CIA: CONFRONTING UNDECLARED WAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00845R000100040002-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 8, 2010
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: June 1, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

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ARTICLE itPP FRED
66
AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE
June 1984
Confrontin
eclared
G uerrilia action, political upheaval, economic
subversion and disinformation are among the
many tactics being used against the Free World
by the forces of international Communism. In this
exclusive interview, America's intelligence chief,
CIA Director William J. Casey, assesses how the
US is faring in this battle.
Legion Magazine: Mr. Casey, what are the criti-
cal intelligence problems of the 1980s as you see them?
Director Casey: First and foremost is the ever-
growing military power of the Soviet Union. Second is the
destabilization and subversion of countries around' the
world by a combination of the Soviet Union and its Cuban,
Vietnamese, Ethiopian and Libyan proxies. Third are ter-
rorist activities that are increasingly sponsored by the
Communists and radical Arab states like Iran and Libya for
foreign policy purposes. Then, there's the deep unrest of all
those captive'peoples under the Soviet yoke, like the Poles.
The Arab states around the Mediterranean and the states
having proximity to the Persian Gulf present a hornet's
nest of intelligence problems. The list is lengthy.
Q. Is all this a scenario for eventual open conflict?
I'm afraid that too few people in a peaceful place like
A. America understand the real nature of what's
going on around the world. The hard fact is, we are con-
fronted with an undeclared war by the forces of interna-
tional Communism as well as some radical Arab states.
Terrorism has reached a stage where the distinction be-
tween war and peace is often obscured. The Soviet Union's
KGB is waging constant warfare against the US, using
techniques of propaganda, disinformation and other so-
called "active measures" such as stealing or otherwise im-
properly acquiring our best technology; destabilizing weak
governments; undermining trade and national economies,
and providing weapons and training to insurgents who seek
to overthrow non-Communist governments. At the same
time, the Soviets seek to build an overwhelming military
power that can be used to intimidate others and make polit-
ical gains.
Q. What's the main hope for countering these forces
around the world?
The CIA is the one worldwide force that can cope with
/i. the tactics practiced in this undeclared war. Other
countries have effective intelligence and security agencies.
By working closely with them, by sharing information and
technological capabilities, we have mounted an effective
worldwide counter-force. Hence, the KGB and its
auxiliaries-the East Europeans, the Cubans, the Viet-
namese, the Nicaraguans-apply increasing amounts of
manpower, money and subversive skills in an effort to de-
stroy us and our capabilities.
Q. How is this undeclared war going?
I think we are doing better. Over the years, the
A. Communists were very successful in supporting
guerrilla action and destabilizing and overthrowing gov-
ernments. Communists came into control in Ethiopia, An-
gola, Nicaragua and, of course, in Cuba and Vietnam. In
the past couple of years, however, they've been encounter-
ing increasing resistance. People in these countries are less
willing to take Communist oppression lying down. They are
more aware of what the Communists are really up to, and
there is growing resistance to it.
Q. Much has been heard about the operations of the
KGB and others in stealing our industrial secrets.
How damaging is this espionage work?
Soviet industrial espionage is a serious problem.
A. Through KGB operations, America ends up contribut-
ing indirectly to the build-up, the accuracy and precision of
Soviet weapons which, in effect, finds us competing with
our own technology. This has forced us to make budget-
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appropriations to come up with more adequate de-
boating fense forces. However, we now fully recognize he problem
and are doing a better counter-espionage job. Last year
well over 100 Soviet agents were arrested, ki out or
defected around the world, most of them engaged itechnology.
Q. Why do we tolerate all these agents within the US,
including those disguised as diplomatic personnel?
Well, we don't just tolerate them. The FBI is respon-
ABible for combatting Soviet espionage inside the US.
The Soviets certainly have more agents in this country than
we have in theirs. We work very hard to put them out of
business and are having a fairly good success rate. Yet,
sometimes it is better to watch what they are doing for a
while, to see what else is out there, instead of immediately
grabbing and deporting them.
"Soviet espionage is a serious
problem. Through KGB opera tions,
America ends up contributing
indirectly to the build-up, accuracy
and precision of Soviet weapons
which, in effect, finds us competing
with our own technology."
