PROPOSED REMARKS BY WILLIAM H. WEBSTER DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BEFORE THE AMERICAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE WASHINGTON, D.C. MARCH 23, 1988

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-00777R000302120001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 30, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 23, 1988
• Content Type: REPORT

!STATipAn/W,WF,?1
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1 - PAO Registry March 11, 1988
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You will- be addressing the American Business Conference, an audience of
top chief executive officers at 9:30 a.m. on March 23 in Washington, D.C.
Between 80 and 90 of the 100 members are expected to attend. This group may
be interested in remarks similar to'those that were so well received by the
A.B. Laffer group. Those remarks, delivered March 3, were titled "CIA,
Foreign Policy, and Congress."
I have attached remarks for you to present to the American Business
Conference that incorporate the changes you made in the Laffer speech. These
include a new transition on page 9 ("I've been talking a good deal about
disclosures in the oversight process. Now I'd like to say a few words about
secrecy."); a revised conclusion; and an additional reference to the increased
interest in CIA employment after campus demonstrations--"Our recruitment
centers are inundated with resumes after campus demonstrations. But we're not
responsible for the campus demonstrations." This brought a laugh on March 3.
The section on the laws that govern intelligence activities has been
updated to include your views on the Cohen and Stokes legislation. This
information was part of your testimony to the SSCI.on November 20, 1987; and
the HPSCI on February 24, 1988.
There are minor changes in the introduction of this speech to reflect the
economic interests of the American Business Conference, but the thesis of the
speech is the same -- "Specifically, I want to discuss the role that the CIA
plays in supporting and implementing foreign policy -- which is not the same
as making policy -- and I also want to discuss how the CIA's relationship with
Congress has changed since the days before legislated Congressional oversight."
Your proposed remarks are attached.
Bill Baker
Attachments:
As stated
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PROPOSED REMARKS
BY
WILLIAM H. WEBSTER
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
BEFORE THE
AMERICAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MARCH 23, 1988
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GOOD MORNING.
WE HAVE ALL RECENTLY HEARD PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FROM BOTH
PARTIES PRESENT THEIR VIEWS OF WHAT IS NEEDED TO FIX JUST ABOUT
EVERYTHING--FROM INTERNATIONAL TRADE TO THE FEDERAL DEFICIT TO
FOREIGN POLICY. IT IS NOT MY ROLE AS DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL
INTELLIGENCE TO AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THEIR VIEWS. I HAVE MY OWN
OPINIONS, AS YOU DO. I'M SURE MANY IN THIS AUDIENCE HAVE
PRESCRIPTIONS FOR BOLSTERING U.S. TRADE AND REDUCING THE FEDERAL
DEFICIT. FOR TODAY, I WILL LEAVE THOSE TOPICS TO YOU. BUT I WOULD
LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY SOME OF THOSE ISSUES THAT
SURROUND THE FOREIGN POLICY DEBATE.
SPECIFICALLY. 1 WANT TO DISCUSS THE ROLE THAT THE CIA PLAYS IN
SUPPORTING AND IMPLEMENTING FOREIGN POLICY--WHICH IS NOT THE SAME AS
MAKING POLICY--AND I ALSO WANT TO DISCUSS HOW THE CIA'S RELATIONSHIP
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WITH CONGRESS HAS CHANGED SINCE THE DAYS BEFORE LEGISLATED
CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.
THE CIA'S PRIMARY ROLE IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO OUR NATION'S
POLICYMAKERS. WE DO THAT BY PROVIDING INTELLIGENCE THAT IS USEFUL,
TIMELY, AND OBJECTIVE.
TODAY OUR GOVERNMENT DEPENDS HEAVILY ON USEFUL. ACCURATE
INTELLIGENCE. INTELLIGENCE TO FORMULATE AND IMPLEMENT OUR FOREIGN
POLICY, INTELLIGENCE TO VERIFY THE. ARMS AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE
SIGNED, AND INTELLIGENCE TO UNDERSTAND BOTH THE MILITARY
CAPABILITIES AND THE INTENTIONS OF OUR ADVERSARIES. I HAVE RECENTLY
TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS ON THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S ABILITY TO
MONITOR THE SOVIET UNION'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE INF
TREATY. WHILE I CANNOT DISCUSS DETAILS HERE, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT
INTELLIGENCE IS VITAL IN THIS AREA.
