LETTER TO WILLIAM J. CASEY FROM BENJAMIN A. GILMAN REGARDING ACQUITTAL OF FIVE INDIVIDUALS ACCUSED OF GUN-RUNNING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00914R002100160006-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 21, 2007
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: November 12, 1982
• Content Type: LETTER

oved For Release 2007/0
DCI
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SUSPENSE
Please prepare response for DCI's
signature.
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15 Novem}iar 1982
proved.For Release 2007/03/03: CIA-RDP83M00914R002100160006-
 Approved For Release 2007/03/03: CIA-RDP83M00914R002100160006-0
81 iNJAMI'' A. GILMAN.
COMMITTZIG,
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SUBCOMMITTEES,
POSTAL PERSONNEL AND
MODERNIZATION
HUMAN RESOURCES
SUBCOMMITTEESI
INT=RNATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY
AND TRADE
INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS
SELECT COMMITTEE ON
NARCOTICS ABUSE AND
CONTROL
fil'
the Aniteb t o
Pao of 1ieprefttatibtS
wa bington,;.0. 20535
November 12,1982
William J. Casey
Director of Central. Intelligence
CIA
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear Director Casey:
I am writing to you about a matter which concerns me greatly, and which will no
doubt have set dangerous precedents in matters of national and international security.
I am referring specifically to the acquittal of five individuals accused of gun-running
to Northern Ireland on the basis that they were CIA operatives,and provided arms and
ammunition to the Irish with the knowledge and consent of the CIA.
Quoting one juror who summed up the jury's belief that the CIA did little to
deny associations with these gunrunners, I am asking the Agency to clarify this charge:
"There wasn't enough evidence that proved the defendents were not connected with the
CIA... there were gaping holes in the government's case."
I understand that the CIA did send witnesses to the trial in New York to participate
in this prosecution, but the defense produced documents provided by the FBI implicating
one individual, in a CIA plot to overthrow Castro. STAT
As you know, international gun-running is a heinous offense. In this case, it is
all the more heinous because innocent people are the victims of these smuggled weapons.
Northern Ireland is a tragedy which is being fueled by. the. illegal importation of
guns and ammunition, and the thought of five individuals---maybe many more--engaging
in this type of activity with CIA assistance or knowledge is a very serious and very
tragic fact.
Please clarify this matter for me at your earliest convenience. I am very concerned
that unless the Central Intelligence Agency speaks out vehemently against this type
of defense, criminals and other international terrorists will seek, and find cover and
defense under the CIA umbrella. I trust that I will be hearing from you soon.
Thank you for your attention to this. serious matter.
With best wishes,
BENJAMIN A. GIU'1AN
Member of Congress
WASHINGTON OFFICE. DISTRICT OFFICE,
2160 RAYBURN BUILDING 44 EAST AvENUQ
4;Tk
DISTRICT OFTICEL
DISTRICT OF-1CE, - 223 RourE 59