LETTER TO MR. WILLIAM E. COLBY FROM FRANK CHURCH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP77M00144R000400040023-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 4, 2003
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: November 14, 1975
• Content Type: LETTER

"`l. A. HART, MICIApprdv lAE 'MIP s N 004/01/05: CIA-RDP77M00144R000400040023-2
' -_ D. I:UDOLESTON, KY. CHARLES MCC. MATHIAS, JR., M.D.
=.."i!C R^,4N, N.C. R:CHA.RO S. SCHWEIKE;t, PA,
WILLIAM G. MILLER, STAFF DIRECTOR
1-RCCOERICK A. O. SCHWARZ, JR., CHIFP COUNSEL
CURTIS R. SMOTHERS, MINORITY COUNSEL
'41:1 e .-faf .mate q
SELECT COMMITTEE TO I% ~7~~ 6~
STUDY GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS WITH
RESPECT TO INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES
(rUR SUANT TO S. RES. 21, PATH CONGRESS)
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510
November 14, 1975
Mr. William E. Colby
Director of Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C.
1z
Dear Mr. Colby:
On November 13 the Committee voted without objection
to undertake a two-day public hearing on Chile. These
hearings are now scheduled.for December 4 and 5. By this
letter the Committee invites you to appear as. a witness
on the morning of December 4.
Mr. Director, I want you to know of the great import-
ance I attach to your appearance before the Committee on
this issue. The nature and extent of American involvement
in the internal affairs of Chile over the past 10 years
remain both shrouded in secrecy and driven -- if not dis-
torted -- by rumor and misstatement, The Select Committee
has neither created nor contributed to this situation. The
Committee is of the view that it is necessary to set the
record straight and educate the public on vital questions
concerning the use of covert action in a democratic society.
You have told us on a number of occasions that. the
Agency has taken "bum raps" from time to time because of
its activities. I believe very strongly that a public hear-
ing on Chile, focusing on the facts and the issue of the
control and management of American covert activities in
Chile will give the public the opportunity to see that the
Agency was under the firm direction fc' the President and
his chief advisers. I can assure you that the Committee
will not expose sensitive sources and methods of intelli-
gence operations. Its main interest is to go to the core
issue of why certain operations were undertaken and how
these actions were considered and directed.
CRC 10/14/2003
Approved For Release 2004/01/05 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000400040623-2
 Approved For Release 2004/01/05 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000400040023-2
Mr. William E. Colby
Page Two
November 14, 1975
In all frankness, I must say that it is my view that
it would be a disservice to the public and-perhaps to the
Central Intelligence Agency itself if you should forego
the opportunity to speak to these issues. I hope that
you will share my sense of the importance of your appear-
ance before this. Committee; an appearance which will still
any public notion that the Agency is unwilling or unable
to subject its record to public scrutiny. Related to this
matter of your own appearance I would like to know what your
position is with regard to public. testimony of former or
present Agency employees.
I would appreciate having-an early response to this
invitation. j
/ r
Sincerely,-
/ 11
/Frank Church
Approved For Release 2004/01/05 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000400040023-2
 Approved For Release 2004/01/05 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000400040023-2
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT-
Routing Slip
2
Compt
SC / DCI
Irnc
x
CONFIC
INFO I DATE j ;INITIAL
To 7, 19, 20:
xec rv ecre ar
17 Noxt,-Mmb~e?? 197 Dale
STATINTL
I
Approved For Release 2004/01/05 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000400040023-2