INTELLIGENCE MUST ALSO BE TIMELY. LAST SUMMER I VISITED NORAD
IN COLORADO SPRINGS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL EARLY WARNING
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SYSTEMS FOR OUR COUNTRY'S NATIONAL DEFENSE. A DAY THERE CAN'T HELP
BUT MAKE ONE AWARE OF THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF EARLY AND ACCURATE
INTELLIGENCE FOR OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE. GIVEN THE SPEED AT WHICH
NUCLEAR MISSILES ARE ABLE TO TRAVEL. WHEN WE THINK IN TERMS OF
SURVIVAL WARNINGS, WE THINK NOT IN TERMS OF DAYS OR WEEKS, BUT
MINUTES.
NOT ONLY MUST INTELLIGENCE BE USEFUL AND TIMELY, IT IS IMPORTANT
THAT THE INFORMATION THAT IS COLLECTED BE DEVELOPED IN AN OBJECTIVE
WAY. THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRALINTELLIGENCE-AND THE PEOPLE WHO
ANALYZE INFORMATION MUST BE SEEN AS GIVING THE BEST ESTIMATES, NOT
TO "COOK THE BOOKS" OR TO SHAPE OR INFLUENCE POLICY, BUT TO PROVIDE
POLICYMAKERS WITH THE KIND OF INFORMATION UPON WHICH THEY CAN MAKE
WISE DECISIONS IN THE INTERESTS OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.
BECAUSE THE QUALITY AND OBJECTIVITY OF THE INTELLIGENCE WE
PROVIDE IS SO IMPORTANT, I HAVE TAKEN A NUMBER OF STEPS TO ENSURE
THAT THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY PRESERVES ITS OBJECTIVITY AND
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PROTECTS ITS INTEGRITY. WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO "TELL IT LIKE
IT IS," AVOIDING BIAS AS MUCH AS WE CAN. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
COIN, POLICYMAKERS MAY NOT LIKE THE MESSAGE THEY HEAR FROM US,
ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW. MY POSITION IS
THAT IN THE PREPARATION OF INTELLIGENCE JUDGMENTS, PARTICULARLY IN
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATES, WE WILL PROVIDE THEM FOR THE USE OF
POLICYMAKERS. THEY CAN BE USED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY CAN BE
IGNORED, TORN UP, OR THROWN AWAY, BUT THEY MAY NOT BE CHANGED.
LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. IN JUNE, 1987, WE PROVIDED A
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE TO THE POLICY COMMUNITY ON IRAN AND
THE SUPERPOWERS IN THE GULF. THE INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE REPRESENTED
THE COORDINATED VIEWS OF MEMBERS OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY, BUT
THE POSITION WAS NOT A POPULAR ONE. THIS ESTIMATE ASSESSED NOT ONLY
THE PROBABLE IMMEDIATE ACTIONS THAT IRAN WOULD TAKE IN AN EFFORT TO
HEAD OFF THE PROPOSED U.S. PROTECTION FOR KUWAITI SHIPPING, BUT ALSO
THE PROBABLE IRANIAN STRATEGY ONCE THE REFLAGGING PROJECT WAS
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IMPLEMENTED. ALTHOUGH OUR VIEW WAS NOT ONE THAT THE POLICY
COMMUNITY WELCOMED, WE DID NOT CHANGE IT.
I THINK THIS KIND OF INSISTENCE ON OBJECTIVITY MAY BE ONE OF THE
MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT I COULD MAKE IN GALVANIZING A
COHESIVE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY
OF THE INDIVIDUAL ANALYSTS OR PROGRAM MANAGERS.
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING INTELLIGENCE THAT IS USEFUL, TIMELY,
AND OBJECTIVE, THE CIA PLAYS A ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING FOREIGN POLICY.
