AGENCY'S IMAGE, CHIEFS OF STATION SEMINAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00780R001500050035-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 20, 2003
• Sequence Number: 35
• Publication Date: June 22, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2004/01/29 : CIA-RDP84-00780 50$170Y05P0J5a51 S , R
I have looked over the notes on the Agency's
image submitted by members of the recent
Chiefs of Station Seminar. Here are my own
thoughts and recommendations.
I have also attached a brief summary of
the COS notes which I think you'll find interest-
ing. It certainly points up the diversity of
their views.
SIGNED R. L. Banaeri n
R. L. Bannerman
2 2 JUN 1966
Distribution:
Orig - Adee w/O Tz 1 of DD/S 66- 3191
1 - DD/S Chrono
d< DD/S Subject w/cc DD/S 66-3191
DD/S 66-3191: Memo dtd 2 2 JUN 1966 to DDCI fr DD/S,
subj: "Agency's Image, Chiefs of Station Seminar"
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 Approved For Release 2004/01/2SE"T84-00780R001%M%13'
2 2 JUN 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR. Deputy Director of Central. Intelligence
SU4ECT : Agency's Image, Chiefs of Station Semi
1. I have reviewed the comments of the Chiefs of Station and my views
and recommendations as to the Agency's LumW and our public posture are
a8 fallows
Despift the current rash of publicity in the public press,
I believe we have a deep reservoir of goodwill in the American
goodwill can only be expressed indirectly . Our
ruitment Program, the Domestic Contact Service
Program, and our extensive Other relationships with American
business, universities, and the public reflect an understanding
of our public relations problem and confidence in our people
and our program . We at headquarters frequently do not suffi-
tidy distinguish between publicity per se and unfavorable pub-
licity. I thi+k we should give the American public more credit
for reading through the self-serving, critical comments of
columnists, editorials, and private and public officials.
2. "the Agency's public policy has been predicated historically on me
promise that we are a clandestine organization whereas, actually, there is
much we can talk about which s not aft et clandestine programs, sources,
and methods or sensitive activities. I feel we can make public app ces
in a quiet, conservative wry speaking of our fuactionns, purposes, national
unity arelation hips, and some of our internal o stion, but, of course,
avoiding controversial or national tops. Our non vocal friends are trou-
bled that we do not present some form of a public program. To improve our
pWAic posture, correct misinformation about the Agency, and to gradually
reach those groups who can be helpful to us, I suggest the following:
a. Promote visits and briefings of selected newsmen.
b. wept more invitations to speak before organized groups,
such as business associations, academic and business conferences,
universities, and similar organized group meetings.
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 Approved For Release 2004/0SW, Rl -DP84-00780 R001500050035-5
C. On an of--record basis. provide background
on pertinent topics to selected newsmen to give them
ce.guidance on these matters which in turn will
p appreciation and understanding of the Agency and
enhance our postum objectivity.
d. Continue to pursue and perhaps enlarge our contacts
with universities and the public in our overt processes such as
the Recruitment Program.
a. Encourage our friends to speak up on our behalf from
time to time.
3. R*Prdleese of the above, we should ees t attacks upon the oenc
and challenges to our activities. Those that are pure nousea so. such as
the "may Scout story, " we can promptly and directly deny: whereas with
those of an intelligence operational nature we can either:
a. Respond through Congressional statements;
25X1
e, I think we are losing by our policy of silence and, to arrest this
,In to fight back against unfounded or misinformed
(5" d( 4 '
Alt: Summary of Comments--CIA's image
AEO-DD/S:FV:lr:ews (21 Jun 66)
Recalled fr ExDir (24 Jun 00)
Para 2 rewritten:RLB:Jvw (24 Jun 66)
Distribution:
Orig - Adse I - DTR
1 - ER I DD/S Chrono
rini cnhiPnr w /harkcrrn>nd
Deputy Director
for Support
R.L.
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ST
 Approved For Release 2004/01/28:E I84-00780 R001500050035-5
atioee program include: use of
concerned wfth "i ag ," broader
Approved For Release 2004/01/29 : CIA-RDP84-Q07$0R00l50Q950035-5
CIA"S IMAGE
Summary of Notes from COS Seminar
? ? ? ? + ? ? ? ? ? s s r J
. . ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? s s ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 6
,Icy ? . ? . . . . ? ? . ? ? ? . ? ? ? ? 1
Ic reIat program .?. ?....I
leeks an s eaee- ............. I
:ontskied more fts out re c mendati .
SECRE f ~~
 Approved For Rele?se 2004/01 /8ECR 9 84-00780 R001500050035-5
psi (c ~ Continue to pursue and perhaps enlarge our contacts
wits} universities and the public in our overt processes such as
the recruitment Program.
d encourage our friends to speak up on our behalf from
time to time.
3. Regardless of the above, we should expect attacks upon the Agency
and challenges to cur activities. Those that are puro-nonsense, such as
the "Boy Scow- story", we can promptly and directly deny; whereas with
those of an intelligence operational nature we can-either:
a. Respond through Congressional statements;
25X1
c. Remain quiet depending, on the nature of the issue at hand.
In principle, I think we are losingz,by our policy of silence and, to arrest this
trend, I suggest we begin to fight back against unfounded or misinformed
criticism.
STATINTL
Att: Summary of Comments--CIA's Image
Deputy Director
for Support
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SECRET
 Approved For Release 2004/01/29 : CIA-RDP84-00780 R001500050035-5
Approved For Release 2004/01/29 : CIA-RDP84-00780 R001500050035-5