ALLEGATIONS OF CIA DOMESTIC ACTIVITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-281-1-2-6
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: May 21, 2010
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: January 4, 1975
• Content Type: MEMO

ME No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/05/21 : LOC-HAK-281-1-2-6
President: I will consider it. Secondly, though, the commission will look
at the Colby report and, thirdly, make recommendations to me. It is al.good
commission. I hope they will stay within their charter, but in this climate,
we can't guarantee it. It would be tragic if it went beyond it, because the
CIA needs to remain a strong and viable agency. It would be a shame if
the public uproar forced us to go beyond and to damage the integrity of the
CIA.
I automatically assume what yo
proved otherwise.
did was right, unless it's
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/05/21 : LOC-HAK-281-1-2-6
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
PARTICIPANTS:
OGC Has
Reviewed
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
DATE AND TIME:
President Ford
Richard Helms, Ambassador to Iran,
former CIA Director
John O. Marsh, Counsellor to the President
Philip W. Buchen, Counsel to the President
Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant
to the President for National Security Affairs
Saturday - January 4, 1975
12:3 7 - 1: 00 p. m.
The Oval Office
The White House
MORI/CDF
C03195587
Allegations of CIA Domestic Activities
-President: Dick, you and I have known each other a long time. I have only
the most admiration for you and for your work. Frankly, we are in a mess.
I want you to tell me whatever you want. I believe the CIA is essential to
the country. It has to exist and. perform its functions. We will have a,
Blue Ribbon Panel look into these charges. It will investigate the domestic
activities of the CIA.
Helms: Why not add the FBI? They overlap, and you may as well,get to
the bottom of it.
THE WHITE HOUSE
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/05/21 : LOC-HAK-281-1-2-6
Helms: I have been in the service 32 years. At the end all one has is a
small pension. and a reputation -- if any. I testified in Watergate; I didn't
dump on President Nixon and I stuck to the truth. I intend to fight this
matter. I welcome a Blue Ribbon Panel.
At the base is Congressional oversight. No Congress wants
to join hands with the Bay of Pigs, etcetera; it's bad politics. The CIA
is the President's creature.
If allegations have been made to Justice, a lot of dead cats
will come out. I intend to defend myself. I don't know everything which
went on in the Agency; maybe no one really does. But I know enough to
say that if the dead cats come out, I will participate. I think the mood of
the country is ghastly. I feel deeply for you, Mr. President. I am a
member of your team and I don't intend to foul the nest if I can avoid it.
The basic allegation -- that we spied on dissidents - stemmed
from the charge to me to discover if there was any foreign connection to
the dissidents. I never permitted any spying on any Congressmen. The
business of the files is ridiculous; if you get a name, of course you make
.a record and open a file in case it is relevant thereafter.
President: I have no doubt about your total integrity, and, in fact you did
a good job running the Agency. What we are trying to do is look into the
charges and protect the functions of the Agency with a Blue Ribbon group
which will operate responsibly. I hope you understand my position. You
have my pledge that everything I do will be straightforward. I plan no
witch hunt, but in this environment I don't know if I can control it.
Helms: I will help ,you:, Mr. President. I believe in the Agency and its
mission.
SECRET/XGDS
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/05/21 : LOC-HAK-281-1-2-6