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

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89T00142R000901360031-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2011
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: December 17, 1987
• Content Type: MISC

Approved For Release 2011/09/09: CIA-RDP89T00142R000901360031-7
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 thg 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.
Approved For Release 2011/09/09: CIA-RDP89T00142R000901360031-7