PROPOSED REMARKS BY WILLIAM H. WEBSTER DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BEFORE THE D.C. CIRCUIT JUDICIAL CONFERENCE WILLIAMSBURG. VA.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90M00005R000900050019-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: May 23, 1988
• Content Type: MISC

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1
OCA
r ?
TO:
OCA 88-1669
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Congressional Affairs
, Washington, D.C. 20505
Telephone: [phone]
?II
Mr. j' p;:mluci!tra
I
}p,
Selec fr ittee on Intelligence
Unite c States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
25 May 1988
Enclosed is a copy of the DCI's speech
that you requested.
Deputy Director, Senate Affairs
Office of Congressional Affairs
Enclosure
Distribution:
Orig - Addresseema - Ob?WgIst4Y
OCA/Senate/RTB:eb (25 May 88)
FORM, 53? OBSOLETE
2-86 I PREVIOUS
EDITIONS.
1401
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STAT
STAT
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PROPOSED REMARKS
BY
WILLIAM H. WEBSTER
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
BEFORE THE
D.C. CIRCUIT JUDICIAL CONFERENCE
WILLIAMSBURG, VA.
MAY 23, 1988
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GOOD MORNING. I WAS DELIGHTED WHEN RUTH ASKED ME TO
JOIN YOU FOR THIS CONFERENCE. IT'S A TREAT TO BE ABLE TO
VISIT WITH YOU, TO PLAY A LITTLE TENNIS, AND TO DISCUSS
MATTERS THAT CONCERN US.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT WEEK FOR ME: THURSDAY MARKS A
YEAR SINCE I WAS SWORN IN AS DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL
INTELLIGENCE. MY NINE YEARS AT THE FBI -- AS WELL AS A
LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE IN THE LAW -- HAVE CONVINCED ME
THAT THE INTEGRITY OF GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS CAN ONLY BE
MAINTAINED BY INSISTING UPON COMPLIANCE WITH OUR LAWS AND
RULES -- RULES IMPOSED TO ENSURE OUR CITIZENS THAT WE ARE
INDEED ACCOUNTABLE.
WHEN I CAME TO THE CIA, I SAID THAT I INTENDED TO WORK
CLOSELY WITH POLICYMAKERS TO PUT TRUTH INTO ACTION. FD
LIKE TO TALK TODAY ABOUT WHAT WE AT CIA HAVE DONE DURING
THIS RAST YEAR TO mi.r,E 2C;CD ON THAT PROMISE.
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A YEAR AGO, THE AGENCY WAS SUBJECTED TO THE MOST
SEARCHING INQUIRY INTO OUR PART IN WHAT HAS COME TO BE
KNOWN AS THE IRAN-CONTRA AFFAIR. I KNEW THAT HOW WE
RESPONDED TO THE FACTS REVEALED IN THE INQUIRIES INTO
IRAN-CONTRA COULD SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO
RECAPTURE THE TRUST WE DESERVED, RESIST INTOLERABLE NEW
LEGISLATIVE RESTRICTIONS, AND RETAIN THE RESOURCES NEEDED
TO CARRY OUT OUR ASSIGNMENTS, AT THE SAME TIME, I KNEW
THAT WHATEVER ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS WERE TAKEN MUST BE
JUST AND MUST BE BASED UPON OUR OWN EXISTING RULES -- NOT
IMPOSED FROM THE OUTSIDE AND NOT CARRIED OUT
PRECIPITIOUSLY TO APPEASE AN ANGRY CONGRESS OR CRITICAL
PRESS.
AFTER A CAREFUL INTERNAL REVIEW, I DETERMINED THAT AS
AN INSTITUTION WE HAD PERFORMED WELL -- THAT THERE WAS NO
SYSTEMIC DISRESPECT FOR AUTHORITY, RULES, AND GUIDANCE.
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BUT IT WAS ALSO APPARENT THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOME
VIOLATIONS OF AGENCY RULES. I ORDERED DISCIPLINARY
ACTIONS IN SEVERAL CASES. IN EACH CASE. DISCIPLINE WAS
BASED UPON SERIOUS VIOLATION OF EXISTING REGULATIONS OR
FAILING TO GIVE CANDID RESPONSES TO OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL
AND TO COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS CHARGED BY LAW WITH
OVERSIGHT OF OUR WORK.
