REVIEW OF INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES IN PANAMA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 3, 2009
• Sequence Number: 50
• Publication Date: August 10, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

.k 1 A
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/03 LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4
i r}IIM - k
SECRET /SENSITIVE
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. KISSINGER
FROM: Viron P. VakyY
SUBJECT: Review of Intelligence Activities
25X1
action to reduce the number of personnel.
The President approved both recommendati ns and instructed the agencies to
implement them. The directive at Tab B caked for a status report by August 1
on action taken to achieve better coordination, and a r eport by November I on
The August 1 status reports from CIA and Defe se on coordination are attached
at Tab A. Both reports agree that close and in- epth coordination has been
effected in a very satisfactory manner; unnecess r duplication has been elimi-
nated, and a coordination mechanis has 25X1
been established o these coordina-
tion arrangements have been reviewed and approve 25:25X1
Representatives of both agencies tell me that the arrahgen.ents are truly satis-
factory and an improvement over previous procedures. I think at this point
nothing further need be done.
A further report on steps taken to reduce the number f so=4 25X1
is due November 1. h efense memo at
Tarbi notes now, however, that Defense personnel enga a in such operations
will be reduced 30% by September 1, 1970. 25X1
MORI/CDF
C05097569
Attachments:
TabA -
Tab B - Directive of May 4, 1970
SECRET /SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/03: LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4
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 SECRET SENSITIVE
SPECIAL HANDLING REQUIRED
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 30301
3 1 JUL 1970
Honorable Henry A. Kissinger
Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20501
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/03: LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4
Dear Dr. Kissinger:
This is a report of actions taken in response to the directive contained
in your memorandum of May 4, 1970, subject, "Review of Intelligence
Activity in Panama."
The number of U.S. military personnel directly involved in clandestine
collection operations in Panama has been reduced from a high of 27 case
officers on 1 December 1969 to 21 case officers by mid-June 1970. Our
projections indicate the figure will be further reduced to 19 case
officers by 1 September 1970, which is approximately a reduction of 30%
and currently is the end strength objective.
Close and in-depth coordination has been effected
Command (SOUTHCOM) that coordination action on all projects had been
completed, with the exception of one project which at that time was in
the final stages of coordination.
in Panama and on 26 June 1970, he informed the U.S. Southern
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Complete knowledge of all SOUTHCOM
clandestine collection operations will enable 25X1
him to keep the Ambassador informed of all SOUTHCOM related activities.
To further strengthen the intelligence cooperation procedures in Panama,
Committee (EAC) was established, Through the EAC the 25X1
Military, and Panama Canal Internal Security Office
directors will be represented in one operational center during crisis periods.
This provides the mechanism for immediate
tion of assets.
25X1
F
Courtesy copies of this letter have been furnished Secretary of State and
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/03: LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4 _......~
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/03: LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/03: LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/03: LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4
THE WHITE HOUSE
SECRET /SENSITIVE,
May 4, 1970
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
DIRECTOR, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
SUBJECT: Revi?w of Intelligence Activities
The President has reviewed the joint memorandum of February 25 sub-
mitted by Secretary Laird and Mr. Helms on the above subject. He has
also reviewed Secretary Rogers' memorandum of March 26.
The President apprcves the recommendation mace by Secretary Laird
and Mr. Helms that the number of U. S. intelliger.ce personnel involved
be reduced and non-essential dupli-
He directs that appropriate: action be taken to
implement this reco emendation, and he requests a status report on
action taken be subrx.itted to him by November 1.
He directs that appropriate measure 3 be taken under the
. relevant responsibil, ties of the Ambassador and CJNC Southern Com-
mand to insure that ' his coordination is achieved. He requests a
status report on act: on taken be submitted to him by August 1.
The President further directs that the Ambassador be kept fully i
formed by all a encies
including Relation-
ships that are maintained with persons with whom the Ambassador
has contact.
f
Henry A. Kissinger
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25X1
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No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/03: LOC-HAK-7-4-50-4