REMARKS OF WILLIAM J. CASEY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BEFORE THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE THURSDAY, 15 MAY 1985

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CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3
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May 15, 1985
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Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 REMARKS OF WILLIAM J? CASEY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BEFORE THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE THURSDAY, IS MAY 1985 J. W? MARRIOTT HOTEL WASHINGTON, D? C? Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ITS A GREAT PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO BE SPEAKING BEFORE THE $OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN .JEWISH COMMITTEE- THIS AFTERNOON I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE PROBLEM OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM " A SCOURGE THAT INCREASINGLY IS BEGINNING TO DOMINATE OUR LIVES AND TIMES- BUT BEFORE I BEGIN, LET ME SAY THAT IT IS A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE TO APPEAR BEFORE A GROUP THAT HAS DONE SO MUCH ITSELF TO FIGHT THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE- I KNOW THAT RABBI TANENBAUM AND THE AMERICAN .JEWISH COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE EFFORT TO MOBILIZE A BROAD NATIONAL CONSTITUENCY IN THIS COUNTRY IN SUPPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION- LET ME TELL YOU THAT THOSE OF US INSIDE GOVERNMENT NEED YOUR HELP AND APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS- TERRORISM IS A CANCER THAT IS SPREADING- IN 1983 WE RECORDED ABOUT SOO INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST INCIDENTS; LAST YEAR THE NUMBER ROSE TO ABOUT 8UO? THE UNITED STATES AND ITS FRIENDS AND ALLIES CONTINUE TO BE THE PRIMARY TARGETS- THE NUMBER OF PERSONS KILLED OR INJURED IN 1985 EXCEEDED Z,2OO--MORE THAN ANY OTHER YEAR, MORE EVEN THAN THE TERRIBLE TOLL IN 1983 WHEN THE US AND FRENCH CONTINGENTS OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN LEBANON WERE BOMBED- THE RISING CASUALTY RATE REFLECTS THE INCREASED USE OF LARGE BOMBS-BY TERRORISTS AS WELL AS GREATER WILLINGNESS TO HARM INNOCENT BYSTANDERS THROUGH INDISCRIMINATE ATTACKS- Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 THE CAPABILITY OF THE TERRORIST TO KILL, MAIM, KIDNAP, AND TORTURE HIS VICTIMS HAS BEEN ENORMOUSLY ENHANCED BY STATE SPONSORSHIP- LIBYA, SYRIA, AND IRAN USE TERRORISM AS AN INSTRUMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY- THEY HIRE AND SUPPORT ESTABLISHED TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY AROUND THE WORLD? THESE COUNTRIES MAKE THEIR OFFICIALS, THEIR EMBASSIES, THEIR DIPLOMATIC POUCHES, THEIR COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS, AND THEIR TERRITORY AS SAFEHAVEN FOR THESE CRIMINALS AVAILABLE TO PLAN, DIRECT AND EXECUTE BOMBINGS, ASSASSINATIONS, KIDNAPPINGS AND OTHER TERRORIST OPERATIONS- THEY HAVE OPERATED LARGELY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND IN EUROPE~ TODAY THEY ARE NOW SPREADING THEIR WINGS INTO THIS HEMISPHERE~ THE THREAT TO US FACILITIES, PERSONNEL, AND INTERESTS IS PARTICULARLY HIGH IN COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, AND PERU WHERE STRONGLY ANTI'US TERRORIST GROUPS ARE ACTIVE- THE LINK BETWEEN LIBYAN' AND CUBAN'SPONSORED TERRORISM AND NICARAGUAN'SPONSORED TERRORISM IS LARGE AND GROWING LARGER~ FOR SOME YEARS, THE LIBYANS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THE SANDINISTA GOVERNMENT IN NICARAGUA WITH SOMETHING LIKE $lOU MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR- YOU~LL REMEMBER HOW NICARAGUAN'SUPPORTED INSURGENTS IN EL SALVADOR KILLED OUR MARINES AT A CAFE IN THE CAPITAL OF THAT COUNTRY- ., Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 WE NOW SEE NICARAGUA TRAINING YOUNG MEN FOR VIOLENCE AND SUBVERSION, SENDING