PARTLY IN RESPONSE TO LEGITIMATE CRITICISM AND PARTLY
AS A RESULT OF OUR OWN INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS, WE HAVE MADE
A NUMBER OF MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR.
THESE INCLUDE NEW GUIDELINES FOR INTERNAL MONITORING AND
REVIEW OF COVERT OPERATIONS, NEW GUIDELINES FOR THOSE IN
CIA WHO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS, AND NEW GUIDELINES FOR
FORMULATING INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENTS WITHOUT POLITICAL
BIASES. I HAVE ALSO STRENGTHENED THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S
OFFICE BY BRINGING IN OUR MOST TALENTED SENIOR LEVEL
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INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY TO SERVE
ON THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S STAFF. AND I HAVE DETERMINED
THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HOLD THE RANK OF DEPUTY
DIRECTOR AND SHALL REPORT DIRECTLY TO ME.
I SEE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S CHARTER AS BROADER THAN
IT HAS BEEN BEFORE. IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL INSPECTION,
INVESTIGATION, AND AUDIT ACTIVITIES, I SEE THE INSPECTOR
GENERAL -- IN A POSITIVE, CONSTRUCTIVE SENSE -- DIRECTLY
INVOLVED IN IMPROVING OVERALL AGENCY MANAGEMENT. ENSURING
ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISCIPLINE, AND ENCOURAGING EVEN
GREATER QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
WILL ALSO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN DEVELOPING OUR TOP
MANAGERS AND LEADERS OF TOMORROW.
IN ADDITION, WE HAVE BROUGHT TOGETHER OPERATIONS
OFFICERS, ANALYSTS, AND SECURITY OFFICIALS IN A
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE CENTER. COUNTERINTELLIGENCE IS OF
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VITAL CONCERN TO OUR CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY EFFORTS.
AND WE HAVE MOVED TO ADDRESS THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.
ANOTHER GREAT CONCERN IS THE SECURITY OF OUR EMBASSIES
ABROAD. I HAVE ESTABLISHED A NEW INDEPENDENT OFFICE TO
REPORT TO ME ON SECURITY CONDITIONS OVERSEAS.
AND TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT OUR COLLECTION EFFORTS AND
ANALYSIS ARE RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF POLICYMAKERS, I
MEET EVERY OTHER WEEK WITH PRESIDENT REAGAN: AND WEEKLY
WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. AND THE
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT. I ALSO ATTEND
ALL NATIONAL SECURITY PLANNING GROUP MEETINGS AND CHAIR
THE NATIONAL FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE BOARD MEETINGS.
I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU NOW HOW SOME OF THOSE CHANGES WE
HAVE MADE AFFECT OUR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS. I'LL BEGIN
WITH COVERT ACTION, BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH COVERT ACTION
TRADITIONALLY CLAIMS A VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE
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INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S RESOURCES -- ONLY ABOUT 3 PERCENT
-- THESE ACTIVITIES ARE THE FOCUS OF THE GREATEST
CONGRESSIONAL AND PUBLIC ATTENTION. UNDER THE HUGHES RYAN
AMMENDMENT, THE PRESIDENT MUST FIND THAT EACH COVERT
ACTION IS IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY BEFORE THE
OPERATION CAN BE INITIATED. THE COVERT ACTION REVIEW
GROUP I HAVE ESTABLISHED MUST MEET TO REVIEW ALL PROPOSED
FINDINGS. AND IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO DETERMINE THAT
THE FINDING CAN BE DONE -- AND DONE IN A LAWFUL WAY. AND
WE HAVE TO BE SURE THAT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OUT ON THE
FIRING LINE, OUTSIDE THE PROTECTION OF OUR CONSTITUTION
AND OUR LAWS, IN MANY INSTANCES, CAN DO THEIR WORK IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLEXIBILITY THEY NEED. MOREOVER, THEY
MUST HAVE THE CLEAREST POSSIBLE TRAINING AND UNDERSTANDING
OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CIA AND TO THE COUNTRY.
