CRISIS IN THE CIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000100160006-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 23, 2000
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: June 29, 1966
• Content Type: TRANS

ved For Release 2000/09/08 : CIA-
SP-1181
29 June 1966
The following is a full translation of an article by V. KASSIS,
entitled "Crisis in the CIA," which appeared in Izvestiya, 24 June
1966:
"There has been a reshuffling in the leadership of t %e US Central
Intelligence Agency. Admiral Raborn's post as Director of the 'sick
elephant' -- as the CIA is called in the US -- has been taken over by
his former deputy, Richard Helms.
"It is noteworthy that in December 1965 the Washington correspond.
ent of the St Louis Post Dispatch, R. Dadmen (transliterated from the
Russian], foresaw that something would happen within CIA.
"The brazen intervention by the US imperialists in the Dominican
Republic aroused a storm of indignation throughout the world. The key
figure of the intervention, Admiral Raborn, suffered a fiasco at that
time. As the US press said, he proved to be a rather 'unqualified
expert.'
"Nevertheless, to save face US leaders allegedly decided 'that the
Admiral would remain in his post for at least anouther year.' The fore-
cast turned out to be too optimistic. Raborn continued at his post for
half-a-year less.
"Was the failure of CIA activity in connection with US intervention
in the Dominican Republic the only reason for Raborn's dismissal from
the post? Of course not. In recent years a veritable reshuffle (game
of leap-frog) of directors has been going on in this super secret US
agency. Allen Dulles was replaced by John McCone, John McCone by William
Raborn, and now William Raborn by Richard Helms. The duty of creating
a reliable screen for the provocative operations of the US government w s
assigned to each of the above Cl.,', leaders. But each one of them, becau e
of his personal qualities and c.:.abilities, ruined one operation. after
another.
"Suffice it to recall the unsuccessful attempt at intervention
against revolutionary Cuba, the clumsy work of the CIA in South Vietnam
the endless intrigues in the Congo (Leopoldville), and the constant
failure of the 'sick elephant' i;: other countries.
"As one US senator expressed it, the CIA is taking too much upon
itself and giving poor justification for its billion dollar expenditure
In spite of this, according to the testimony of Senator Young, the agen y
is gradually becoming an invisible government in the US. Even the US p less
 Approved For Release 2000/09/08 : CIA-RDP75-00001 R000100160006-4
lately has increasingly expressed a note of indignation at the activities'
of the CIA, which is likened to a 'state within a state' and which plays
too great a role in determining US foreign policy.
"The present changes in CIA leadership were obviously called forth
by still another reason. Raborn has been replaced by Richard Helms, a
professional intelligence man. Washington sets great hopes on him and
expects him to prevent new CIA flops. But the point is that these flops
of the CIA take place not because of the persons who occupy the director's
chair, but because of the US's aggressive and adventuristic foreign policy
itself."