CIA CHOICE HAS TOUGH TASKS AHEAD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-01448R000301270108-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2013
• Sequence Number: 108
• Publication Date: February 17, 1987
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/06/05: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301270108-7
ARTICLE APPEAMIS --
ON PAGE. 4i ,4 USA TODAY
17 February 1987
CIA choice
has tough
tasks ahead
Bys Zain TOD4eld
The Senate could confirm
at:--a--today as youn-
'iti-st--EVer.CIA,director.
But, at 43, the 21-year CIA
veteran faces two larger tests:
II First, defending the CIA's
role in the Iran-contra scandal
at confirmation hearing ? to-
day on CNN at 10 a.m. EST.
? And, over the next two
years, establishing his indepen-
dence from the Reagan admin-
istration so he can retain the
post under a new president.
"I flatly predict ? I have no
question in my mind ? he
should be confirmed," said
Sen. Palta Leahy2_D-Vt. "oil drilling equipment."
Gates has a reputation for Some senators may try to ex-
hard work, a flair for analysis tract a pledge that Gates will
and a scholar's savvy about the tell the panel of all future se-
Soviet Union. He joined the cret CIA operations or resign.
CIA in 1966, remaining in the Ex-CIA Deputy Director
analysis unit ? never in clan-4 Bobby Inman says Gates has a
destine activities. He become strong chance of staying on a!-
deputy director in April. ter Reagan: "His reputation
But the Senate Intelligence (as) a non-partisan, competent
Committee hearings will raise professional is already there."
sticky questions about Gates'4 Says ex-CIA Director Stans-
role in the Iran affair. field Turner "It's a good move
"I expect some fairly tough to start with a new generation."
questions on ... what he knewvi--) Roy Godson, a Georgetown
and when he knew it," says JimnUWsiTrOvernment profes-
Dykstra, a committee staffer. sor, says Gates will have to
If Gates knew anything, the fend off congressional efforts
questions are likely to turn to at new restrictions on the CIA
why he didn't tell Congress. while improving counter-intel-
While committee Chairman ligence in the wake of embar-
Sen. David Boren, D-Okla., says rassing big spy cases.
the hearing won't become a "It would be hard enough to
full-blown arms scandal probe, do either one of those," Godson
Gates is certain to be asked said. "And he's got to do both."
about reports of a cover-up. Contributing: William Ringle
News reports claim a cover-
up story was drafted for ex-CIA
director William Casey ? now I
recovering from brain surgery I
? to be presented before the
Senate, saying the CIA believed
missile shipments to Iran were
UPI
GATES: Married father of two
called a very private person
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/06/05: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301270108-7