REQUEST BY CONGRESSMAN RONALD V. DELLUMS FOR INFORMATION ON ANY CIA ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PRECLUDE PUERTO RICAN INDEPENDENCE

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: MHCHAOS
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03241334
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2024
• Document Release Date: December 24, 2024
• Publication Date: August 14, 1978

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f.; CRET
3.3(b) (1)
6.2(d)
4 AUG 1978
MEMORANDUM FOR: Office of Legislative Counsel_
FROM
SUBJECT
REFERENCE
Chief, Latin America Division
Request by Congressman Ronald V. Dellums
for information on any CIA Activities
Designed to Preclude Puerto Rican Independence.
Letter from Congressman Ronald V. Dellums to
28 July 1978
2. The responses below are keyed to the questions raised
by Congressman Dollums:
I) Has the CIA ever gathered or analyzed any
information regarding the Puerto Rican Independence Movement,
the Popular Independence Party, the Puerto Rican Socialist Party
or any leaders or members thereof?
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MU ICA SICE SOURCES
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There have been several instances in the past
of CIA gathering information on the entities
mentioned. In 1960 'forwarded
to Headquarters a list of names of individuals
described as officers and activists in the Pro
independence Movement (MPI). Another list was
forwarded. in 1961 of MPT members who had won
elections. The "elections" however, were not
otherwise identified. Also in 1960 the
forwarded a report apparently
culled from open sources. describing the media
activities of .the Pro-Independence Movement (MPT)
which described the Movement as anti-United States
and pro-Communist. An asset in another area reported
in 1968 that a national mooting of various pro-
independence groups in Puerto Rico had accepted
violence as a main point in the struggle for Puerto
Rico independence. This information was passed to
another agency of the US Government concerned with
domestic subversive activities.
In 1972 attempts were made to discover the Cuban
links to the Puerto Rican Independence Movement
through the MHCHAOS collection program. The MHCHAOS
program has been investigated by the Senate and its
findings are described in the study, "Intelligence -
Activities and the Rights of Americans," Final Report
of the Select Committee to Study Governmental
Operations, 1976: ps Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C.
In 1976 information on the Pro-Independence
Organization of Puerto Rico's alleged request
for assistance from a foreign government was
incidentally acquired
\ This
information was passed to another agency of the U.S.
Government concerned with domestic subversive activ-
ities per the authority of Executive Order 11905.
There have been two instances of Agency analysis
of developments in Puerto Rico.
in July 1954 cxprescd an opinion that
SECRET
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there was a trend towards pro-independence sympathies
in. Puerto Rico under the then
The writer merely commented that he felt that
independence would be welcomed by the -majority. of
Puerto Ricans, that independence would gain friends
for the United States and that it _would also improve
the prestige of Puerto Rico. An Agency memorandum
was published in 1976 which dealt with the Cuban
effort to promote the cause of Puerto Rican independ-
ence.
2) What was the basis for the Agency's action:
In the MHCHAOS program the rationale, as shown
in published documents, was the search for foreign
intervention in United States internal matters.
The 1954 analysis on the trends in Puerto Rico towards
independence sympathies was self-generated and unso-
licited as were the 1960 and 1961 "election" results,
the list of MPI officials and the 1968 report on .
possible violence.
3) Has the CIA ever con(Iucted any operation, propagan&
effort or mail cover against any aspect of the Independence
Movement or parties or individuals which advocate independence?
According to the report issued in 1976 by
the Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental
Operations, mail to and from Puerto Rico showing
anti-US and subversive sympathies was included
in a mail program. It has not been definitely
established if the Independence Movement, parties
or individuals advocating Puerto Rican independence
were targeted specifically. In the MHCHAOS collection
various assets overseas were tasked to furnish any
information on foreign links to the Puerto Rican
Independence Movement. (Please see op.cit. Book III,
-p. 679 ff.) Otherwise, Headquarters guidance]
/was consistent in pointing out that the
Agency was not to conduct intelligence operations
against Puerto Rican persons or organizations.
-4) Does the CIA or has it in the past, carried out
actions or operations from Puerto Rico involving persons residing
in. Puerto Rico?
At the present time there are no intelligence
- collection operations in or out of Puerto Rico
involving persons residin, in Puerto Rico.
T 1"1'
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5) Has the CIA conducted. training of foreign
nationals or participated in the training of foreign nationals
in Puerto Rico?
In November 1960 Cuban exiles were trained
on Vieques Island in preparation for the Bay of
Pigs landing.
Available files
show no such Agency sponsored training taking'
place at the present time.
,
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RONALD V. DELLUMS
8Th. CALIFORNIA
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE
CM/MAN/AN. SUE3C0MMITTEE ON FISCAL.
AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
July 28, 1978
tato
Admiral Stansfield Turner-Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear Admiral Turner:
ANY I2E.PLY TO,THIg LETTER
SVIOULD DF ADDRi,SSEO TO
- , OFFICE CHF..CK ELL
�WASHINGTON OFFICE:
24&4 RAYBURN UltILIANG
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
(z02) 225-266S
DISTRICT �Friel:SI
LI 201 13T14 STREET. ROOM SO5
OAF:LAND, CALIF.:NMI/N. 94604
(us) 783-0370
3557 MT. D�LO BOI/I_VA,./Cr
LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA 114549
[phone]
24OD CHANNIN6 WAY, ROOM 202
VEIN:ELEV. CALIFORNIA 94704-
(415) 542-.77&7
Dorotxt R. tlory.INS
61s1RIG1' &OM INISTR Al OR
During the last week I participated in a series of meetings with persons
advocating the independence of Puerto Rico. There were recurring charges
that the "Intelligence Community" was active in Puerto Rico, particularly
in operations designed to preclude Independence.
I believe that any such activities directed against non-illegal political
advocation would be itself illegal and against_ the best interest, of the
United States.
In order,, to best direct any legislative or legal activities, I would
appreciate your prompt response to the following questions.
Has the CIA ever gathered or' analyzed, any inforMation regarding the Puerto.
Rican independence movement, the Popular Independence Party, the Puerto
Rican Socialist Party, or any leaders or members', thereof? -If so- what was
the basis -for the Agency's action?
Has the CIA ever conducted any operation, propaganda effort or mail cover
against any aspect of the Independence Movement or parties or individuals
which advocate Independence?
Does the CIA, or has, it in the past: carry out actions or operations from
Puerto. Rico involving persons residing in Puerto Rico.
Has the CIA conducted training of foreign Nationals or participated in
training of foreign Nationals in Puerto Rico.
Your assistance is appreciated.
Since_rely,
. ( iiij
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___.t, ..__.,_.,---/ (7-- - Ik.--z /1.4-''''r-'"--------
--' Ronald V. DelluM
Member of Congress
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