PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS RESPONSIVE TO THE IRAN-CONTRA INVESTIGATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 21, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 27, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
ROUTING AND TRANSMITTAL SUP
Date
27 Apr 87
TO: (Nam% office symbol, room number,
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REMARKS
6. CMS/DA
7. DDA/Pegistry
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DO NOT use this form as a RECORD of approvals, concurrences, disposals,
clearances, and similar actions
FROM: (Name, org. symbol. Agency/Post)
Room No.?Bldg.
Phone No:
5041-102 , OPTIONAL FORM 41 (Rev. 7-76)
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
SUBJECT: (Optional)
Preservation of Documents Responsiv6 to the Iran-Contra Investigation
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
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?Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21: CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
? ?0
23 April 1987
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director
Director, Intelligence Community Staff
Deputy Director for Administration
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Deputy Director for Operations
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
Chairman, National Intelligence Council
General Counsel
Inspector General
Director, Office of Legislative Liaison
Comptroller
Executive Secretary
Director, Public Affairs Office
FROM: Acting Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Preservation of Documents Responsive to the
Iran-Contra Investigation
1. Recently, the Independent Counsel wrote me a letter
expressing concern that certain handwritten notes relevant to
his Iran-Contra investigation had been destroyed. He asked me
once again to instruct our employee's concerning this matter and
to take additional steps to ensure that my instructions are
strictly followed. See his attached letter.
2. Over the past several months, we have issued two
Employee Bulletins and one Headquarters Notice instructing our
employees to preserve any responsive materials (tapes,
documents, notes, etc.) and to suspend standard destruction
procedures for documents that might be responsive to the
criminal investigation being conducted by the Independent
Counsel and other investigations regarding the Iran-Contra
affair.
3. I agree, nevertheless, with the Independent Counsel
that the importance of strict compliance with our previous
directions concerning preservation of documents should be
reemphasized. I expect each of you to remind your employees
that these directives must be taken literally and that no
relevant records, regardless of their form, may be destroyed.
In addition, I urge you to take any additional steps necessary
to minimize the possibility that the incident that prompted the
Independent Counsel's letter will reoccur.
AIUO When Separated
From Attachment
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
SECRET
SUBJECT: Preservation of Documents Responsive to the
Iran-Contra Investigation
4. Fortunately, in the circumstances that gave rise to the
letter of the Independent Counsel, the particular handwritten
notes in question had been shown to a staffer assigned to the
Independent Counsel, by CIA and explained to him. Moreover,
the notes apparently were destroyed only after a more complete
memorandum detailing the same subject matter had been prepared.
5. To date, our employees have responded remarkably well
with respect to the Iran investigations and should be applauded
for their support and tireless efforts in these endeavors. We
must avoid any action which impugns the good faith of the
Agency or our employees in cooperating with these
investigations.
Attachment
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8 ??
SE
OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT COUNSEL
SUITE 701
555 THIRTEENTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004
[phone]
April 15, 1987
Honorable Robert Gates
Acting Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Langley, Virginia
Dear Mr. Gates:
We were advised late last week by the Inspector General that
a set of handwritten notes, related to our investigation, were
destroyed by an inspector within the Office of Inspector General.
The purpose of this letter is not to address this specific
act. An investigation will be conducted and the circumstances of
the destruction ascertained. Rather, the purpose of this letter
is to advise you that we view the matter of the destruction of
any records relating to this investigation as a very serious and
disturbing act.
I know that you are sensitive to these concerns and have
previously instructed your employees to preserve tact all records
relating to our investigation. I ask you to once again instruct
your employees concerning this matter, and to take whatever
additional steps are necessary to insure that your instructions
are strictly followed. Associate Counsel Randy Bellows has
already discussed the problem with General Counsel Doherty and
Inspector General Hauver.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Lawrence E. Walsh
Independent Counsel
CLASSIFIED BY: George Litzenberg. Jr.
DECLASSIFY ON: OADR
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/21 : CIA-RDP89G00643R001300130001-8