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THE COVERT ACTION REVIEW GROUP I HAVE ESTABLISHED ASKS
THESE QUESTIONS: IS THE FINDING CONSISTENT WITH OVERT
UNITED STATES POLICY? WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES GOING TO
BE IF THE ACTIVITY IS PUBLICLY EXPOSED? IS IT CONSISTENT
WITH AMERICAN VALUES? AND WILL IT WORK? NOT ALL COVERT
ACTIVITIES WILL SUCCEED, BUT I BELIEVE IF SUBJECTED TO
THESE KINDS OF TESTS, AND THIS KIND OF MANAGEMENT, WE HAVE
THE BEST CHANCE OF GETTING THE MAXIMUM AND MOST EFFECTIVE
USE FROM OUR COVERT CABILITITY.
UNDER LAW IT IS OUR DUTY TO NOTIFY THE HOUSE AND
SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES -- IN A TIMELY FASHION --
OF ANY SIGNIFICANT INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES. THIS INCLUDES
ANY ACTIVITIES REQUIRING A PRESIDENTIAL FINDING. JUST
WHAT CONSTITUTES TIMELY IS A MATTER OF CONCERN BCTH TO
CONGRESS AND TO THE ADMINISTRATION. THE HOUSE IS
CONSIDERING AND THE SENATE HAS APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT
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WOULD REQUIRE NOTIFICATION OF A SPECIAL ACTIVITY TO
CONGRESS WITHIN 48 HOURS OF A PRESIDENTIAL FINDING.
I BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT WILL VETO LEGISLATION THAT
REQUIRES THE CIA TO NOTIFY CONGRESS OF ALL COVERT
OPERATIONS WITHIN 48 HOURS. THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL
QUESTION ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION. ADDITIONALLY, SOME
ALLOWANCE MUST BE MADE FOR THAT RARE CASE WHERE LIMITED
DELAY IN CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION IS CRITICAL TO
PRESERVE THE ABSOLUTE SECURITY OF AN OPERATION -- WHEN,
FOR EXAMPLE, LIVES ARE AT STAKE.
BUT THE CIA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CONGRESS IS CRUCIAL.
BECAUSE I KNOW OF THE NEED TO BE ABSOLUTELY CANDID WITH
CONGRESS, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT INTELLIGENCE
PROFESSIONALS HAVE TO PROTECT SOURCES AND METHODS, I HAVE
ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES GOVERNING OUR DEALINGS WITH
CONGRESS. AND I HAVE MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT IN
DEALING WITH CONGRESS THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR DECEPTION.
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THERE MAY BE SOME QUESTIONS THAT THE AGENCY OFFICIALS
WHO BRIEF CONGRESS WILL HAVE TO REFER BACK TO ME. I AM
PREPARED TO TAKE THE HEAT OR WORK OUT ARRANGEMENTS WITH
CONGRESS. BUT WE WILL NOT GIVE HALF ANSWERS OR
AROUND-THE-CORNER ANSWERS. THAT'S NOT THE WAY I OPERATE.
IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, WE WILL SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND
THAT WE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION AT THIS TIME. BUT WE
WILL NOT LEAVE THE CONGRESS FEELING THAT IN SOME WAY WE
HAVE BEEN DISINGENUOUS WITH THEM. I THINK TENSION BETWEEN
CONGRESS AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WILL ALWAYS EXIST, BUT
WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK IT OUT IF THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF
TRUST IN THE HONESTY OF THE STATEMENTS WE MAKE.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES
EXERCISED BY CONGRESS ARE BOTH NECESSARY AND BENEFICIAL.
THERE MUST BE A DEPENDABLE SYSTEM OF OVERSIGHT AND
ACCOUNTABILITY THAT BUILDS, RATHER THAN ERODES, TRUST
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BETWEEN THOSE WHO HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE RESPONSIBILITY AND
THOSE WHO ARE THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
WE PROVIDE A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMATION TO CONGRESS.
LAST YEAR ALONE WE GAVE OVER 1.000 BRIEFINGS TO CONGRESS
ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS. THESE TOPICS INCLUDE ARMS
CONTROL, SOVIET WEAPONS, THE PERSIAN GULF SITUATION, THE
CONFLICTS IN CENTRAL AMERICA, AND EVEN THE SPREAD OF AIDS
IN AFRICA.
