DRAFT OF PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT OF A MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00269R000100130087-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 1, 2002
• Sequence Number: 87
• Content Type: STATEMENT

Approved For Release 2002/05/09 : CIA-RDP86B00269R000100130087-1
DRAFT OF PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT OF A MEET
WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS (to be given out to the press.)
The President stated that for some time he had been disturbed
by reports that an attempt might be made to subject the Central Intelligence
Agency to a type of Congressional investigation which would inevitably di
close highly classified security matters to potential enemies of the united
States. The President expressed to the Congressional leaders with whom
he consulted this morning his feeling that if such an investigation were to
take place it would result in serious harm to our national security. He made
it clear to the Congressional leaders that he recognized that Co
the exercise of its legislative functions has a clear right to the information
that is essential to it to carry out this duty. It was made clear that the
Director of Central Intelligence had been in close touch with the Armed
Services and Appropriations Committees of the two Houses of the Congress
and that he had furnished these Committees such information as they had
sought. This relationship should continue and these Committees should
be kept currently advised of CIA activities within the wise provision
included by the Congress in the National Security Act of 1947 "that the
Director of Central Intelligence shall be responsible for protecting
intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure. " It was
the President's firm conviction that the Executive and the Congress should
cooperate in carrying out this legislative mandate.
Approved For Release 2002/05/09 : CIA-RDP86B00269R000100130087-1
 Approved For Release 2002/05/09 : CIA-RDP86B00269R000100130087-1
The President further expressed to the Congressi
it was essential that the Congress should be satisfied as
integrity of the administration of CIA, particularly in connection
of the unvouchered funds intrusted to it as well as in
its exercise of the powers and duties conferred upon it under the National
Security Act of 1947 and directives of the National Sec
;ereunder.
.
He advised the Congressional leaders of correspondence which he had had
with the Director of Central Intelligence and of his decision as indicated
in this correspondence and as requested by theflirector of Central Intelligence
ict up a Board of Consultants, with duties and functions outlined in that
correspondence.
The Congressional leaders present expressed their ur
view that the legislative and investigative functions
igh level Board of Consultants.
manner to protect intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized
disclosure and they welcomed the President's action in setting up the
ould be exercised by the Congress insofar as CIA is concerned, in a
Approved For Release 2002/05/09 : CIA-RDP86B00269R000100130087-1