REPORT ON SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, 18 FEBRUARY 1976

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 23
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 2, 2001
• Sequence Number: 36
• Publication Date: February 25, 1976
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 Approved For Release 2001/03/06 CIA-RDP86B009985R0000400040036-6
2S February 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: The DDI
The A/DCI
SUBJECT: Report on Speaking Engagement at University
of Cincinnati, 18 February 1976
1. At your joint request I made arrangements in January
to speak at the University of Cincinnati Winter Quarter Red,
White and Blue speakers series. Organizer for the event was,
Chad Solomon, a student (senior, Political Science) who is
President of the Student Program Board. We agreed on the date,
that there would be no off campus advertising and that the
press would not be invited to attend. We both understood
that it would be impossible to prevent news reporting of the
event if someone chose to do so.
2. When I arrived in Cincinnati I found that my appear-
ance had been announced by a series of posters around campus.
The campus newspaper had failed to run an announcement
because of their decision not to publish on the Washington's
Birthday holiday. In an effort to insure sufficient attendance
at the meeting, Chad Solomon had told the city newspapers on
17 February (Enquirerand Post) that I was coming on 18
February. He hoped that students would see the article there,
if not in the campus press. I do not believe the city papers
ran the story, though Chad is trying to find out. The local
media certainly.knew I was coming, however.
3. I was to speak to a group of 100-150 students in
a lounge of the Student Union at U.C. at 1230. During lunch,
Chad went to check the room to be certain that a microphone
had been set up for me, and chairs for the audience. When
he returned, he said that a television cameraman was there,
reporters from at least one TV station, some radio stations,
two newspapers, and the campus FM station that broadcasts
throughout Cincinnati. (There were about eight microphones
on the table.) I told Chad that I didn't want to turn the
event into a press conference. He left the handling of the
press to me. I called the A/DCI long distance to go on record
with the problem, and proceeded to the meeting.
4. When I was introduced, I said that some weeks earlier
I had been invited to talk on 18 February, that my speech would
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 Approved For Rele 20W03/06 : CIA-RDP86B009WR00 00040036-6
-2-
inadvertantly follow the President's by only a few hours, and
that I did not believe it appropriate for me to appear to
be interpreting either the President or Mr. Bush for the
media. I had come to speak to students about intelligence
in the foreign policy process. I did not wish to be recorded,
but told the press they could stay if they wished. Only
representatives from two newspapers, and one photographer,
stayed.
5. I talked from a text and notes that I had prepared
for the DDI to use at the Minority Employment Conference in
October. It was a presentation that outlined how the
community and the Agency are organized to do their work,
and described the variety of services performed in a general
way. I made regular reference to a copy of the 1947 Act.
Based upon what the President had said the night before, I
suggested general ways that the organization of the
Intelligence Community might change.
6. I spoke from about 1245 until 1445, including a long
period of questions from the crowd of about 100 people. I
would class most of the questions as "fair with an edge."
The representative of the Young Socialist Alliance (YSA) spoke
on about three occasions during the question and answer session,
but seemed unable to get the crowd interested in her approach
("the government, in all of its manifestations, does not serve
the people's interest"). ?YSA had also passed out handbills in
my honor (copy attached).
7. Among questioners, there was much interest in
covert action, how it was approved/initiated, whether it was
proper. There was concern that CIA had not adequately informed
the Congress over the years, and that Congress had failed in
its oversight function. Some wondered if Director Bush was
too political to be DCI. There were questions and charges
about assassination, including the Kennedy and King cases..
One fellow was critical of our "inability" to predict events
when there was ample information (he had nearly been killed
in the Tet offensive). A number of people asked how to get
a job.
8. I went from this talk to a small (15) freshman
honors class in Political Science. I spoke and answered
questions for about an hour. They were interested in the
Executive-Congressional aspects of foreign affairs and
foreign intelligence. One student in the class was,.a cub
reporter for the campus newspaper. He taped the session with
my permission, though his machine malfunctioned throughout
the hour.
Approved ,For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 Approved For: ReleaW 20BW03/06 : CIA-RDP86BO099WOOW0040036-6
-3-
He guaranteed that he would not write for the professional
press, and the professor, Barbara Bardes, was sure to hold
him to his pledge. She asked several questions to guide the
group, and displayed a sophisticated understanding of the D.C.
environment.
9. After dinner, I spoke for about two hours to a small
(12-15) group of students from the Student Political Science
Association. I was competing with a cross-town basketball
rivalry, so attendance was low. This was a sound group of
students. They asked the best questions of the day, zeroing
in on some of the philosophical aspects of the conduct of
foreign policy. They had neither more nor less concern about
the proper role of intelligence than a group of 12-15 CIA
professionals might have had. However they felt about intelligence
as individuals, they each seemed to have a very realistic view
of the world.