THIS IS DONE THROUGH ITS COVERT ACTION PROGRAMS. THESE MAY INCLUDE
POLITICAL WORK THROUGH COMMUNICATIONS--GETTING THE MESSAGE
.OUT--TRAINING, SUPPLYING IMPORTANT MATERIALS FOR THOSE WHO NEED
SUPPORT, AND GIVING ADVICE. ALTHOUGH COVERT ACTION IS NOT DEFINED
BY LAW, THE TERM HAS COME TO BE UNDERSTOOD TO REFER TO ACTIVITIES
CONDUCTED IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL POLICY IN SUCH A WAY-THAT THE ROLE
OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IS NOT APPARENT.
COVERT CAPABILITY, ESSENTIAL IN OUR FOREIGN POLICY, PROVIDES
NEEDED SUPPORT FOR LIBERATION MOVEMENTS, OFTEN PROVIDES SUPPORT TO
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GOVERNMENTS, AND ALLOWS US TO WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH THOSE
GOVERNMENTS WHO DO NOT WISH, FOR LEGITIMATE POLITICAL REASONS OF
THEIR OWN, TO HAVE THE U.S. ROLE AND INVOLVEMENT PUBLICLY KNOWN.
FROM PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT FORWARD, EVERY PRESIDENT IN MY
LIFETIME HAS ENDORSED AND USED COVERT ACTION TO SUPPORT THE FOREIGN
POLICY OF THIS COUNTRY. ALTHOUGH COVERT ACTIONS TRADITIONALLY CLAIM
ONLY A VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE CIA'S RESOURCES (LESS THAN 3%) THEY
ARE THE FOCUS OF THE GREATEST CONGRESSIONAL AND PUBLIC ATTENTION.
AND CONGRESS IS VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT THE CIA DOES. I
RECENTLY ADDRESSED A GROUP OF RETIRED INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS, AND
THEY RECALLED THE DAYS WHEN NO CLASSIFIED PAPERS WENT FROM THE CIA
TO EITHER BRANCH OF CONGRESS AND THE ONLY CLASSIFIED BRIEFINGS TO
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES WERE GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR HIMSELF, OR WITH
THE DIRECTOR PRESENT. AT ONE TIME, THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE HAD ONE CLEARED STAFFER, THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
SUBCOMMITTEE ONE OR TWO. 1 TODAY, FOUR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
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CLOSELY EXAMINE THE AGENCY'S ACTIVITIES, AND THE NUMBER OF
INDIVIDUALS WHO SEE CLASSIFIED MATERIAL FAR EXCEEDS THE ONE OR TWO
OF THE PAST.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO THE CIA GAVE 175 BRIEFINGS TO CONGRESS: LAST
YEAR WE GAVE OVER 1,000 BRIEFINGS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS. THESE
TOPICS INCLUDED ARMS CONTROL, SOVIET WEAPONS, THE PERSIAN GULF
SITUATION,,AND CONFLICT IN CENTRAL AMERICA.2 WE PROVIDE
INFORMATION ON TOPICS OF CURRENT INTEREST TO CONGRESS, BUT WE ALSO
LIKE TO ANTICIPATE THE INFORMATION-CONGRESS AND THE POLICY COMMUNITY
WILL NEED IN THE FUTURE. WE PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION IN THE FORM OF
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATES OR RESEARCH PAPERS. VIRTUALLY ALL
CIA ASSESSMENTS GO TO THE TWO CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE
COMMITTEES. MOST ALSO GO TO THE APPROPRIATIONS, FOREIGN RELATIONS,
AND A-RMS SERVICES COMMITTEES. EIGHT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES GET
THE CIA'S DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT.3 IN THE LAST YEAR
THE CIA SENT MORE THAN 5,000 INTELLIGENCE REPORTS TO CONGRESS.4
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IN ADDITION TO BRIEFINGS AND PAPERS, WE ALSO TESTIFY BEFORE
CONGRESS. I HAVE SPENT A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME ON THE HILL, LATELY,
MYSELF. BECAUSE I KNOW OF THE NEED TO BE ABSOLUTELY CANDID WITH
CONGRESS, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONALS HAVE TO
PROTECT SOURCES AND METHODS, I HAVE ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES GOVERNING
OUR DEALINGS WITH CONGRESS. AND I HAVE MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR
THAT IN DEALING WITH CONGRESS THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR DECEPTION.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES EXERCISED
BY CONGRESS ARE BOTH NECESSARY AND BENEFICIAL. THERE MUST BE A
DEPENDABLE SYSTEM OF OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY WHICH BUILDS,
RATHER THAN ERODES, TRUST BETWEEN THOSE WHO HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE
RESPONSIBILITY AND THOSE WHO ARE THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
AS PART OF MY EFFORT TO ESTABLISH AN OPEN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
CONGRESS, I MEET WITH THE LEADERS OF OUR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES AT
LEAST MONTHLY. IT MIGHT INTEREST YOU TO KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF OUR
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SENATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE HAVE SERVED OR ARE SERVING ON
INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES. TWENTY-SIX PERCENT OF THE SENATORS NOW IN
THE SENATE HAVE BEEN ON THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON
INTELLIGENCE. ONLY FIVE PERCENT OF THOSE NOW SERVING IN THE HOUSE
HAVE BEEN ON THE HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON.
