LETTER TO RICHARD H. LEHMAN FROM CLAIR E. GEORGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B01370R001301750008-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 24, 2008
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: June 26, 1984
• Content Type: LETTER

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Central Intelligence Ajcncy ~Q 1!> ? r
OLL 84-3176/1
27 JUN 1984
The Honorable Richard H. Lehman
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Thank you for your letter of 13 June and the enclosed 8 May
newspaper istian Science Monitor, forwarded
to you by It is the general policy of the
Central Intelligence Agency CIA) to neither confirm nor deny
allegations about its activities appearing in the various media.
However, the CIA considered the allegations contained in the
above article to be so harmful and untrue that a statement was
issued as follows:
"An article in the 8 May Christian Science Monitor
makes the outrageous allegation that CIA officials have
condoned death squad activities in El Salvador, provided
training in torture techniques, and stood by while
individuals were tortured. The CIA does not condone,
participate in or promote, by instruction or by any
other means, murder or the use of torture. Moreover,
the U.S. intelligence services are prohibited from
engaging in assassination by Presidential Executive
Order."
In addition to this denial, which appeared in The Christian
Science Monitor the next day, you may be interested in advising
your constituent of the findings of the House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) following its investigation of
these charges in response to a "Resolution of Inquiry Concerning
the Central Intelligence Agency and Death Squads in El Salvador,"
introduced by The Honorable James M. Shannon, House Resolution
467 (Report No. 98-709). On 25 April, the HPSCI met in closed
session to consider the Resolution. HPSCI reached the following
conclusions concerning these death squad allegations in the above
report:
"Based on its rigorous review of intelligence
documents and records which relate to or make mention
of either Colonel Caranza or Mr. D'Aubuisson, the
committee found no evidence of any Agency complicity
in death squad activities in El Salvador. Nothing in
the materials reviewed by the committee suggests any
Agency violation of the Executive Order or applicable
Agency policies."
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"The committee's limited, but exhaustive, review
within the confines of House Resolution 467 uncovered
no facts which suggest improper Agency relationships."
"The committee considers that its review of
applicable documents and files has been thorough."
Since the House Report 98-709 was printed on 25 April, it is
regrettable that The Christian Science Monitor news reporter did
not, it appears, take into consideration its findings, nor did he
attempt to contact the Agency, as most news reporters do, for
comment on the allegations before the article was published.
Also, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is holding
hearings on this topic now, and the outcome of those hearings
will relate t concerns. While a large part of STAT
the hearings will be in closed session, we do under.stand the
Committee will also make a public report on the issue.
I am enclosing a copy of our denial printed in The Christian
Science Monitor, as well as a copy of a follow-up story therein,
which was written as a result of the Agency's protests to The
Christian Science Monitor.
I hope these comments will alleviate the concerns expressed
by your constituent.
Sincerely,
/s/ Clair E. George
Clair E. George
Director, Office of Legislative Liaison
Distribution:
Original - Addressee w/encs
1 - D/OLL w/encs
1 - DD/OLL w/encs
1 - D/PAO w/encs
1 - C/LEG/OLL w/encs
1 - 6LL Record w/encs
hrono w/o encs
LD/OLL pap (26 June 1984)
STAT
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