GATES FINDS C.I.A. BESET BY PROBLEMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-01448R000301260025-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 21, 2013
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: February 8, 1987
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

STAT
11 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/05/21 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000301260025-0
ARTICLE Allirt
ON PAGE NEW YORK TIM.Th
8 February 1987
The Casey Succession
Associated Press
Robed M. Gates
Gates Finds
C.I.A. Beset
By Problems
By STEPHEN ENGELBERG
WASHINGTON-
?OME agencies in this city gain prominence-
because of what they do, others because of ..
whom their leaders know. In the last six-.
years, under William J. Casev, President..
Reagan's close friend , e Central Intelligence-
Agency achieved new influence for both reasons. But..
that very power has contributed to a long list of
potentially difficult problems that his newly nomi,
nated successor must face ? without the benefit of
Mr.. Casey's clout.
As Mr. Casey resigned last week because of ill
4health, his deputy, ? Robert M. Gates, took over an.
agency once again udder investigation on Capitol Hill
for its role in a covert operation that went sour, the ?
Iran arms deal. He will also be asked some tough,:.
questions about whether any senior agency officials,
were involved in illegally helping Nicaraguan rebels,.
Although Mr. Gates is expected to receive quick.
confirmation from the Senate, questions will be,
raised about his own role in the affair. Some Senators
want to know why Mr. Gates did not tell thein about:.
his investigation a month before the operation be,..
came public of suspicions that profits from the arms:
deal were going to the contras of Nicaragua.
Mr. Gates, a career intelligence professional1
will also be returning more than once to Capitol Hill,
to try to protect the intelligence agencies against the,.
trend toward slower growth in spending on military.
and intelligence matters. One item likely to put pres-
sure on their budget is the need to pay for alternate
methods of launching spy satellites that were to have.
been carried by the grounded space shuttles.
"We have a serious problem," observed William-
Cohen the Maine Republican who is the new vice
Th-i?inan of the Senate intelligence committee.'
"People want more intelligence, but they're not will-.
ing to pay for it."
Mr. Gates, at 43 years old the youngest Director
of Central Intelligence, has been accorded Cabinet
rank and promised access to President Reagan,
whenever he needs it. Nonetheless, several Adminis.-:
tration officials predicted that the agency will inevi-
tably suffer a loss of clout, not only because of the
Iran-contra affair but also because of the absence of
Mr. Casey's influence at the White House. Several
? legislators, however, have expressed optimism that,:
Mr. Gates, the first director of central intelligence to
come from the analytical branch of the C.I.A., will
cooperate more fully with the Congressional over-.
sight committees than Mr. Casey did.
Confirmed
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/05/21 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000301260025-0