STATE DEPARTMENT DENIES RUSK INTERFERED IN OUSTER OF OTEPKA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000600040087-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 15, 1998
• Sequence Number: 87
• Publication Date: December 22, 1963
• Content Type: NSPR

NEV"' YORK TIMES
DEC 2 2 1963
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
State Department Denies Rusk
Interfered in Ouster of Otepka
FOIAb3b
aria{i .... .....,.. ----
presented when' misleading `and
distorted information is passed
by sources acting irresponsibly."
It described as "absolutely
false" any suggestion that Mr.
Rusk "has interfered in the
normal administrative proce-
dures" in the Otepka case.
'Mr. Otepka has appealed his
dismissal as chief of the
division of Evaluations of
Security .Information. His case
may eventually go to Mr. Rusk
for review. The Secretary has
the authority to reverse the
the decision of his subordinates.
Mr. Crockett, according tol
by Mr. Cramer.
mho department said
WASHINGTON, Dec. fle. rfiemoran C 71
(UPI) ramer, tuii security offs-1
hat Mr. Rusk had saidf
- 77= C. Cramer today of issuing "dill sweep the place clean"
tortions, inaccuracies and mthe department of anyl
leading references" about ees disloyal to the
sc cu sty division and the activi- Secre ary.
tirof Secretary of State Dean Th department said Mr.
Croe tt "made 4o reference to
The department said the Fldr- swee 'ng the place clean" nor
ida{Republican had used "dis- was ere any reference to the
totted information" from irre- Otep a case except, "the fact
spofisible sources when he in t e normal adinistrative
char ed that Mr. Rusk by- proce ses."
passed proper administrative gency Denies Charges
procedure to secure the recent
ouster of Otto F. Otepka, Be Thirkield, the depart-
security officer. Mr. Otepka was ment press officer, said he
charged with passing confiders had en authorized to say that:
itial information to unauthorized Its security office "is not in-
persons. vesti ation the employes of thel
The department also dense Sena e Internal Security sub-
Mr Cramer's assertion"that it com ittee."
security officers were engage " e department is not in-
iin investigating members of th vesti sting psychological test-
staff of the Senate Internal Be ing 1 aks.'
curity subcommittee. Mr. Ot " no time did Mr. Crockett
epka is alleged to have give say here is a `second under-
the information to the su grou d' in the office of security."
committee. Department state Al the charges were con-
The the memorandum Mr.
ment said: Cra er said he received.
"It is regrettable that th M .!Crockett, the department
Congressman did not comet stat cent said, called together
the -department for verificatio the security officers "for the
of the Information passed t pu se of expressing to them
him by a' source he has not ide the Secretary's confidence in
tified." 4 the Department's security:
'Confidential' Memo Cited fore s.
- On s? he security chiefs were
sedwhathat 40 lleysM4'aid . was a Cs "co r told that if there were policy:
lease
fidential memorandum" from a pro ems on which they or their
sub rdinate employes could not
"unimpeachable source" d get' tisfaction from their im-
of secu a meetthg on Nov. ate superiors, Crocket was
liar sec J. urity Crockkett, ett, officers
deputy with Wi ty anle n- e r to have such information
l
secretary of state for adminand would even arrange for
~
tra~tion. m ings y/ith the Secretary to ,
'The meeting took place,' a res ve such problems if neces-'
State Department said, but sa the department declared.l?
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP75-00149R000600040087-0