PRESS STATEMENT OF WILLIAM H. WEBSTER REGARDING THE IRAN-CONTRA MATTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89T00142R000901360004-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2011
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: December 17, 1987
• Content Type: MISC

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PRESS STATEMENT OF WILLIAM H. WEBSTER REGARDING
THE IRAN-CONTRA MATTER
CIA Director William H. Webster announced today that he has completed his
study of a report prepared by a Special Counsel appointed by him to review the
role of the Agency and Agency personnel in the Iran-Contra matter. Director
Webster has disciplined those employees found to have engaged in improper
activities. Those actions included dismissals, demotions, and letters of
reprimand.
Webster has also initiated actions aimed at strengthening the
organizational structure of the Agency. These actions are described in a
section of the Report dealing with remedial measures taken by the Agency since
the Iran-Contra matter became public.
In particular, the Report describes steps taken by Director Webster to
strengthen the function and effectiveness of the CIA's Office of the Inspector
General (IG). These measures include steps to ensure that the IG's inspection
staff is drawn from a cross-section of people within the Agency. Furthermore,
assignment to the IG Staff will become an important career development
assignment enroute to more senior positions in the Agency. The size of the
IG's investigative staff will be increased, and the training and support
provided to that staff will be improved.
Guidelines have been drafted to govern the testimony of future Agency
witnesses when appearing before congressional committees, briefing individual
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congressional members or their staff, or providing written testimony to
Congress. The guidelines balance the protection of sources and methods with
the need to be candid and complete in all Agency dealings with Congress.
Director Webster also has initiated actions to strengthen senior
management review of covert activities. The covert action review process will
be institutionalized in Agency headquarters regulations. The Agency's senior
management must meet to review all proposed Findings and related documents
that are to be forwarded to the National Security Council. Senior management
also conducts a semi-annual review of each covert action program.
Other actions taken by Director Webster include the issuance of guidelines
for interagency intelligence production intended to foster an environment for
the maximum objectivity of intelligence assessments and to help insulate
intelligence analysis from political influence.
The Special Counsel commenced his review September 1, 1987. In compiling
the Report, the Special Counsel reviewed the findings of the Tower Commission,
the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the Congressional Iran-Contra
Committees, and relevant reports of the CIA Inspector General. The Special
Counsel did not have access to any materials or information developed during
the course of the investigation being conducted by Independent Counsel
Lawrence Walsh.
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The Report of the Special Counsel, which is classified, has been furnished
in its entirety to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and
the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. A summary of the Report's
conclusions regarding facts and information already made public by the Tower
Commission and the Iran-Contra Committees is attached.
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SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS
1. The Agency's first involvement in the Iranian initiative occurred in
the fall of 1985 when the Agency increased intelligence collection on certain
Iranian targets at the request of the NSC Staff. This assistance did not
violate any statutory provisions or Agency regulations.
2. In November 1985, an Agency proprietary transported HAWK missiles from
Israel to Iran. Agency assistance in connection with this flight was in
violation of an Agency regulation that requires DCI approval in advance of
assistance to the White House staff. Moreover, this assistance should not
have been undertaken in the absence of a Presidential Finding.
3. After a Presidential Finding was signed, the Agency provided
logistical and other assistance in connection with the transfer of TOW
missiles and HAWK missile spare parts to Iran and in connection with a number
of meetings between U.S. Government officials and representatives of Iran.
This assistance was appropriately authorized by the Finding. The Finding
instructed that the Agency not notify Congress of these activities.
4. Agency officers heard references to a possible diversion of funds to
the Contras as early as January 1986. These references were thought to be
implausible. During the summer of 1986, these officers were also aware of
Iranian complaints that they had been overcharged for the missiles. These
complaints raised concerns that the Iranians might cancel the operation. In
the fall of 1986, further information came to the attention of the officers
working on the initiative. This information was conveyed to the National
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Security Advisor. The evidence was not so strong that anyone concluded a
5. Two Agency field managers engaged in activities between September 1985
and February 1987 that violated Agency policy or legal guidance restricting
assistance to the Contras. The improper activities included assistance in
connection with private benefactor resupply flights, transporting Contra
supplies and equipment in Agency helicopters, and other logistical assistance
undertaken at a time when such assistance was prohibited. One Agency field
manager authorized his subordinates to engage in these improper activities.
The other field manager undertook the activities on his own. There is no
evidence in the record, however, that any improper or illegal activities were
engaged in by the overwhelming majority of Agency employees involved in the
Contra program. Moreover, CIA Headquarters was not aware that these
activities were taking place.
6. Two Agency HQS managers testified to Congress in a manner that was not
candid or forthcoming with respect to their knowledge of assistance to the
Contras.
7. Five Agency employees were not cooperative with or were not candid in
providing information during an Inspector General's investigation of these
matters.
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8. Despite the complexities caused by seven different pieces of
legislation dealing with Contra assistance during a five year period, HQS
guidance with respect to these statutory restrictions was generally clear and
often more conservative than required by the applicable statutes.
In announcing his decisions yesterday to Agency employees, Director
This has been a testing chapter in the history of the CIA. A number
of people who engaged in activities determined to be improper have
been disciplined. On the other hand, I am proud to note that
evidence in the record suggests that the overwhelming majority of
our employees acted in a professional manner within the policy and
legal guidance with which they were provided. I hope that the
actions I have announced today will put this chapter behind us, will
strengthen us as an organization and, with lessons learned, will
enable us to continue to conduct our important mission for the
American people.
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