RECOMMENDATIONS OF ADMIRAL ANDERSON CONCERNING THE WHITE HOUSE ROLE IN THE INTELLIGENCE INVESTIGATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 29, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 14, 1975
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
PADENT ns SEEN .
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASH IN GTO N
A WN4STRATiy
?
? February 14,1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:... THE PRESIDENT
FROM: t
SUBJECT:
'BRENT SCOWCROFT
Recommendations of Admiral Anderson
Concerning the White House Role in the
Intelligence Investigations
In the letter at Tab A, Admiral Anderson, Chairman of the Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board, reports the concern of Board members
that the on-going investigations "may inappropriately engage the
Director of Central Intelligence and the intelligence community as
spokesmen for the Executive and as interpreters of the National
Security Act of 1947." He also believes that the investigations pose
the risk of public revelation of sensitive intelligence programs which
could jeopardize future collection efforts. To guard against these
risks the Admiral recommends that a small White House element be
established to serve as a focal point for the examination of legal and
security issues with respect to both past activities and proposed
legislation, and also to coordinate public relations policy.
The Admiral's comments are thoughtful and constructive. In the
months ahead it will be difficult, in the face of strong criticism, to
maintain a strong intelligence system. It will be very important that
legitimate intelligence activities in support of national security and
foreign policy objectives be forthrightly defended.
Since the investigations began, I have kept in close touch with Director
Colby concerning his participation in the hearings to include prelimin-
ary review of his testimony. In addition, the Director and I have met
with Philip Buchen to consider how best to respond to the Committees'
inquiries while safeguarding the integrity of our institutions. I believe
this informal coordination is working well. In addition, Phil intends
to recruit someone who can devote full time to the legal aspects and
coordination of agency activities in response to the investigation. -
We intend to continue our efforts to monitor the Committees' activities
NSS Review Completed.
ADMINISTRATIVELY?CONFI
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
" No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL -
Executive branch testimony. Should a more formal mechanism appear
necessary in the future, a recommendation will be forwarded for your
consideration.
I have expressed appreciation in your behalf to Admiral Anderson for
his letter and suggestions. No further action is required at?this time.
Attachment
?
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
CONFIDENIM
. IP ?
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
PRESIDENT'S FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY BOARD
12 February 1975
Dear Mr. President:
At its February meeting, your Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
focused on the crisis of confidence which threatens to envelop the
intelligence community. In this connection, we met with Director of
Central Intelligence Colby and with your Counsel, Mr. Suchen.
We believe that there is an informal consensus which perceives that the
central issue must be how to maintain a strong intelligence community
and improve its product, while at the same time assuring the nation that
there is adequate control and oversight. Yet the investigations of the
intelligence community will be prolonged; they will involve complex legal
and interpretive issues, and may inappropriately engage the DCI and the
intelligence community as spokesmen for the Executive and as interpreters
of the National Security Act of 1947. With all of this is the danger that
paldic u. beusli.lve iiit1116exice prugraxns could seriously
jeopardize future collection.
In the belief that you, Mr. President, may have to play a role in resolving
some of these issues, we strongly recommend the establishment of a
small White House element, to serve as a focal point at the policy level
for the examination of legal and security issues with respect to both past
activities and proposed legislation governing the intelligence community.
This element might also serve to coordinate public relations policy but,
perhaps most importantly, it would be available to provide you with an
independent source of legal research and judgment on national security
issues as they unfold in the course of the pending investigations.
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
CONFIDENTIAL
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
Respectfully yours,
-
(17
...- ? 4 - c - r - i Ft
cc.
George W. Anderson, Jr.
. Admiral, USN (Ret.)
Chairman
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
/
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL February-, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM: BRENT SCOWCROFT
SUBjECT: Recommendations of Admiral Anderson
Concerning the White House Role in the
Intelligence Investigations.
In the letter at Tab A, Admixal Anderson, Chairman of the Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board, reports the concern of Beard members
that the on-going investigations "may inappropriately engage the
Director of Central Intelligence and the intelligence community as
spokesmen for the Executive and as interpreters of the National
Security Act of 1947." He also believes that the investigations pose
the risk of public revelation of sensitive intelligence programs which
could jeopardize future collection efforts. To guard against these
risks the Admiral recommends that a small White House element be
established to serve as a focal point for the examination of legal and
security issues with respect to both past activities and proposed legis-
lation, and also to coordinate public relations policy.
The Admiral' s comments are thoughtful and constructive. In the
months ahead it will be difficult, in the face of strong criticism, to
maintain a strong intelligence system. It will be very important that
legitimate intelligence activities in support of national security and
policy objectives be forthrightly defended.
Since the inveetigations began, we have kept in close touch with Director
Colby concerning his participation in the hearing* to include preliminary
review of his testimony. In addition, the Director and I met with Philip
Suchen to consider how best to respond to the Committees' inquiries
while safeguarding the integrity of our institutions. This informal
coordination is working well and Secretary Kissinger intends to continue
it upon his return. In addition, Phil plans to recruit someone who
can devote full time to the legal aspects and coordination of agency
activities in response to the investigation. We intend to continue
our efforts to monitor the Committee.' activitiedillind coordinate
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1
W .
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDETXAL
Executive branch testimony. Should a more formal mechanism appear
necessary in the future, a recommendation will be forwarded for your
consideration.
I have expressed appreciation in your behalf to Admiral Anderson for
his letter and suggestions. No further action is required at this time.
Attachment
ADMXNX STRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/10/24: LOC-HAK-62-3-8-1