10. The series of talks was successful. The Agency
received fairly broad exposure on campus and in a relaxed.
way that did not indicate fear.or unwillingness to deal
with either truth or allegations. Such appearances should be
repeated whenever the opportunity arises.
STATSPEC 11. I took along a number of unclassified reference aids
(from CRS, OER, OPR, OGCR), and told the students that
such al s are available for sale to the public. They were
impressed. I left the pack, along with copies of the Bush
and Colby confirmation hearings, with the Political Science
Department. They will be loaned to any interested students
(the library seemed to be low in the confidence of the
students as a repository for anything to which they wished
access).
12. If I have one strong impression from the trip, it
is that most of the students -- the brightest, the leaders,
the followers, the academic strugglers -- are basically
suspicious of the government. Not so profound an observation,
perhaps; yet, my own college generation was suspicious and
cynical in a different way. Most of us "joined" the government
or the corporations believing that our skepticism would be
relieved by real experience. These students seem much more
likely to enter the government or corporations because of
their skepticism. They want to change things. They on't
believe that real experience will disprove what they now
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 ? Approved For-Releaat 209103/06: CIA-RDP86BO09 t00 0040036-6
_4_
"know." They are more polite than the kids of the sixties,
and more whole. They seem determined that whatever "the
system" is, it should stress pubfr responsibility.
STATINTL
Coordinator for Academic Relations
Attachments:
"CIA Threat" flier
Base correspondence and notes
One line from Cincinnati 11 p.m. news (channel 12, ABC)
Approved .For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 d
The speaker at this Wednesday' Reds White, and Blue
series forum, will try to convince us that the crimes of the CIA
are necessary for "upholding the rights of the free world" or
are in the interest of "national security,"
Ass.asi.nation attempts, military and economic support
tb right wing and fascist. governments, surveillance and vi.citi-
mizat ,on of anti-war leaders, campus groups foreign students,
Black organizations, women's liberation activists, and socialists
have all been admitted to by the CIA.
-ASSASINATION ATTEMPTS
The CIA has admitted to attempting or having plotted
the deaths of Salvadore Allende of Chile, Patrice Lumumba of the
Congo? Trujillo of the Dominican Republic, Fidel Castro,. Martin
Luther King, Malcolm X, and others.
-SUPPORT TO DICTATORSHIPS
Economic and military support have found their way to
the Franco regime in Spain, Salazaar and Caetano in Portugal, the
Shah of Trans Marcos in the Phillipines, Rhea in South Korea,'and
Pinochet*s junta in Chile.
-OPERATION CHAOS
Surveillance and "disruption" tactics similar to the
FBI's Cointeipro operations, used against a very wide variety of
political activists, campus groups, foreign students, Black
rganizations, and others.
-COVERT OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Recently, the CIA has been actively recruiting mercen rk
to fight in Angola, and has been supplying armaments and napalm, at
the expense of, not in the interests of, the Angolans, and the
American peoples right to decide on our foreign policy..
The Young Socialist Alliance believes that the CIA
should be abolished, and not replaced or "guided" by the congr
or its "oversight" committee, or the president. It has been
fully documented that the past six presidents, at feast, and
congresses under them have been aware of, and gave approval if not
the original orders, to carry out the illegal activities of this
agency. Much of the documentation released, has been a result of
the Political Rights Defense Fund suit, whose plaintiffs are the
Young Socialist Alliance, Socialist Workers Party. and others. e
defensee, of everyone's democratic rights is at stake in this case.
The axis of this case is the questions Does the First Amendment
protect the free speech of everyone Including those who actively
oppose administration policy? If you are interested in finding-out
more about this suit, fill out and mail the coupon at bottom, too
S.A. Box 9340 TanSemann. Center
MM' h94/M7OtheCl$ 1Z OO985R000400040036-6
C3 TkMA1 ee'Or
ixd
Forele
see ' DP86 1 006r00040036-6
information
ant more on the Socialist Workers Party Campaign.
I want to join the YSA.
 _ $~_ 400040036-6
FIDF_NT7lL ` SYCRET
i
OFFICIAL ROLi I. G SLIP
 Approve:
AD
LarrJ~ s '~~(#06/p` T#.CIA-RDP86
TO,; Jan 19 7&
A/DCI
ROOM N BUILDING
1F04 gq
REMARKS:
.angus-a- ,
Per .our telecon, I will
for, the Agency. You wl attend
the letter in the flrst11 answer
I prefer 18 'Feb.. instance.
be all right. but 11 Feb would
be xal}.,be down *o
q soon.