THEM INTO SOUTH AMERICA "INTO COLOMBIA FOR THE ATTACK ON THE PALACE OF .JUSTICE IN BOGOTA AND AS FAR SOUTH AS CHILE- YOUNG MEN FROM LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES ARE BEING SENT TO LIBYA FOR TRAINING IN THE TERRORIST CAMPS THERE AND THEN BROUGHT BACK TO BE PLANTED AMONG THE POPULATION IN CENTRAL AMERICA, IN VENEZUELA, IN ECUADOR- IF THE SANDINISTA REGIME CONSOLIDATES ITSELF, WE CAN EXPECT MANAGUA TO BECOME THE BEIRUT OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE- THERE IS A SOVIET CONNECTION AND SUPPORT FOR ALL THIS? WHILE SOME REFER TO THAT CONNECTION AS SHADOWY, IT SEEMS VERY REAL TO ME? THE STATES I HAVE JUST MENTIONED ARE NOT NECESSARILY CLOSE ALLIES TO MOSCOW, BUT THEY SHARE A FUNDAMENTAL HOSTILITY TO THE WEST- THE SOVIETS, WHO HOLD NO MORAL OBJECTIONS TO THE USE OF TERRORISM AND SEE MUCH OF THE UNREST IT CREATES AS ULTIMATELY BENEFICIAL TO THEIR FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES, DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO BLOCK TERRORISM OR TO JOIN IN MULTILATERAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT IT? IN BACKING REVOLUTIONARY CAUSES AGAINST ESTABLISHED GOVERNMENTS, IT IS LARGELY A MATTER OF INDIFFERENCE TO THE SOVIETS WHETHER TERRORIST TACTICS ARE USED AS LONG AS THE GROUPS THAT COMMIT THESE ACTS ATTACK NON'SOVIET OR NON'BLOC TARGETS- AND SOVIET SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM COMES PACKAGED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS RANGING FROM DIRECT TRAINING OF TERRORIST PERSONNEL TO POLITICAL BACKING AND FUNDING FOR STATES ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN SPONSORING TERRORISM- z Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 THE EAST EUROPEANS, ALMOST CERTAINLY WITH SOVIET KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT, PROVIDE SAFEHAVEN, TRANSIT PRIVILEGES AND MOVEMENT OF WEAPONS BOMBS FOR TERRORISTS? BULGARIANS STATE TRADING ORGANIZATION KINTEX "WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A STATE SMUGGLING OPERATION" AND CZECHOSLOVAKIANS COMPARABLE ORGANIZATION OMNIPOL ARE AMONG THE MOST PROMINENT COMPANIES WHOSE WEAPONS EVENTUALLY HAVE APPEARED IN TERRORIST HANDS? LET ME NOW TURN TO THE PROBLEMS US INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS AND COUNTERTERRORISM POLICYMAKERS AS THEY SEEK 70 TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM? YOU~VE ALL HEARD AN ENDLESS STREAM OF COMMENTARY CALLING FOR A MUCH GREATER INTELLIGENCE EFFORT AGAINST TERRORISM? I COULDN~T AGREE MORE? BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE MADE A REMARKABLE AMOUNT OF PROGRESS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS? IN ORDER TO PREVENT TERRORIST PLANS OR DISRUPT THEIR ACTIVITIES, WE NEED INFORMATION ABOUT THEM? BUT THE VERY NATURE OF TERRORIST GROUPS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES MAKES THIS TASK EXTREMELY COMPLICATED? TERRORIST GROUPS ARE VERY SMALL, MAKING PENETRATION A VERY DIFFICULT TASK FOR POLICE OR INTELLIGENCE AGENTS? h10RE0VER, THE OPERATING LIFE OF ANY SINGLE GROUP OF TERRORISTS IS OFTEN NO MORE THAN A FEW YEARS? LIKEWISE, TYPICAL TERRORIST LEADERS HAVE A RELATIVELY SHORT BUSINESS LIFE- n Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 SO HUW DO WE GO ABOUT IT? FIRST, WE ARE ACAUIRING AS MUCH INFORMATION AS WE CAN ABOUT TERRORIST GROUPS INCLUDING MODUS OPERANDI, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, PERSONNEL SUPPORT, FINANCIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS ARRANGEMENTS, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER GROUPS OR STATE SPONSORS. POUCH OF THIS IS JUST HARD RESEARCH, COMPILING A LARGE DATA BASE AND ATTEMPTING TO FILL IN THE GAPS. IT IS NOT VERY GLAMOROUS AND PEOPLE WHO DO IT DO NOT CAPTURE THE HEADLINES. BUT IT IS THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH THE US COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORT RESTS. CONTINUING COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ENABLES