THE INFORMATION WE PROVIDE TO CONGRESS AND
POLICYMAKERS MUST BE DEVELOPED IN AN OBJECTIVE WAY. THE
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE PEOPLE WHO
ANALYZE INFORMATION MUST BE SEEN AS GIVING THE BEST
ESTIMATES, NOT TO "COOK THE BOOKS" OR TO SHAPE OR
INFLUENCE POLICY, BUT TO PROVIDE POLICYMAKERS WITH THE
KIND OF INFORMATION UPON WHICH THEY CAN MAKE WISE
DECISIONS IN THE INTERESTS OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.
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BECAUSE THE QUALITY AND OBJECTIVITY OF THE
INTELLIGENCE WE PROVIDE IS SO IMPORTANT, WE HAVE AND WILL
CONTINUE TO "TELL IT LIKE IT IS " AVOIDING BIAS AS MUCH AS
WE CAN. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN, POLICYMAKERS MAY
NOT LIKE THE MESSAGE THEY HEAR FROM US. ESPECIALLY IF THEY
HAVE A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW. MY POSITION IS THAT IN
THE PREPARATION OF INTELLIGENCE JUDGMENTS, PARTICULARLY
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATES, WE WILL PROVIDE THEM FOR
THE USE OF POLICYMAKERS. THEY CAN BE USED IN WHOLE OR IN
PART. THEY CAN BE IGNORED, TORN UP, OR THROWN AWAY. BUT
THEY CANNOT BE CHANGED.
I THINK THIS KIND OF INSISTENCE ON OBJECTIVITY MAY BE
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT I COULD
MAKE IN GALVANIZING A COHESIVE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY
WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL
ANALYST OR PROGRAM MANAGERS.
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I HAVE FREQUENTLY MADE THE POINT THAT IN THIS
ORGANIZATION. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE RISKS. BUT THE
RISKS HAVE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN KINDS OF
PRINCIPLES -- PRINCIPLES WITH WHICH THE PUBLIC IS
COMFORTABLE. THE RISKS MUST NOT PUT US AFOUL OF THE
CONSTITUTION OR OUR LAWS.
AMERICANS, ABOVE ALL, NEED TO BELIEVE THAT THE
INSTITUTIONS AND LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY ARE WORKING FOR THEM
-- NOT AGAINST THEM. THEY NEED TO BELIEVE THAT LAWS ARE
APPLIED FAIRLY AND CONSISTENTLY, AND THAT THERE IS AN
ADEQUATE SYSTEM OF REDRESS. THEY ALSO NEED TO BELIEVE
THAT THEIR GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIVE, ACCOUNTABLE. AND NOT
ABOVE THE LAW.
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES DURING MY CAREER WHEN
I'VE BEEN CALLED TO LEAVE THE PRIVATE PRACTICE OF LAW.
ALTHOUGH I STILL THINK I'M ON LOAN -- AND IT'S GETTING TO
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BE A LONG LOAN. AND EVERY TIME I'VE BEEN ASKED TO MOVE TO
SOMETHING ELSE. I'VE LEARNED A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE
DIMENSIONS OF THE LAW AS IT APPLIES TO OUR CITIZENS. IN
THIS NEW ASSIGNMENT I HAVE NOT LEFT THE LAW. IT IS VERY
MUCH A PART OF THIS ADVENTURE.
AS I WAS COMING HERE TODAY, I WAS THINKING OF A
PICTURE AND QUOTATION THAT APPEARED ON THE COVER OF THE
ST. LOUIS BAR JOURNAL WHEN I WAS ITS EDITOR IN THE EARLY
1950'S. THE LAW STUDENT IN THE PICTURE WAS LOOKING OFF
INTO THE FUTURE. AND THE QUOTATION, WHICH I PERSONALLY
SELECTED FROM JUDGE LEARNED HAND, SAID, "DESCENDED TO US,
IN SOME PART MOLDED BY OUR HANDS, PASSED ON TO SUCCEEDING
GENERATIONS WITH REVERENCE AND WITH PRIDE, WE AT ONCE ITS
SERVANTS AND ITS MASTERS, RENEW OUR FEALTY TO THE LAW."
WONDERFUL WORDS.
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.,
I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU
TODAY ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE THIS PAST YEAR AT THE CIA,
AND TO SHARE WITH YOU OUR REAFFIRMATION TO THE RULE OF
LAW.
1H
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