CIA HEAD WINS SENATE DOVES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000100040013-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 10, 2000
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: December 3, 1969
• Content Type: OPEN

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Approved For Release 2000/05/24: CIA-RDP75-00001 R00010004001
INSIDE WASHINGTON
By Robert S. Allen.and John A. Goldsmith
Release WEDNESDAY,
By Robert S. Allen and John A. Goldsmith
CIA Head Wise
Senate Doves
Washington, Dec. 3: It is hard to believe, but Richard Helms, director of
of the much-criticized Central Intelligence Agency, has become a darling of the
Senate dovecote.
A career intelligence of-Eicer,.with CIA since its.founding in 1947, Nelms
was named director by President Johnson in 1966. President Nixon renewed the
appointment early this year.
In subordinate posts Helms had seen CTA blamed abroad and at home,,for goofs
of all proportions. He served under two colorful and much-publicized directors
of central intelligence, gentleman-spy Allen W. Dulles. and hard-driving in-
dustrialist John A. McCone.
Now it is being said -- and by the most critical of the Senate doves --
that career-man Helms, has brought a new respectability to the quiet campus-like
CIA headquarters in nearby Langley, Va..
Exhibit A in this regard is Sen. Mike Mansfield, Mont., the Senate Demo-
?cratic leader. Mansfield has been a frequent critic of Vietnam policies and of
other: aspects of national security planning by two administrations.
years Mansfield has,in addition, been a leader of a so-far unsuccessful
drive to apply a tighter congressional oversight to CIA activities. Yet Mans-
field says Helms "has brought a respectability end integrity to the CIA...and
given it the kind of standing which it lacked prior to the time he took over.
"I must say, like all those who have come in contact with him, I have been
tremendously impressed. I think he is by far the beat director the CIA has
ever had. Because of Mr. Helms that agency's integrity and standing have in-
creased considerably, at least in the congressional community," says Mansfield.
ALSO FULBRIGHT -- Mansfield made those comments in the Senate's secret
debate on the ABM Safeguard system weeks ago. The transcript of that debate,
censored and reviewed, was made public only last woke CIA data was quoted by
both sides in the secret discussion, but Safeguard opponents stressed the
agency's finding, made without further evaluation or comparison, that Russia
had suspended work on its anti-missile system.
In the same debate similar views were expressed by-the Senate's super-dove,
Chairman J. William Fulbright, D-Ark., of the Foreign Relations Committee. Ful-
bright has frequently complained that ill-timed (and ill"fated) CIA operations,
such as the U-2 incident, have harmed U.S. foreign relations.
According to Fuibright, Helms' ABM appraisal "convinced me he was a com-
petent man who was not swayed by any outside influence;. that he was giving us
the nearest to an honest assessment of all the combined forces of the intelli-
gence community.
"He,has given the committees... the best available . information. That is
what inspired in us confidence and trust in the integrity,?honesty-.and good
judgment of. Mr. Helms," said Fulbright.
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CPYRGHT
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Helms and the CIA have also had another recent accolade from Fulbright,
w to sharply criticized the clandestine U.S. involvement in Laos (which is
o erased by CIA), but said he does not blame Helms because the intelligence
b ss was operating under instructions from higher authority.
"APP ROPRIATE OFFICIALS" -- Helms has always enjoyed the confidence of the
rather hawkish senior members of the House and Senate who ride herd on CIA
operations through special intelligence subcommittees.. There is therefore,
real significance in his present high standing among the agency's long-time
ritics.
He has, in the first place, made it clear that, as the nation's top in-
elligence officer, he will provide the beat possible reading, without bias an
ithout trying to evaluate events abroad against developments (weapon or other
ise) in the United States. In short, Helms will provide the beat available
basis for U.S. policies without trying to make them.
CIA critics were never sure that Dulles and McCone were willing to stop
it that.
With respect to CIA's operational responsibilities, those shadowy clan-
destine activities which have provoked most of CIA's criticism over the years
elns has carefully lived up to a pledge made during his Senate confirmation
earings in 1966:
"Sir," said Helms on that occasion, "the Central Intelligence Agency tak
no.-actions without approval from the appropriate officials of the U.S. Govern
and they are not in the CIA."
After more than three years, CIA's critics are beginning to believe him
(All Rights Reserved)
From Publishers-Hall Syndicate
30 East 42nd Street, New-York, New York 10017
anent,
Approved For Release 2000/05/24: CIA-RDP75-00001 R000100040013-9