US TO IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO DETECT TRENDS IN TERRORISM OPERATIONS, UPGRADE SECURITY IN AREAS MOST LIKELY AT RISK, AND DETERMINE VULNERABILITIES OF TERRORIST GROUPS. WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE A SYSTEM OF RAPID COMMUNICATIONS TO GATHER ASSESSMENTS, HAVE REPORTS TESTED BY EXPERTS THROUGHOUT OUR GOVERNMENT, AND PASS CONCLUSIONS AND WARNINGS AUICKLY TO THE POINT OF THE THREAT. ACTION BASED ON OUR INTELLIGENCE, ALONG WITH THAT OF OTHER FRIENDLY COUNTRIES INCLUDING MODERATE ARAB GOVERNMENTS, HAS BEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT A GREAT MANY PLANNED TERRORIST ATTACKS AROUND THE WORLD. THE RATE OF EFFECTIVE WARNING IS INCREASING, RISING TO 26 DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL THIS YEAR. SOMETIMES WE FALL JUST HEARTBREAKINGLY SHORT OF SUCCESS AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE BERLIN NIGHTCLUB BOMBING LAST MONTH. Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 YOU HAVE HEARD THE PRESIDENTS STATEMENT OUTLINING THE EVIDENCE FOR THE LIBYAN COMPLICITY IN THE BERLIN BOMBING. WE ALSO HAVE COMPELLING EVIDENCE OF LIBYAN INVOLVEMENT IN ATTEMPTS TO ATTACK OTHER US TARGETS, SEVERAL OF WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO CAUSE MAXIMUM CASUALTIES SIMILAR TO THE BERLIN BOMBING. " FRANCE EXPELLED TWO MEMBERS OF THE LIBYAN PEOPLE S BUREAU IN PARIS FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN A PLANNED ATTACK ON VISA APPLICANTS WAITING IN LINE AT THE US EMBASSY. FRANCE SUBSEQUENTLY EXPELLED TWO DISGRUNTLED FATAH FORCE 17 MEMBERS RECRUITED BY LIBYA TO CONDUCT ANOTHER OPERATION AGAINST THE UNITED STATES IN PARIS. IN EARLY APRIL A LIBYAN'INSPIRED PLOT TO ATTACK 7HE US EMBASSY IN BEIRUT WAS ABORTED WHEN THE lO7 MM ROCKET EXPLODED ON LAUNCH. " TURKISH POLICE IN LATE MARCH ARRESTED TWO TUNISIANS IN ISTANBUL WHO CLAIMED THEY WERE PLANNING ON BEHALF OF THE LIBYANS TO USE EXPLOSIVES AGAINST A US TARGET IN TURKEY; THE OPERATION WAS PLANNED TO INFLICT HEAVY CASUALTIES- ALL IN ALL, NEARLY 5O LIBYAN DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED RECENTLY FROM SPAIN, ITALY, FRANCE AND WEST GERMANY. IN FACT, SO FAR THIS YEAR WE HAVE REPORTS OF WELL OVER 3S LIBYAN' ASSOCIATED THREATS, INCLUDING SURVEILLANCE OF PLANNED ATTACKS AGAINST US PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES IN EUROPE, AFRICA AND ASIA. c Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 TOGETHER WITH THE INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY SERVICES OF FRIENDLY COUNTRIES, WE HAVE DEVELOPED A WORLDWIDE 000NTER- TERRORIST NETWORK WHICH FUNCTIONS THROUGH INTELLIGENCE EXCHANGES, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND JOINT OPERATIONS. THE TERRORISTS ARE EVERYWHERE, MOVING SILENTLY ACROSS BORDERS AND STRIKING WITH AS MUCH STEALTH AND SURPRISE AS THEY CAN MANAGE. THIS APPARATUS MUST BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THEM, PASS WORD ON THEIR MOVEMENTS, PICK THEM UP OR ABORT THEIR PLANS, OR OTHERWISE DEFEND AGAINST THEM. WE HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY EFFECTIVE IN THIS AND OUR CAPABILITIES ARE IMPROVING. I TAKE THIS OCCASION TO FURTHER A NECESSARY DIALOGUE ON HOW WE CAN OVERCOME WHAT I CONSIDER THE GREATEST SINGLE IMPEDIMENT TO PROTECTING OUR INTERESTS AND OUR CITIZENS FROM THE SCOURGE OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM.. IN RECENT YEARS, PUBLICATION OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION BY THE MEDIA HAS DESTROYED OR SERIOUSLY DAMAGED INTELLIGENCE SOURCES OF THE HIGHEST VALUE. EVERY METHOD WE HAVE OF ACQUIRING INTELLIGENCE-'OUR AGENTS, OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER SECURITY SERVICES, OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ELECTRONIC CAPABILITIES, THE INFORMATION WE GET FROM COMMUNICATIONS-'HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY THE PUBLICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURES. IN RECENT WEEKS AND MONTHS, A FLOOD OF INFORMATION AND MISINFORMATION HAS APPEARED IN PRINT AND ON THE AIR WAVES. 