AGENCY'S IMAGE, CHIEFS OF STATION SEMINAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00780R001500050036-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 20, 2003
• Sequence Number: 36
• Publication Date: June 15, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2004/01/29: CIA-RDP84-007 TdM ~ '6-%5 Jun 66)
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT : Agency's Image, Chiefs of Station Seminar
1. I have reviewed the comments of the Chiefs of Station h.d my views
and recommendations as to the Agency's image and our public sture are as follows:
Despite the current rash of publicity in the public press, I
believe we have a deep reservoir of goodwill in ,Tie American public.
This goodwill can only be expressed indirect Our Personnel
Recruitment Program, the 9e-,Contact P1;09-ram, and our rs
other relationships with American buyIness, universities, and the
/ /iCLffT fl O03s
public reflecto an understanding of/our public problem and confidence
in ,our people and our program We at headquarters frequently do not
distinguisliisx' 7pub'city per se and unfavorable publicity. I
think we should give th 'American public more credit for reading
through the self -ser g, critical comments of columnists, editorials,
in
and private and pfiblic officials.
2. Tle Agency public policy is laxg-] predicated on the premise that
we are a clandestine organization whereas ,actually there is much we can talk about which
does not affect clandestine programs, sources, and methods or sensitive activities.
I feel we can make public appearances in a quiet, conservative way speaking of our
Approved For Release 2004/01/29 : CIA-RDP84-00780 R001500050036-4
 Approved For Release 2004/01/29 _ CIA-RDP84-00780 R001500050036-4
functions, purposes, nationallrelationships, and some of our internal organization,
but, of course, avoiding controversial or' ational topics. Our non-vocal friends
are troubled that we do not present some form of a public program. To improve our
public 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) Accept more invitations to speak before organized groups, such ar, )
business associations, academic and business conferences, universities,
and similar organized group meetings.
ILLEGIB
(d) ~- ? f, a.ay6, C 0,- 6I .EG I B
'9"'19 _44
3. Regardless of the above, we
attacks upon the Agency
;
and challenges our- activities. Those that are pure nonsense, such as the Boy Scout
story, we canldirectly deny; whereat1ose of a Pop nature we can either:
A
(a) Respond through Congressional statements.
(b)
(c) Remain quiet depending on the nature of the issue at hand.
In principle, I think we are losing by our policy of silence and to arrest this trend, I
suggest we begin to fight back against unfounded or misinformed criticism.
R. L. Bannerman
Deputy Director
,ext
Approved For Release 2004/01/29 : CIA-RDP84-00780 R001500U500jgp
25X1