REFERENCES TO CIA IN 29 JULY IRAN/CONTRA HEARING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89G00643R001300120002-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 2011
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: July 30, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/08: CIA-RDP89GO0643R001300120002-8
DATE
TRANSMITTAL SLIP
3 0 UL 193
TO: DDA
ROOM NO.
BUILDING
REMARKS:
//
FROM:
D/OCA
ROOM NO.
BUILDING
7D43
H s
1 FEB 56 24 1 WHICH MAY BE USED.
Nil
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/08: CIA-RDP89GO0643R001300120002-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/08: CIA-RDP89GO0643R001300120002-8
Central Intelligence Agency
DIRECTOR OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS
OCA 87-3209
30 July 1987
NOTE FOR: The Director.
The Deputy Director
Executive Director
Deputy Director for Administration
Deputy Director for Operations
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
Comptroller
Inspector General
General Counsel
Director of Public Affairs
Counselor to the DCI
Chief, Central American Task Force,
Directorate of Operations
Chief, Near East/South Asia,
Directorate oOperations
SUBJECT: References to CIA in 29 July Iran/Contra Hearing
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/08: CIA-RDP89GO0643R001300120002-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/08: CIA-RDP89GO0643R001300120002-8
Subject: Major References to CIA in Testimony of Edwin Meese on 29 July 1987
Rudman states that he wants'to clarify the'record on Casey, noting that
the only evidence that Casey had knowledge of the diversion is North's recent
testimony to the Committees. Rudman notes that it is 'curious' that North has
only raised this since Casey's death. Meese expresses appreciation that
Rudman has made this point and says that people shouldn't make "assumptions"
about Casey's role when he is not here to defend himself (1305 hrs).
Mitchell asks Meese who he believes has told the truth about Casey's
knowledge of the diversion-North or Casey. Meese responds that he believes
Casey's statements to him about having no knowledge of the diversion. He
bases this conclusion on North's statement to Meese last November that only
North, Poindexter and McFarlane were aware of the diversion; in this regard,
Meese notes this statement was made at a time when Casey was alive and no
criminal inquiry was ongoing, so Meese places probative value on that
statement (1405 hrs).
Trible claims that initially in the Administration the Attorney General
was involved in the Finding review but that he was ejected at the request of
the NSC and the CIA. Meese responds by saying that negotiations are underway
with Congress to improve the covert action review and'approval procedures.
In framing a question for Meese, Trible states that there were
thirty-three (33) Findings in the Reagan Administration and that the Attorney
General did not participate in sixteen(16). (1620 hrs).
In response to questions from Stokes, Meese repeats his view that he does
not think Casey would have lied to him about his knowledge of the diversion.
He also says that if Casey had known about it, he finds it hard to believe
that he would not have sought Presidential approval. Finally, he says it
would have been "uncharacteristic" for Casey to have suggested, as North
claimed, that Poindexter should "take the fall." (1750 hrs)
Late in the proceedings, Rodino raised once again the issue of the
conversation between Meese and Judge Webster about whether the Criminal
Division should have been involved in the initial fact-finding inquiry.
Rodino read from portions of Judge Webster's DCI confirmation hearing
transcript to support his contention that the conversation was "casual." This
prompted Representative McCollum a few minutes later to read into the. record a
longer excerpt from the transcript in order to show that Judge Webster has
maintained his position that it would have been inappropriate to have involved
the Criminal Division. (1910-1920 hrs)
Analysis
This was a long, tedious day of testimony that did not end until
7:30 p.m. Nothing new or startling was raised as Meese remained largely
placid and dogged in defending his actions. The only noteworthy aspect of the
testimony was his strong defense of Casey's integrity and reputation. Meese
has been the first witness to flatly reject North's testimony that Casey knew
of and approved the diversion' scheme.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/08: CIA-RDP89GO0643R001300120002-8