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO INTELLIGENCE SOURCES.
THE TRICK IS TO RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGE AND TO
CONSULT ON HOW IT MIGHT BE MINIMIZED- WE ARE ALWAYS READY AND
AVAILABLE ON SHORT NOTICE TO HELP ON THAT-
I HASTEN TO ADD, HOWEVER, THAT THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF PREVENTING THESE TYPES OF LEAKS
IS TO INCREASE DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF-
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THE INABILITY TO CONTROL SENSITIVE INFORMATION IS DESTRUCTIVE
OF THE MORALE OF PEOPLE WHO DO KEEP SECRETS, AS WELL AS DAMAGING
TO OUR SECURITY. DURING THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE PRESIDENT
HAS EMPHASIZED THE SPECIAL OBLIGATION FEDERAL WORKERS HAVE TO
PROTECT THE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION WITH WHICH THEY ARE ENTRUSTED-
WE HAVE INCREASED AND MUST INTENSIFY OUR EFFORTS TO UNCOVER
THOSE WHO VIOLATE THIS TRUST. WE ARE STUDYING PROCEDURES AND
POSSIBLY NEW LAWS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO
DECIDE ON THEIR OWN TO DISCLOSE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION-
IN CONCLUSION, I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT ALL OF US
HAVE A VERY SERIOUS CHALLENGE IN COPING WITH A RAPIDLY GROWING
TERRORIST THREAT- WE ARE EAGER TO DEVELOP BETTER UNDERSTANDING
AND CLOSER COOPERATION WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS AND OTHERS
IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPING
POLICIES AND EDUCATING OUR PEOPLE ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS DEVELOPMENT-
I PARTICULARLY APPLAUD AND ENCOURAGE THE INTEREST AND
EFFORTS OF MY GOOD FRIEND RABBI TANENBAUM AND OF THIS ORGANIZATION
TO IMPLEMENT THE PUBLIC EDUCATION ASPECTS OF VICE PRESIDENT BUSH'S
TASK FORCE REPORT ON COMBATTING TERRORISM-
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