7 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 YOU~VE ALL SEEN IT? BEFORE THE PRESIDENT SPOKE TO OUR PEOPLE AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAD ABOUT LIBYAN DIRECTION OF THE ATTACK ON ALLIED SOLDIERS IN THE BERLIN NIGHTCLUB, MAJOR NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS MAGAZINES PUBLISHED THAT LIBYAN COMMUNICATIONS WERE BEING READ. THE LIBYANS STOPPED USING THOSE COMMUNICATIONS AND THIS IS BOUND TO PUT OTHER PEACEFUL CITIZENS IN JEOPARDY. THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WE MUST ADDRESS IF OUR FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS TO SUCCEED. THIS IS A DELICATE AND CRITICAL PROBLEM, AND I WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND PRECISE IN ADDRESSING IT? LET ME FIRST SAY THAT I YIELD TO NO ONE IN MY RESPECT FOR THE MEDIA AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR IT AND FOR THEIR FUNCTION IN OUR SOCIETY. IT HAS BEEN MY OWN PERSONAL ACTIVITY IN NEWSPAPERS, BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND ELECTRONIC BROADCASTING THAT HAS GIVEN ME THE CAPITAL TO RUN A PERSONAL DEFICIT FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS IN ORDER TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY. I RESPECT THE DILIGENCE AND INGENUITY OF THE WORKING PRESS IN GATHERING AND PUBLISHING NEWS AND APPLAUD ITS EXPOSURE OF WASTE, INEFFICIENCY, CORRUPTION AND OTHER MISCONDUCT. IN SHORT, I SPEAK FROM 3U YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A FRIEND, PARTICIPANT AND SUPPORTER OF THE MEDIA. I HAVE TWO POINTS THAT I FEEL I MUST MAKE AT THIS TIME IN ORDER TO DISCHARGE THE OBLIGATION SPECIFICALLY PLACED ON ME BY THE LAW OF OUR LAND TO PROTECT INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND METHODS- Approved For Release 2011/07/21 CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 PUT VERY SIMPLY, THEY ARE FIRST THAT THE MEDIA LIKE EVERYONE ELSE MUST ADHERE TO THE LAW- SECOND, ALL OF US HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO BALANCE IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION~ IN THE FACE OF THE NEW DANGEROUS THREATS THAT WE FACE FROM INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, NOW IS THE TIME TO MUTUALLY ADDRESS THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES TOGETHER IN A SERIOUS AND MEASURED WAY. CONGRESS, SHORTLY AFTER IT ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY TO GATHER SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE, IN 1950 ENACTED A LAW WHICH PROHIBITS THE PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE- THERE HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD VIOLATION OF THAT LAW OVER RECENT WEEKS AND MONTHS- ~~IUCH DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE. KAY GRAHAM, THE PUBLISHER OF THE WASHINGTON POST, IN A RECENT VERY THOUGHTFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECH CITED THE KIND OF DAMAGE WHICH WE HAVE SUSTAINED- SHE TOLD HOW A TELEVISION NETWORK AND A COLUMNIST HAD OBTAINED INFORMATION THAT WE WERE READING THE MESSAGES OF PEOPLE ARRANGING THE BOMBING OF THE U?S? EMBASSY IN BEIRUT. SHORTLY AFTER THIS PUBLIC DISCLOSURE, THAT TRAFFIC STOPPED- THIS UNDERMINED OUR EFFORTS TO CAPTURE THE TERRORIST LEADERS AND ELIMINATED A SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT FUTURE ATTACKS. WHERE THERE ALREADY HAS BEEN PUBLIC DISCLOSURE ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE, THE~LAW HAS BEEN VIOLATED BUT THE MILK HAS BEEN SPILLED- I WOULD NOT, THEREFORE, AT THIS TIME FAVOR ACTION FOR THESE PAST OFFENSES- BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IF WE ARE TO PROTECT OUR SECURITY AS A NATION y Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 AND THE SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS IN THIS AGE OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND INTERCONTINENTAL