LETTER TO LOUIS STOKES FROM WILLIAM H. WEBSTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90G00152R000200290004-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 28, 2011
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: June 16, 1987
• Content Type: LETTER

STAT
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EXECUTIVE SEeRETARIAT
DCI
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16 June 87
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The Honorable Louis Stokes
Chairman
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
I appreciate very much the opportunity to meet last week
with you and Ranking Minority Member Hyde. Both Mr. Gates and I
came away from the discussion with the clear view that you would
give the new Director of Central Intelligence the opportunity to
strengthen and enhance relationships with the Committee
unencumbered by past problems and difficulties.
I do, however, appreciate the Committee sharing with me its
report on perceived CIA shortcomings in dealing with HPSCI. This
report covers incidents over a substantial number of years,
during at least some of which there were different statutes,
rules, and procedures in effect. I asked for comments from
within this Agency and read the responses carefully. While most
of the positions taken by Agency officials are arguably sound, it
is clear that these incidents resulted in some erosion of mutual
understanding and trust between the Committee and the Agency. I
wish to reverse this erosion and to build anew the trust without
which we cannot carry on our mission and without which you cannot
comfortably perform your oversight function.
If at any time in the future anything at all occurs which
causes the Committee to question the accuracy or level of candor
of our reports to the Committee, whether orally or in writing, I
earnestly hope that you will immediately call this to my
attention. These issues, as we know, can cause severe damage
over time to the trust factor, and should not be allowed to
fester.
I am instructing all Agency officers appearing before the
Committee to present testimony or briefings candidly and
completely. When there is uncertainty as to the correct facts on
our part, we shall so state candidly with a pledge to report to
the Committee with the full and correct facts as soon as
possible. When we have a problem in reporting fully because of
j?.- yog -/ r
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concerns over sources and methods, we will tell you so. It is
very likely that following appropriate discussions we will be
able to supply the needed information in a mutually satisfactory
manner. Finally, we will make every effort to respond to written
questions as promptly as possible and avoid some of the
occasional long delays of the past.
I have great confidence that the informal regular contacts
we have established can serve as a solid basis for preventing a
good deal of the friction that may have existed in the past. I
look forward to future discussions with you and Congressman Hyde.
With highest regards.
Sincerely,
William H. Webster
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25A I iyr L tSC1
CENT AL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Director of Congressional Affairs
NOTE FOR: The Director
The Deputy Director
SUBJECT: Responses to Items on Tom Latimer's
Bill of Particulars
The Directorate of Operations, the Directorate
of Intelligence, the Comptroller's office and my
office have collaborated on these responses.
Downgrade to Unclassified
When Separated from
Attachments MON 0104-87
cc: DDO Cy of Cys
DDI
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The Honorable Louis Stokes
Chairman
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
After reading the Committee's paper on the record of perceived CIA
shortcomings in dealing with HPSCI, I asked for an explanation of the
examples from CIA's perspective.
What strikes me most vividly looking at the points made on both sides
is the apparent frequency of misunderstanding between the Committee and
the Agency, an almost willful inclination on the part of each to "worst
case" the motives of the other and, above all, a serious lack of
effective communication.
I believe that it is imperative at this point for each organization
to begin with a clean slate. The regular, informal dialogue that has
been established between the Chairman/Vice Chairman and DCI/DDCI must be
the foundation for a more thorough and candid dialogue between the
Committee and the Agency. When problems, misunderstandings or
antagonisms arise -- as they surely will in this kind of relationship --
it is essential that they not be allowed to fester but be surfaced and
corrected as promptly as possible.
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For my part, I am instructing all Agency officers appearing before
the Committee to present testimony or briefings candidly and completely.
When there is uncertainty as to the correct facts on our part, we shall
so state candidly with a pledge to report to the Committee with the full
and correct facts as soon as possible. When we have a problem in
reporting fully because of concerns over sources and methods, again, we
shall so state candidly. Finally, we will make every effort to respond
to written questions as quickly as possible and avoid some of the
occasional long delays of the past.
For the Committee's part, I hope that concerns and problems will
promptly be brought to my or the DDCI's attention -- with specific
information upon which we can act. Additionally, when there are Agency
concerns about sources and methods or sensitive operational activities, I
hope the Committee will not assume or suspect an effort to withhold or
mislead but rather will work with us to satisfy the Committee's
concerns.
In conclusion, let me repeat that I believe the informal, regular
contact we have established can serve as a basis for removing a good deal
of the friction that has existed in the past. There will inevitably be
occasions when the Committee and CIA will have serious differences over
policies, procedures or reporting. We will work these out on a case by
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case basis. But it is important that we not allow misunderstanding,
miscommunication or suspicion on day to day matters create a hostile
environment for addressing the truly important problems that will arise
from time to time. I am firmly committed to a relationship with the
Committee based on candor, mutual trust and mutual confidence.
Sincerely,
William H. Webster
Director of Central Intelligence
cc: The Honorable Henry J. Hyde
Ranking Minority Member
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
House of Representatives
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/-
ES:
See DCI's note to circulate
to the DDs.
Debbie, 16 June
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FROM
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
TO
OFFICIAL INDICATED BELOW
16 JU1v 1987
Bill Baker
Danny Childs
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
Dave Doherty
Bill Donnelly
Bob Gates
Clair George
Dave Gries
Carroll Hauver
Ed Heinz
Evan Hineman
See me
Note and return
For your recommendation
Prepare reply and return for my signature
Respond over your signature
What are the facts?
Please handle
Hold
Remarks:
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