PROJECT MERRIMAC

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01434892
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2017
• Case Number: F-2007-00094
• Publication Date: January 23, 1975

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23 January 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: Associate Deputy Director for
Administration
SUBJECT
Project MERRIMAC
1. In connection with Mr. Helms' testimony, it is
to be noted that he indicated he was not aware of the
activities of Project MERRIMAC. I have reviewed the Pro-
ject MERRIMAC file to see if there was any indication he
was briefed on the subject.
2. Attached are two documents which may
on the subject. The first is a note by
which would seem to dndicate at least b neresay,
r. Helms was aware of at least some of the activity
involved in this Project. On the other hand, attached also
is a proposal to extend the Project beyond its scope at
that time, which Mr. Helms specifically disapproved.
Attached also is a memorandum for the record which I pre-
pared about the meeting to indicate his rationale in dis-
approving, which would indicate his concern for anything
which might be considered domestic activity.
Attachments (3)
N6naries w. Kane
Director of Security
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PROJECT MER.R1i/LA.CK,
26 September 1967 .
advised that Mr. Helms through Mr. Osborne wants to learn. any-
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information from our assets in Women Strike for Peace regarding differences --
--
in opinion discussed in private versus what is said in public.
advised that about six mOnths ago -a. WSP representative "slipped." in one-of
her remarks giving; a different version of vzz her feelings than what she had
given in a public release. Any information of this nature should_be reported.
as soon as 'possible crediting the source of the comments with particular.
� - ���� � 2 - -- -
� = stress being given to the Ieadeiship and to Dagmar Wilson., - Any 51-learn-Lotion --._
. ..
I learned conc crernin what are the- real facts and then -cx:s what is said in. publ .ic
o .
"" - - � .- :_-__'-_-- --,7-: - --- 7.-- --7.-^- .-::-.:;- �
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which-'perhaps is a distortion of the real facts will be of -7z....r.-_-F interest...�
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MEMORANDUM FOR: DireCtor of
SUBJECT
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: � Proposed Joint'effort of Far East
� Division and Office of Security in
. acquiring Assets in the "Peace"
� and "Black Power" movements in. -
� the United States
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1. A meeting was held by the Director on this subject on"6-March.
At this meeting the following were in attendance: The Director,. the.
DeplitY Director; the Executive Director-Comptroller, the Deputy
Director for Plans, the Deputy Director for Support, the Acting Chief
of the Far East Division, Special Assistant George Carver, �(b)(3)
rid the Undersigned I I (b)(3)
� . ,The Director stated that he had reviewed this proposal very
-c 'are-4111y a.n.d.basically,_thought it was a good approach . _ He added that _
We were not getting all we should be getting. from the Bureau in this
regard and this would probably produce more information than had been
r
gathered in the past. He stated, however, that the problem is activity -
in the U. S. by this Agency would appear to be beyond our legislative
4 .99
authorization. He added that he .considered making this a joint effort
with the FBI in order to avoid the implication that we were acting beyond
�.our jurisdiction.
3.
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3. He stated, however, that after careful consideration he feels
that it would not be wise' to proceed with this project. According to the
Director, this is the type of thing which would undoubtedly flap-in time
, .
and those who would seek to hurt the Agency would have their opportunity
He added that even if this were a joint operation with the Bureau he was
not sure that this would stifle the criticism. For that reason he did not
feel it would be wise to proceed.
/ SP,IPFT
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4.. At this point, both and Toni Kararnessines
indicated that this effort would be directed towards foreign targets and
as such would be within our jurisdiction. Both the DDS and the Under-
signed indicated that this was our understanding of the matter. The
Executive Director-Comptroller and George Carver pointed out however
that they doubted that this would make any difference since the trial
would: be in the newspapers and not based on f The DDCI said we
might be able to do this working through The Executive
Director-Comptroller, however, indicated that if we were to do this
we would be better off doing it ourselves where we had control, but
he questioned the Wisdom of becoming involved. At the conclusion
the Director said that he had a very bad feeling about this and hoped that
.we would all go along with his decision. He said that in spite of the
validity of such an approach it is not worth risking the damage which
could be done to the Agency is there was a flap.
� 5. aske review our current use of these individuals
to see whether we were putting ourselves in a position of jeopardy
in view. of the new ground rules. He stated that he would do this and
,..7.-wattler"irc...viLui&-tre.tua.u.. Meanwhile hestated.-
that.there was nothing being done which could cause embarrassment
to the Agency..
6. If I had to make my guess, I would think that Col. White probably
recommended against gOing,ahead with the project. The Director referred
to this paper as a paper that Recrbrought in last night. Since the Director
apparently was willing to go along with this sort of thing in the past, I
.believe it was Col. White who raised the hand of caution_in..this case..
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Charles W. Kane
Deputy Director of Security
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OFFICER'S COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
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For signature
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Central Intelligence
THROUGH Deputy Director, Plans
Deputy Director, Support
SUBJECT
: Proposed Joint Effort of Far East
Division and Office of Security in.
Acquiring Assets in the "Peace"
and "Black Power" Movements in
the United States
1 6 FEB ig6,9
1. This memorandum contains a recommendation for your
a.pproval. Such recommendation is contained in. paragraph nine,
2. Backgrolmd: Following several discussions between
officers of the Office of Security (OS) and Vietnam Operations (VNO)
of Far East Division, it became apparent that OS was particularly
well equipped to aid VNO in its efforts to penetrate vario� us groups
in the United States who are either in cornr3.nnication with representa-
tives of the National Liberation Front (NLF) and North Vietnam (DRY)
or groups whose members can or do, visit North Vietnam or NLF
controlled areas of South Vietnam. Not only does OS have the -
necessary support mechanism for operations in the United States,
their expertise in operating domestically as well as existing human
resources is a distinct advantage.
3.� While the objectives in penetrating the more radical.
groups in the United States obviously differs between .VNO .and OS
there does exist in many instances common interest in acquiring
assets in selected groups. Working in concert on selected targets
VNO and OS will obviate duplication and reduce the possibilities of
corrinrornisincl inadvert-antly one or the other's source with the
pus sible attendent unfavorable publicity.
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4. Proposal: To obtain maximum benefit of available
resources and funds,. Office. of Security and Far East Division
believe a joint effort as described below affords. the most secure,
economical and expeditious means by which the Office of Security .-�
and Far East Division may realize their respective objectives...
In order to be fully responsive to FE requirements as well as �
their own,. OS is prepared to reorganize and further .develop
:6,EEILRIMACK Operations, previously approved by Director,
Central Intelligence, into three cornpa.rtmented activities as.
follows: :(b)(1)
3)
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� ori.
tiowar. r
Director of curity
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CONCUR:
1-1 Bannerman
Deputy Director
for Su.nport �
It:Lomas H. Karames sine s
Deputy Director for Plans
Date
The recommendation contained in paragraph nine is approved..-:::
Richard Helms
Director of Central Intelligence
Distribution:
Orig. - Return to OS
DDCI
1 ER
DD/S
1 - DD/P
1 - AC/FE
6 MAR 13
Date
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EYES MY
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