MISSILES, THE LAW NOW ON THE BOOKS TO PROTECT A VERY NARROW SEGMENT OF INFORMATION, THAT DEALING WITH COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE, MUST NOW BE ENFORCED. THERE ARE OTHER LARGE AREAS OF INFORMATION ABOUT OUR INTELLIGENCE, OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER NATIONS WHICH CAN AND FREQUENTLY SHOULD BE PUBLISHED WITHOUT VIOLATING ANY LAW. BUT THERE ARE SITUATIONS IN WHICH MANY OF US BELIEVE THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY, BEFORE RUSHING INTO PRINT OR ONTO THE AIR WAVES, TO WEIGH AND CONSIDER THE DANGER TO LIFE AND LIMB OF OUR CITIZENS AND OTHERS AND TO THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND THE REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY OF OUR NATION. THE TEMPTATION TO GO BEYOND THE FACTS AND PIECE TOGETHER AND STRETCH FRAGMENTS OF INFORMATION IN ORDER TO MAKE A PUBLISHABLE STORY AND SOMETIMES IN ORDER TO SENSATIONALIZE IS A DANGEROUS THING. IT CAN AND HAS COST LIVES. IT CAN WRONGLY IMPAIR REPUTATIONS AND DISRUPT RELATIONSHIPS CRITICAL TO OUR NATIONAL INTEREST- LET ME ILLUSTRATE WITH A TRUE STORY. DURING 1985, A WELL-KNOWN REPORTER CALLED THE INFORMATION OFFICER AT THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AND TOLD HIM HE HAD A STORY THAT WE HAD HELPED THE SECURITY SERVICE OF A FRIENDLY NATION STAGE A CAR BOMBING OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION WHICH HAD RESULTED IN DEATH OR INJURY TO A LARGE ~n Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 NUMBER OF RESIDENTS AND PASSERS-BY IN THE NE[GHBORHOOD? OUR OFFICER TOLD THE REPORTER THAT HIS INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT AND THAT THE CIA HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF AND NO INVOLVEMENT, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, IN THE ATTACK? FIE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF HE CHARGED US INVOLVEMENT, HE MIGHT WIND UP WITH BLOOD ON HIS HANDS? THE STORY WAS RUN IN HIS NEWSPAPER? IT GOT AROUND THE WORLn AND CREATED A FALSE IMPRESSION OF US INVOLVEMENT IN THE BOMBING? THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE INVESTIGATED THE MATTER AND CONCLUDED THAT "NO COMPLICITY OF DIRECT OR INDIRECT INVOLVEMENT CAN BE ESTABLISHED WITH RESPECT TO THE MARCH S BOMBING IN BEIRUT." BUT THIS CAME T00 LATEI A MONTH AFTER THE MISLEADING STORY WAS PUBLISHED TO THE WORLD, TERRORISTS HIJACKED A TWA PLANE AND ITS 153 PASSENGERS AND TOOK THEM TO BEIRUT. WHEN THE HIJACKERS SHOT AND KILLED AN AMERICAN SERVICEMAN, THEY CLAIMED IT TO BE IN RETALIATION FOR THE BOMBING IN BEIRUT IN WHICH THE REPORTER HAD INVOLVED THE CIA AFTER THE CIA~S SPOKESMAN HAD DENIED TO HIM ANY INVOLVEMENT, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, IN THE BOMBING. IN PUTTING THIS STORY TOGETHER, THE REPORTERS HAD TALKS WITH OFFICIALS IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND MEMBERS AND STAFFERS OF THE CONGRESS ABOUT COLLATERAL MATTERS INCLUDING OUR LONGTERM PRACTICE OF PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE SECURITY SERVICES OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUR CAPABILITIES AND COOPERATION ON COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND 000NTER- TERRORISM. 11 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 THIS KIND OF ASSISTANCE GOES BACK MANY YEARS- WE ARE DOING MORE OF THIS TO COPE WITH TODAY~S INTENSIFIED TERRORIST THREAT~ THIS DOES NOT MAKE US RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEAUENCES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES- THE REPORTER JUSTIFIED PUBLISHING THEIR STORY BY TAKING THE VIEW THAT THIS LONGSTANDING TRAINING SOMEHOW MADE US RESPONSIBLE FOR A PARTICULAR ACTION OF THE ORGANIZATION EVEN THOUGH WE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACTION AND NO CONTACT WITH THOSE WHO CARRIED IT OUT? THIS IS A TRAGIC STORY- THERE IS ENOUGH BLAME FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED TO SHARE- GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TALKED