STATINTL
FORM NO:
?r. i FEB 35 241 REPLACES FORM SED
5R000400040036-6
85R000400040036-6
 Ap ved For Reese 2Q61/03/06: CIA-RDP86B09 65RE e40004003&-6
OFFICE OF STUDENT GROUPS
AND UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
January 3, 1976
Mr. Angus Thuermer
Assistant to the Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C.
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
The University of Cincinnati Student Speakers
Bureau is planning its Red, White and Blue speakers
series for Winter Quarter, 1976. The series, entitled
"Poilitics, Policy and Power," is scheduled for Wednesdays
at 2:30 PM throughout the months of January, February
and March. We would be especially pleased to have a
representative of the Central Intelligence Agency included
in our series.
The C.I.A. is an important and necessary Agency of
our governement. At the present time, though, the Agency
has come under sharp criticism and even Congressional
attack for its operations. Allegations concerning covert
activity both at home and abroad abound, with charges
ranging from the equipping and controlling of private
armies and involvement in political assassination to
the charge that the Agency is a freewhelling and uncon-
trolled force with secret directives and motives. I
feel that it is now important for the Agency to re-educate
the American people to the purpose and function of the
~~--' I would like to invite a representative of the C.I.A
to campus, to discuss the role of the Agency in the frame-
work of American government. This would possibly include
an examination of the operations of the C.I.A. in foreign
countries, a discussion of the Agency as an intelligence
gatherer, and insight to the formation and implementation
of Agency policy. A considerarion of the Agency as a
tool in domestic and foreign policy and its role in our
national security might also be discussed. An examination
of the charges made against the C.I.A., and a rebuttal to
them, would be in order, and is invited.
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 'tF Rj~*qigeAQ01/03/06: CIA-RDP86BON85RQ00400040036-6
The format is as formal or informal as would be
desired. We will be using a medium sized lounge for
the presentation, and the expected audience size would
range from 75 to 150 persons. The speaker might prepare
a talk from 45 minutes to an hour in length, and would
have approximately 30 minutes to answer general questions
from the floor.
Concerning the date of the C.I.A. presentation, I
realize that the availability of representatives with
the background and ability for such a presentation, and
the desire to speak to a university audience, is not
constant. The dates of February 11 and 18 are particularly
convenient, if arrangements could be made for either.
Other open dates remain if a highly qualified representative
who you feel would best fit the bill is unavailable on those
dates. With sufficient notice, I would be happy to fit the
date to your convenience.
Any special arrangements or suggestions for topic
matter would be discussed gladly. I would be more than
glad to answer any other questions or provide more infor-
mation to you. I hope to hear from you soon so that I can
work out any scheduling problems that might arise. Your
cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
Yours truly,
Chad Solomon
President
Student Program Board
CRS/bf
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 ApfruRela Q~ CIA-RDP86B00 5
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 ilk
"Ie) ("I")- a
400QI$0036-6
11
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
r Relea "0 I DP86q R
NPI
 ApprovlrCr FIease 2001/03/06 : C*A-RD 86B00985R000400040036-6
e;vt J U.
trh.
dot~ e"kt :, e n
It 4
t. 144 ?Vtt
41r i
A-
tu,
/UY
_.t
lI i"`t
//
i b
se 2091 /03/06
of
DP86B00985R000400040036-6
? .j m1t .
 Approved Forelea
4
'c)
06'FOC KDPO 000400040036-6
A VY'k A K,
Approved For R gas 2~Q1/ 6? i P 8,68009840,`040036-6
 Approved For Rele a 20? 03/06: CIA-RDP86BO09$ OUQ0004003
1S January 1976
Mr. Chad Solomon
President, Student Program Board
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
Dear Mr. Solomon,
Thank you for your letter of January 3.
I am glad to tell you that one of our senior
officers will be glad to appear. He suggests that he
would prefer February 18 if that works out with you.
If this is in order, please give me a call (703-
351-7676) or a note and I will have him get directly in
touch with you.
Sincerely,
ist
Angus MacLean Thuermer
Assistant to the Director
STATINTL
Approved ,For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 Approved For Release 20W03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00A AA"0040036-6
STATINTL
Media Coverage of
at U. of Cincinnati, 18 Feb 76
1. On 18 February, the channel 12 11 p.m. news lead its
story on the Ford reorganization of intelligence with this line
(approximately):
"President Ford announced further details of his plan STATINTL
to reorganize U.S. foreign intelligence functions. Today,
at the University of Cincinnati a
said that the Ford recommendations meant that someone would
be'accountable for covert action."
