CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY -- U.S. V. NORIEGA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90M00005R000600070008-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 29, 2013
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: March 10, 1988
• Content Type: MEMO

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flPA P1F (1(11-t}
OCA 0693-88
10 March 1988
NOTE FOR GENERAL COUNSEL
FROM:
SUBJECT: Congressional Testimony -- U.S. V. Noriega
1. Russ, I have learned from Rob Roth who has been in
contact with Ed Walsh of DOJ that Mr. John Martin, Chief of the
Internal Security Branch at Justice, has expressed concern over
the pending scheduled testimony of the DDI before the House
Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control regarding the
charges against General Noriega. (I understand that the
hearing is scheduled for 16 March 1988.)
2. Mr. Martin has asked for a copy of the letter from
Chairman Rangle to the Director requesting testimony from an
Agency official (see attached), and has further advised us that
any response to the Committee, as well as prepared testimony
should first be coordinated with DOJ's Office of Legislative
Affairs.
3. F.nally_ T Alcn understand that the DDI's Executive
Assistant has requested guidance from us on how
the DDI may respond to any questions concerning the Noriega
indictments.
Attachment
CC:
Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs
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STAT
STAT
STAT
STA7
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RANKING MINORITY MEMBER
LAWRENCE COUGHLIN. PENNSYLVANIA
E. CLAY SHAW. JR., FLORIDA
MICHAEL G. OXLEY, OHIO
STAN PARRIS. VIRGINIA
DUNCAN HUNTER. CALIFORNIA
JOSEPH J. DioGUARDI. NEW YORK
F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER. JR.. WISCONSIN
ROBERT K. DORNAN, CALIFORNIA
TOM LEWIS, FLORIDA
PETER W ROVINO. JR., NEW JERSEY
FORTNEY 1.ETEI STARK. CALIFORNIA
Hi.SCHEthER, NEW YORK
,DISS COLLINS, ILLINOIS
AKAKA, HAWAII
FRANK J.tc,'UARINI, NEW JERSEY
DANTE ff. FASCELL. FLORIDA
WALTER E. FAUNTROY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WILLIAM J. HUGHES, NEW JERSEY
MEL LEyINE, CALIFORNIA
SOLOMON P. oRTIZ, TEXAS
LAWRENCE J. SMITH, FLORIDA
EDOLPHUS "ED" TOWNS, NEW YORK
JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR., OHIO
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SELECT COMMITTEE ON
NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL
ROOM H2-234, HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING ANNEX 2
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6425
COMMITTEE PHONE [phone]
February 23, 1988
The Honorable William H. Webster
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear Judge Webster:
...... rwcy?
EDWARD H. JURITH
STAFF DIRECTOR
ELLIOTT A. BROWN
MINORITY STAFF DIRECTOR
As you know, the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and
Control conducted hearings in June 1986 on the serious allega-
tions that appeared in the press concerning General Manuel
Antonio Noriega, Commander of the Panama Defense Forces and de
facto leader of Panama. The news reports alleged that Noriega
was extensively involved in drug trafficking, money laundering
and other illegal activities.
At that time, the State Department, the Drug Enforcement
Administration, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense
Intelligence Agency told us that they had no evidence to support
these allegations. None of our witnesses had any idea where the
allegations came from. Further, the importance of "maintaining
stability" and "protecting our interests" in Panama was repeat-
edly emphasized whenever we asked probing questions. (See
attached report of the public portion of the hearings.)
As recently as the mid-year update of the International
Narcotics Control Strategy Report (published in September 1987),
the Department of State touted the Panamanian Government's
efforts on narcotics control.
On February 5, 1988, however, General Noriega was indicted
by a Federal Grand Jury in Miami, Florida. The charges read
like the newspaper reports 2 years ago: money laundering; con-
spiracy with narcotics traffickers; over $4.6 million in pay-
offs; and other illegal activities. According to the reports,
the Department of Justice claimed that the evidence was
"overwhelming".
Now, this raises a lot of questions about the adminis-
tration of our foreign policy, the coordination among Federal
agencies, and the possible distribution of misinformation by the
U.S. government -- some have gone as far as to allege a
cover-up.
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..The Honorable William H. Webster
February 23, 1988
4Page Two
The Select Committee would like to invite you to testify at
a hearing on March 16 to clarify exactly how th,?se indictments
came about; when the allegations became evidence; when and why
it was decided to reverse the strategy of closing an ear to
"rumors" and of cooperating with Noriega for the sake of our
"national interests".
Most importantly, we would like to avoid supporting other
governments whose highest leaders are part of the illegal
international narcotics trafficking network. This is extremely
important right now, in view of the current allegations of
corruption at the highest levels of government in Haiti,
Honduras, The Bahamas, and to a certain extent the situation in
Nicaragua. We would like to address the situations in these
countries in our hearing as well.
We would appreciate a brief, private, off-the-record
meeting with you in advance of the hearing. Given the extremely
sensitive nature of this subject, this should be a mutually
beneficial meeting. Please work with Edward H. Jurith, the
Select Committee Staff Director, to arrange a date and time. He
can be reached at 226-3040.
We would welcome any letters, memoranda, or other documents
you have in support of your testimony for insertion into the
hearing record. In accordance with the Rules of the House of
Representatives, we ask that you deliver 75 copies of your
testimony to the Select Committee by the close of business at
least two full business days before your appearance. We also
request that you not release your statement to the press prior
to the hearing.
We look forward to an extremely important and informative
hearing.
CHARLES
Chairma
Enclosure
GEL
Sincerely,
/ ?
,
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN
Ranking Minority Member
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