INTELLIGENCE.5 THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS I HAVE JUST MENTIONED
SHARE WITH THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
PRESERVING THE NATION'S INTELLIGENCE SECRETS.
I'VE BEEN TALKING A GOOD DEAL ABOUT DISCLOSURES IN THE OVERSIGHT
PROCESS. NOW I'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT SECRECY.
IT SEEMS QUITE CLEAR TO ME THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CARRY
OUT CLANDESTINE ACTIVITIES--EITHER TO COLLECT INFORMATION OR TO
CARRY OUT COVERT ACTION--WITHOUT SECRECY.
BOTH CONGRESS AND THE JUDICIARY HAVE RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR
SECRECY IN MATTERS OF NATIONAL SECURITY. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF
SECRECY IS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT SOURCES AND METHODS. IF WE
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CANNOT PROTECT OUR SOURCES, WE WILL NOT GET THE INFORMATION THAT WE
NEED. IF WE CANNOT PROTECT THE SENSITIVE METHODS BY WHICH WE
COLLECT THE INFORMATION, BOTH IN TERMS OF INDIVIDUALS ON THE GROUND
AND SATELLITES IN SPACE, WE WILL CEASE TO HAVE THE MEANS OF
COLLECTING INFORMATION.
SECRECY IS A NECESSARY PART OF EFFECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
COLLECTION. BUT IT IS, HISTORICALLY, THAT PART OF INTELLIGENCE THAT
HAS GENERATED THE MOST SUSPICION AND DISTRUST. MY GOOD FRIEND,
GENERAL VERNON WALTERS, FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE CIA AND NOW
AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, DESCRIBED THE VIEW MANY HAVE NOT
ONLY OF SECRECY, BUT OF INTELLIGENCE IN GENERAL. "AMERICANS," HE
OBSERVED, "HAVE ALWAYS HAD AN AMBIVALENT ATTITUDE TOWARD
INTELLIGENCE. WHEN THEY FEEL THREATENED, THEY WANT A LOT OF IT, AND
WHEN 'THEY DON'T, THEY TEND TO REGARD THE WHOLE THING AS SOMEWHAT
IMMORAL."
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I MENTIONED EARLIER THE NUMBER OF BRIEFINGS AND DOCUMENTS THAT
WE PROVIDE CONGRESS YEARLY. WHAT I DID NOT DISCUSS WERE THE LAWS
DEFINING THE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONGRESS AND
INTELLIGENCE--THE LAWS THAT TELL US WHAT TO PROVIDE AND WHEN TO
PROVIDE IT. I WILL SUMMARIZE THAT FOR YOU NOW.
IN 1976 AND 1977 BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS ESTABLISHED
INTELLIGENCE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES TO MONITOR ALL SIGNIFICANT
INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES AND EXPENDITURES. MANY OF THE RULES WHICH
GOVERN OUR ACTIVITIES ARE FOUND IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT, THE
HUGHES-RYAN AMMENDMENT, AND THE INTELLIGENCE OVERSIGHT ACT. THE
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES, OPERATING UNDER THOSE ACTS, HAVE FORMALIZED
THE REPORTING OF INTELLIGENCE AND COVERT ACTIONS TO CONGRESS. THE
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY IS NOW REQUIRED BY LAW TO KEEP THE
INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES FULLY AND CURRENTLY INFORMED OF ALL
INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES. UNDER THE HUGHES-RYAN AMMENDMENT, THE
PRESIDENT MUST FIND THAT EACH COVERT ACTION IS IMPORTANT TO THE
NATIONAL SECURITY BEFORE THE OPERATION CAN BE INITIATED.