2. The 19 February Washington Star ran a picture
with caption in its early edition.
3. Other clippings from the Cincinnati press may come
in from the program organizer, Chad Soloman.
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6,
 STATINTL
fib?. Rush,
0e
1/03/06 ; CIA-RDP86B0'
W0040036-
I w-)uld like to extend my graditude on behalf of
all those people from the University of Cincinnati's Pol-
itical Science Student Association who were able to talk
with one of your members, . I have personally
been interested in the agency for some time and although
I am now presentiy_.attending the University of Cincinnati,,
I was accepted to George Washington University. For fin-
ancial reasons I was not able to attend, but I am famil-
iar with the Washington area. Since I am not in the Wash
ineton area I would appreciate any information you would
be able to send me concerning apply'dation:.-for. )dLmployaerit
and, if possible, could you inform me of the places in the
Cincinnati area that do conduct interviews.
Thank You.
STATINTL
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
STATI N"
 STATINTL
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
STATINTL
TRANSMITTAL SLIP
3E63
DATE
2 March 1976
Le
OYM.
FORM FEB55 241
BUILDI HQS .
0/DDI
EXTENSION
6345
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 Approved For ReleasLN001 4D6 : CIA-RDP86BOO985MO
Mr. George Bush
Director of Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence Acxency"..,
Washington,. D. C. 20505
W", 7.976
Whenever a person does a good job, it is my opinion that he
should be commended for it. Recent! ,.an official of the Central
Intl=lligence Agency,. , appeared at my school, the
University of Cincinnati, on a speaking engagement,. Concerning
that appearance, I can say only one word: excellent!
STATINTL
Mr. gave a very informative look into the structure
STATINTL~0f the CIA and also answered every question put to him that he
new something about. Many people were disappointed to hear that
much of the Agencies effort goes into reading foriegn newspapers
of plotting the overthrow of foriegn governments.J,Mr.
STATINTL iiwsaid. the things that needed to be said, and went a long
way in setting.the record straight.
STATINTL
Other than the Socialists and Communists on campus who
corolain about everything, I heard no speak ill of or
the information he conveyed. I think a lot of people probably
went away from their.conversations feeling a little bit silly
for having believed in some of the propaganda that has been cir-
culating about the CIA for the past year or so. My only complaint
is that more schools and people in general can not have the
benefit of listening to and talking to somebody like
I wish to.-thank you and the Agency for making STATINTL
avaliable to speak in the manner that he did. You s oul be
aware that you have a very fine employe in STATINTL,
I ?rould also like to wish you all the luck and godspeed in STATINTL
thel..orid in the task that confronts you. I am one American that
fir,^ly believes in the need and neccessity for the CIA. I just
hope this country will never have serious cause to regret the
horrible emasculation process that has been performed on the CIA
by Congress and the press,
Sincerely yours,
.Randall Fort
University of Cincinnati.
Political Science Major
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R00'0400040036}6
 Approved .
STATINTL
STATINTL
Approved
6'~:T~IDPB009
TO:
ROOM NO. BUILDING
3E63 H s
REMARKS:
FROM :
OOM O.
l eleas "/R 106 : CIA-
EYP009
5R000400040036-6
REPLACES FORM 36-8 (47)
WHICH MAY BE USED.
 Approved For ReleaseV601/006 : CIA-RDP86B00985R@004OQD40036-6
Mr. Randall Fort
7525 Baywind Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
3 March 1976
Dear Mr. Fort,
Thank you ever so much for the nice letter Of
23 February addressed
to Director
Bush. STATINTL
It is good to hear your report on
-talk in Cincinnati. fie is highly regards here, as you
can easily imagine, and we are glad to hear good things
about hih from out in Ohio.
Sincerely,
cc: DDI/
DCI
Angus MacLean Thueramer
Assistant to the Director
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6
 _ ilNCLASS11 }ED CC"' " 1DENT_ L:f SECRcT
,pproved For Release 001/M' /06 : CIA P ~B0098 90046 040036-6
EXE CUTIVE SECRETARIAT
Routing Slip
ACTION
INFO
DATE
3
S/MC
4
DDS&T
DDI
D/DCI/IC
D/DCI/NI
-) _
LC
IG
Comet
D/ Pers
D/S
17
18
Asst/ DC1
AO/DCI
T.
19
L2?j
Data
/ Executive Secretary
f Date
Approved For Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP86B00985R000400040036-6