MORE THAN THE RULES PERMIT ON CLASSIFIED MATTERS- THE REPORTERS IGNORED ACCURATE INFORMATION WITH WHICH THEY WERE CAREFULLY, CLEARLY, AND HONESTLY PROVIDED- THEY STRETCHED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SCRAPS OF INFORMATION THEY GATHERED- WE AT THE CIA EITHER DID NOT HAVE TIME OR WERE N07 FAST ENOUGH IN BRINGING THE MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF MANAGEMENT AT THE NEWSPAPER- WE ALL MUST DO BETTER- THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE WORLD IN WHICH ALL OF US MUST MOVE WITH CAUTION AND RESPONSIBILITY~ CERTAINLY ANY RESPONSIBLE PERSON WOULD WANT TO EXERCISE SPECIAL CARE TO AVOID SETTING IN MOTION THIS KIND OF SEQUENCE OF EVENTS- i~ Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 AS WE SEE IT, MRS- GRAHAM STATED CORRECTLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEDIA IN SUCH MATTERS IN HER RECENT TALK- SHE CALLED FOR "---FULL COOPERATION WHEREVER POSSIBLE BETWEEN THE MEDIA AND THE AUTHORITIES- WHEN THE MEDIA OBTAINS ESPECIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION, WE ARE WILLING TO TELL THE AUTHORITIES WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND WHAT WE PLAN TO REPORT- AND WHILE RESERVING THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION OURSELVES, WE ARE ANXIOUS TO LISTEN TO ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHY INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE AIRED- [THE MEDIA] WANT TO DO NOTHING THAT WOULD ENDANGER HUMAN LIFE OR NATIONAL SECURITY- WE ARE WILLING TO COOPERATE WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN WITHHOLDING INFORMATION THAT COULD NAVE THOSE CONSEQUENCES-" WE HAVE BEEN GRATIFIED BY THE READINESS OF MANY REPORTERS AND EDITORS TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER SOMETIMES WITHHOLDING PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION WHICH COULD JEOPARDIZE NATIONAL INTERESTS OR TO TREAT OR PRESENT A STORY IN A MANNER WHICH MEETS THE PUBLIC NEED, YET MINIMIZES POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO INTELLIGENCE SOURCES~ THE TRICK IS TO RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGE AND TO CONSULT ON HOW IT MIGHT BE MINIMIZED- WE ARE ALWAYS READY AND AVAILABLE ON SHORT NOTICE TO HELP ON THAT? I HASTEN TO ADD, HOWEVER, THAT THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF PREVENTING THESE TYPES OF LEAKS IS TO INCREASE DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF- 1~ Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3 THE INABILITY TO CONTROL SENSITIVE INFORMATION IS DESTRUCTIVE OF THE MORALE OF PEOPLE WHO DO KEEP SECRETS, AS WELL AS DAMAGING TO OUR SECURITY- DURING THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE PRESIDENT HAS EMPHASIZED THE SPECIAL OBLIGATION FEDERAL WORKERS HAVE TO PROTECT THE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION WITH WHICH THEY ARE ENTRUSTED~ WE HAVE INCREASED AND MUST INTENSIFY OUR EFFORTS TO UNCOVER THOSE WHO VIOLATE THIS TRUST- WE ARE STUDYING PROCEDURES AND POSSIBLY NEW LAWS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO DECIDE ON THEIR OWN TO DISCLOSE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION- IN CONCLUSION, I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT ALL OF US HAVE A VERY SERIOUS CHALLENGE IN COPING WITH A RAPIDLY GROWING TERRORIST THREAT- WE ARE EAGER TO DEVELOP BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND CLOSER COOPERATION WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS AND OTHERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPING POLICIES AND EDUCATING OUR PEOPLE ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS DEVELOPMENT- I PARTICULARLY APPLAUD AND ENCOURAGE THE INTEREST AND EFFORTS OF MY GOOD FRIEND RABBI TANENBAUM AND OF THIS ORGANIZATION TO IMPLEMENT THE PUBLIC EDUCATION ASPECTS OF VICE PRESIDENT BUSH'S TASK FORCE REPORT ON COMBATTING TERRORISM- Approved For Release 2011/07/21 :CIA-RDP88G01117R001004110001-3