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UNDER LAW IT IS OUR DUTY TO NOTIFY THE COMMITTEES OF ANY
SIGNIFICANT INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES. THIS INCLUDES ANY.ACTIVITIES
REQUIRING A PRESIDENTIAL FINDING. WHEN NECESSARY, THE PRESIDENT CAN
LIMIT THAT NOTIFICATION TO THE CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER
OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES, TO THE SPEAKER AND MINORITY LEADER
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY
LEADER OF THE SENATE--REFERRED TO, IN TRADE PARLANCE, AS THE "GANG
OF EIGHT." AND THERE IS ANOTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENT. THE
INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES MUST BE FULLY INFORMED IN A "TIMELY FASHION"
OF INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS FOR WHICH PRIOR NOTICE WAS NOT GIVEN--AND
THE PRESIDENT MUST STATE THE REASONS FOR NOT GIVING PRIOR NOTICE IN
THOSE INSTANCES.
JUST WHAT CONSTITUTES "TIMELY" IS AMATTER OF CONCERN. THE
HOUSE-AND SENATE ARE NOW CONSIDERING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE
NOTIFICATION OF A SPECIAL ACTIVITY TO CONGRESS WITHIN 48 HOURS OF A
PRESIDENTIAL FINDING. I OPPOSE THIS, BECAUSE I BELIEVE SOME
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ALLOWANCE MUST BE MADE FOR THAT RARE CASE WHERE LIMITED DELAY IN
CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION IS CRITICAL TO PRESERVE THE ABSOLUTE
SECURITY OF AN OPERATION -- WHEN, FOR EXAMPLE, LIVES ARE AT STAKE.
IN ADDITION, SUCH LEGISLATION IS UNNECESSARY BECAUSE A NATIONAL
SECURITY DIRECTIVE ALREADY REQUIRES THE NATIONAL SECURITY PLANNING
GROUP TO REEVALUATE, AT LEAST EVERY TEN DAYS, A DECISION TO DELAY
CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION OF A GIVEN FINDING.6 FURTHER, THE
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY BELIEVES THAT IT IS NOT ENOUGH JUST FOR THE
PRESIDENT TO MAKE A FINDING AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING US TO TAKE
SOME COVERT ACTION. BEFORE SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL TO THE
PRESIDENT, WE IN INTELLIGENCE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE
THAT IT CAN BE DONE. AND DONE IN A LAWFUL WAY. AND WE MUST BE SURE
THAT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OUT ON THE FIRING LINE, OUTSIDE THE
PROTECTION OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND OUR LAWS, IN MANY INSTANCES, CAN
DO THEIR WORK WITH THE FLEXIBILITY THAT THEY NEED, AND WITH THE
CLEAREST UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CIA AND TO
THE COUNTRY.
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ALTHOUGH IT IS DANGEROUS TO PREDICT ANYTHING IN AN ELECTION
YEAR, I WILL SPEND A MOMENT CONSIDERING THE CHANGES THAT ARE
OCCURRING'IN INTELLIGENCE AND THE KIND OF INFORMATION WE WILL BE
PROVIDING CONGRESS AND THE POLICY COMMUNITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THERE HAS BEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER AND DIVERSITY
OF SUBJECTS THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS.