Q. How successful is the West in prying critical in-
formation out of the USSR?
The reality we face is asymmetry in the availability of
A. information. In our open society anybody can get lots
of information. Their society is closed and their data is our closely held. That's the nature of the beasnit makes
US is
job a lot tougher. On the other hand, openness
the source of our vitality. Here, people can build, exchange
and acquire knowledge without hindrance. The Soviets pay
of a
a steep price for their restricted freedom in the form
change
deadening internal climate. But I'm sure they won't their ways, so our task will remain challenging.
Q. How serious a threat is terrorism within the US?
Well, it's a very serious threat worldwide. It is clear
A. that some countries have adopted terrorism as a
cheap. and inexpensive foreign policy weapon, and use it in
assorted ways to create diplomatic upheaval. American dip-
lomatic institutions have already suffered deeply from
terrorism-as, for instance, in Lebanon-and I think that
we will see more of it abroad and here in America.
Q. Is the CIA adequately equipped to deal with all
these problems? taon. It
The CIA is a capable, hard-hitting org
ALwas developed over 36 years ago by truly dedicated
people. It is staffed today by people just as dedicated.
There is a whole range of technical and security needs that
can be handled only by the CIA-and, along with the mili-
tary and other intelligence agencies making up the Ameri-
can intelligence community, we do have the people capable
of gathering and analyzing the information needed by our
policymakers in Washington.
William J. Casey, who served in the OSS in WWII,
is it former chairman of the Securities lie
Commission and the Export- P?~ Bank.
was named CIA director in 1981.
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J.
Q. Why did the CIA lose that support in the '70s?
Any particular areas which need strengthening. support was lost in the '70s because there was a lot of
put
Of course. Intelligence is by no means a perfect ecH As u t out about misconduct in
those allega-
A. ence. In the '70s the intelligence budget was cut, /~. misinformation
percent, and numbers of people reduced by 50 per-' intelligence activities. With few exceptions,
come 40 cent. Now, we're rebuilding our capabilities. Advanced tions turned out to be false. Yet, while the charges would
technical systems have given us the ability to get a lot of appear on the front pages of newspapers, the corrections or
ce, ese charges also
nback ews maple and others were
information that we couldn't before, and we get information denials pnl~idcaal ~UeB the
faster and in larger quantities. The problem, increasingly, that has finally
is being able to process the information-to analyze it so tempted to sensationalize them. Now int all when responsible
le can understand and use it. Tb cope with this died down. We reached a turning po
enormous poop intake, we've hired many computer and informa- members of Congress took pains to set the record straight
and to develop an oversight process that restored
i e
tion experts.
In this connection, I might mention that the CIA is not confidence in the way the CIA operates. Then the present
sup-
Athat ll it
had the effect
looking for spies; we're looking for patriots, friends and administration came iince showed
supporters-for people who understand the endless differ- ported sound intellige been effect
ence between human freedom and totalitarianism and who of rebuilding internal morale, and we've really
we upswing ever since.
are willing to put themselves on the line for the things
in America believe in. Q? Mr. Casey, what about leaks of intelligence on
Q particularly through Freedom
Q. What roles do you carry out as head of our overall what the i
Act requests: Is this a problem and, if
f Information is
intelligence community7 should be done about it
. I wear three hats, First, I am the President's principal so, what The publicizing of secret and classified information is
intelligence adviser. I'm also charged with coordinat- ' A "highly damaging. It's damaging to the tremendous ef-
Department the intelligence community, which includes CIA, the s into getting people to help us around the
Department of State, Defense, Treasury, Energy and the . fort that goes
that is, the nation's whole intelligence apparatus, in- world. The Freedom of Information Act makes people p eluding military intelligence and specialized activities. And abroad wonder
that anonymity sf
help whether We scan prole frotheir
burden
us.
thirdly, I head the CIA itself. For the most part, the var- they agree
work to- we can regain their confidence and restore the capabilities
noun components of the intelligence community
gether. Having access to all areas of intelligence lets us we had before.
develop a more thorough assessment of facts. Q- What kind of relief?
