BRIEFING OF THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COVERT ACTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-69-5-5-5
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: May 10, 1975
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/20 : LOC-HAK-69-5-5-5
THE WHi'r~ Hous>~.
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5/14/75
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/20 : LOC-HAK-69-5-5-5 ~' ~=~
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/20 : LOC-HAK-69-5-5-5
THE ~VH1TE HC?USE
WASHINGTON
.SECRET
May lb, 1975
MEMORANDUM ~'OR
William E. Colby, Director
of Central Intelligence
SI7BJECTc .Briefing of the Senate Select Committee
on Covert Action
It is requested that a briefing on covert action be prepared for the
Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate 5el,~ct CaxYxrn.ittee an
CIA Uperations for delivery on Wednesday, May 14. The purpose of the
briefing is to open that phase of ;the Coxrxmittee's work dealing with
covert action by presenting in full the legal and political position of
the Executive Branch toward covert action as we11 as the operational
approach to the conduct of these actions since enactment of the National
Security. Act in 1947. The briefing should address the following areas
of Coxrarra.ittee interest:
Fundamental rationale of the Executive Branch in
justification of covert actions to include specific
and thorough treatment of the xelationship of these.
actions to the national .security.
The objectives to be met through covert operations,
Authorities which historically have formed the basis -w
in the' U. S. and other countries w- for the conduct of
covert actions.
The. conceptual approach that has been pursued since
1947 in the planning and conduct of political., econvxnic
and paramilitary operations.
An historical summary of the organisation. of the U. 5.
Government for providing policy guidance, considering,
approving and evaluating covert operations.
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
SECRET
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/20 : LOC-HAK-69-5-5-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/20 : LOC-HAK-69-5-5-5
5ECR.ET
A suxximary presentation of specific illustrative
operations selected fxoxn the entire experience of
U. 5. covert action. The pxesen.tatian of these
illustrative aperations shauld not, however, include
the names of ixid.ividuals ax p~.aces involved in .the
garticulax operation.
It is requested that the text of the briefing, which is to be delivered
aral.ly, be submitted for revievsr to the Coux~el to the President no later
than noon an Tuesday, May ].3, 1975.
Brexa:t Scowcraft
Lieutenant General, USAF
Deputy Assistant to the President
far Natianal Security Affairs
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/20 : LOC-HAK-69-5-5-5