WHILE MUCH OF OUR EFFORT IS STILL FOCUSED ON THE SOVIET UNION. WE
ARE SPENDING MORE TIME AND RESOURCES COLLECTING INFORMATION ON THIRD
WORLD NATIONS. WE ARE INTERESTED IN BOTH THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC
STABILITY OF COUNTRIES FROM BRAZIL TO BANGLADESH, FROM MEXICO TO
MALAYSIA, AND FROM TURKEY TO TANZANIA. WE ARE ALSO CONCENTRATING ON
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS SUCH AS INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM,
NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
WE BELIEVE THE SOVIET UNION'S APPETITE FOR AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY
IS GROWING, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. THE
SOVIET STRATEGY APPEARS TO BE MODERNIZING THE ELECTRONICS-BASED
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SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY BEFORE MOVING TO INVEST MORE HEAVILY, IN THE
1990'S. IN MILITARY PRODUCTION FACILITIES. WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO
BELIEVE THAT SOVIET INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE WILL INTENSIFY IN THE NEXT
DECADE. AND THE SOVIETS WILL CONTINUE TO DEVOTE WHATEVER RESOURCES
AND MANPOWER ARE NECESSARY TO FULFILL THEIR MOST CRITICAL MILITARY
COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS.7
ISSUES LIKE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER HAVE CHANGED OUR OWN COLLECTION
REQUIREMENTS. THAT'S WHY WE MUST CONTINUE TO ATTRACT TOP PEOPLE TO
HELP US. WE ARE FORTUNATE IN THAT LAST YEAR, OVER 100,000 MEN AND
WOMEN EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN WORKING FOR THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
AGENCY. YOU HAVE NO DOUBT READ ABOUT THE PROTESTS ON SOME COLLEGE
CAMPUSES WHEN CIA RECRUITS. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THESE PROTESTS
AND THE PUBLICITY THEY GENERATE OFTEN WORK IN OUR FAVOR. OUR
RECRUITMENT CENTERS ARE INUNDATED WITH RESUMES AFTER CAMPUS
DEMONSTRATIONS. BUT WE'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAMPUS,
DEMONSTRATIONS.-
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I HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO ATTRACT THOSE BEST SUITED TO CARRY
OUT OUR MISSION--THOSE WHO ARE RISK TAKERS BUT NOT RISK SEEKERS,
PEOPLE WHO ARE DEDICATED AND RESPONSIVE TO OUR LAW AND DISCIPLINE,
PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND AND PLAY BY THE RULES. PEOPLE TO WHOM FAME
AND FORTUNE IS NOT PARTICULARLY A NECESSARY PART OF THEIR LIFE, BUT
WHO CAN FIND IN OUR WORK AN AVENUE TO PURSUE THEIR HIGHEST
ASPIRATIONS FOR A SAFER AND BETTER WORLD.
WITH SUCH PEOPLE WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE INTELLIGENCE
THAT POLICYMAKERS NEED, OBSERVING THE RULES OF OVERSIGHT AND
ACCOUNTABILITY THAT BOTH THE CONGRESS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT. THIS IS WHAT YOU
WOULD WANT OF US, WHAT ALL AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD WANT OF US, AND WE
ARE DOING OUR VERY BEST TO SUPPLY IT.
THANK YOU.
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STAT
1 This information on the very limited access Congress once
had to classified information is from a letter Ambassador Richard
Helms sent to the Central Intelligence Retirees Association (CIRA)
on 22 January 1988. Judge Webster also used this information in his
remarks to CIRA on 8 February 1988.
2 Statistics on the number of briefings the CIA gives to
Congress and the topics covered is from a presentation by John
Helgerson, director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, on 19
February 1988 at CIA Headquarters. Mr. Helgerson addressed the
"Friends of Analysis," a group of analysts in the Directorate of
Intelligence.
3 Information on congressional recipients of CIA assessments
and the Agency's daily national intelligence report was drawn from
an unclassified article by Robert M. Gates, "The CIA and American
Foreign Policy," which appeared in the fall, 1987 issue of Studies
in Intelligence.
4 The number of CIA intelligence reports sent to Congress in
1987 was confirmed by F- -J an information officer with the
Office of Congressional Affairs.
5 The percentages of House and Senate members who have served
or are currently serving on the congressional intelligence
committees were mentioned by John Helgerson during his talk to the
"Friends of Analysis" group on 19 February.
6 Remarks concerning the Stokes and Cohen bills on
congressional oversight were drawn from Judge Webster's testimony
before the SSCI on November 20, 1987 and the HPSCI on February 24,
1988.
7 Information on the growing Soviet appetite for American
technology was drawn from a speech on technology transfer delivered
by Robert M. Gates to the American Electronics Association on 16
February 1988.
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