that would make our opera-
A bill is before Congress
s. tional files exempt from Freedom of Information
Kc-t requests. We can now withhold information that is
classified, but we are required by the law to laboriously
search our files anyway. This means using experienced case
officers to make judgments as to the jeopardy we would be
putting our operations-and people in if we released the in-
formation. That's a great waste of talent. At times as many
as 4-to-5 percent of our best people are going over our op-
erational files and searching-sometimes because of frivol-
ous requests. If they were not tied up doing this, they
would be out on the firing line developing intelligence, our
real mission. Also, the fact that our operational files would
no longer be subject to search and exposure would be of
considerable comfort to those people. who would otherwise
. ~ _%-.4
ersonal
p
th
ho
-
wore: wi
can keep secrets.
in Langley, Vs. safety and whether we in this country
The CIA aperatea from this headquarters .
an insight into policy. Q? Do the American people have adequate cheeks
' Then, as a Cabinet officer, I get what is against the possibility of CIA misusing its powers, es-
deliberations. This is very important in determining ?ally
Therein's an covert oversigoperations?
critical and what we must focus on in producing the. most Pecht process that is carefully and dl?
works to as-
relevant intelligence. A. gently exercised by the Congress and it
Q. Do you have any problems in getting support from sure that the things we undertake are reported to our
d Congress? , oversight committees and subject to their scrutiny. better than
the White House an strong support from both this that's the best protection of all. It's certainly
No. We have received to piece information together from old documents on
A administration and from Congress. We have had con- hoping requests.
siderable increases in our budget and other resources, events long past that come from FOIA which is essential to our rebuilding effort. r,rii"70.1
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Q. Have you had problems with leaks on Capitol Hill?
Occasionally, but I consider that part of the process. It
A. is not something that happens often. And the
ntional
t
i
.
e
n
record shows that such leaks usually are un
q.
A. Only that the older leadership is still not prepared to
see power go to the next generation. Also, you must
recognize that the Communists rule by a committee ur
group system. Who's on top seems to have made little
difference since the days of Stalin.
Q. What do you consider the primary weakness of the
temp
Soviet gys
Q operate abroad, does this The rigidity and ineffectiveness of their bureaucratic
. bi CIA can only A. control system and the stifling effect that has on the
make it t more e difficult to counter er terrorism and espion? Russian people and their economic and social systems. This
age within the US? is overlaid on intense demographic problems-a large and
There is very close and effective cooperation between rapidly growing percentage of non-Slavic Soviet peoples do
abroadA. the e CIA and FBI. We pick up a lot of information not fully identify with the Soviet state or the ruling elite.
We get advance notice about who is coming in and
h FBI and
why they are coming. We pass this data on w . e
they take over from there. The FBI, like every organiza-
tion, has problems but it's doing a good job. It has in-
creased the number of agents, its resources and its-techni-
cal capabilities to deal with the rising threat of hostile in-
telligence and terrorist threats. It isn't only the Soviets
who steal our secrets, by the way. The East bloc countries
do a lot of it for them. The FBI has to handle all such prob-
lems in this country.
"Communists rule by a
committee system. Whos
on top [has] made little
difference since Stalin.
Q. We repeatedly hear that the Russian people, in-
cluding many of that nation's officials, are fed up with
Communism. Should we be doing anything to encour-
age more defections?
Sure we should. The Soviets have lost agents through
M. defection and others have been expelled-more lately has than in a very long tim~o and gectiveework among the
been caused by coopsra
intelligence services of the western world.
Q. Does Andropov's death and Chernenko's ap-
in Soviet behavior?
h
ange
pointment portend any real c
CIA Director
Casey during
interview
with I:e9wn
Magazine's
editor-in-chief.
Q. Do you see any real hope of Communist Russia
ever abandoning its goals of world domination, or
finally getting together with us and trying to achieve
some kind of peaceful settlement of our differences.?
time when
~ It would be very difficult to identify any
/K. that might happen. Of course, you hope and pursue
whatever possibilities open up. We hope their sanity will
return one day and that they will see the folly of simply
building up huge armaments and turn, instead, to joining
us in building a better world.
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