EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS BY GEORGE BUSH DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE BEFORE THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL HARTFORD, CONN.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: October 12, 1976
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS
BY
GEORGE BUSH
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
BEFORE
THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
HARTFORD, CONN.
12 OCTOBER 1976
(FOR RELEASE AT 5 P.M.)
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
George Bush, Director of Central Intelligence, said
today that the United States has an intelligence capability
and warning system "second to none in the world" but'that
there is a continuing concern about "senseless disclosures"
that jeopardize the American intelligence effort.
In a talk prepared for delivery before the World Affairs
Council at Hartford, Conn., Mr. Bush said: "I can assure
you we have an intelligence capability second to none in the
world. We have an alert and warning system that will
prevent any 'Pearl Harbor' surprises." But he added that
protection of "genuine intelligence secrets" is vital to
the security of America.
Mr. Bush spoke of the need for a "realistic appreciation
by all Americans of the complex nature of secrecy in a free
and open society, where in the absence of legal sanctions it
is the responsibility of the individual -- whether
government official, journalist or concerned citizen -- to
balance carefully the legitimate demands of national defense
with the exercise of first amendment rights."
Mr. Bush said that when sensitive intelligence information
is disclosed the lives of Americans may be jeopardized. He
added: "Foreign governments may wonder whether we will ever
be able to hold on to intelligence secrets and are reluctant
to share their-own protected information which is often
needed to supplement our knowledge."
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
The Central Intelligence Director, speaking after
almost nine months in office, said that the Executive
Order on the intelligence community issued by President
Ford in February 1976 had "already proved significant" in
improving the management of the government's intelligence
agencies. He said it was a "remarkable document" in that
it set down "rules, openly and publicly, by which the United
States conducts a vital, difficult and necessarily partially
secret function" and at the same time expressed "the
determination of Americans to permit no governmental function
to extend beyond the limits of established national interest."
Mr. Bush said the CIA is abiding by the directives of the
President and by its own administrative regulations and "we
will not abuse our authority."
Mr. Bush said one of his continuing concerns is the lack
of knowledge about what the CIA does and its important role
in ensuring national security. He mentioned the Agency's
ivoark:in combating international terrorism and international
narcotics trafficking as among the kinds of things on which
modern intelligence must report.
"I certainly do not disagree with the need for effective
oversight by Congress of intelligence activities," he said,
"nor do I take issue with responsible comment in the media. But
I certainly take issue with those who take an irresponsible
attitude and who,'under the guise of news reporting, circulate
misinformation which degrades the work of loyal and dedicated
intelligence officers and analysts. I believe the American
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
public deserves more than this kind of superficial treatment."
Mr. Bush said he was against "overclassification" and
is working to make certain that "secret stamps are never
used to obscure failures, disguise mistakes, or cover up
abuses." But, he emphasized, "genuine intelligence secrets"
must be protected. He stressed:' "The purpose of secrecy
is not to keep knowledge from the people but to protect our
security."
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000502300003-6
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