MEETING WITH MIKE EPSTEIN, SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE STAFF - 10 DECEMBER 1976

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79M00983A001800020013-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 28, 2006
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: December 10, 1976
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For R Ike . se 2006/09/28: CIA-RDP79M00983018000
OLC 76-3635
10 December 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Meeting with Mike Epstein, Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence staff - 10 December 1976
1. Mike Epstein, staff aide on the Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence to Senator William. Hathaway (D., Maine), visited Headquarters
to discuss an agenda for the Senator's visit to Headquarters on 16 December.
Most of the questions developed during his recent tour of Agency stations
as Mr. Epstein met withi STAT
Ito outline at length two problem areas. STAT
In summary, the first question Epstein raised was what written directives
are given to station chiefs in the area of covert activity which define or
limit what they can or cannot do. He expressed the view that without
such specific directions, station chiefs could, without consulting Head-
quarters, possibly stumble into a situation which could have international
repercussions. He suggested that Senator Hathaway be presented with the
exact directives or else be advised on the nature of Headquarter-s contact
and station discipline which exists to prevent such situations.
STAT
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3. Following the briefing by
Epstein outlined several other items to be added to the agenda for
Senator Hathaway's visit on 16 December:
a. During the Senator' s recent visit overseas, a
number of our people expressed to him the need for a deeper
cover arrangement. The Senator wondered since this problem
has apparently existed for some time, why some solution has not
been arrived at. Epstein said he understands that there are
difficulties involved and he would appreciate receiving some
information on the methodology followed in arranging for deep
cover. He related further that the Senator is very sensitive
to the needs expressed by our overseas people and that he would
be willing to make any effort to resolve the situation that might be
available to Congress. The bottom line of the briefing, therefore,
should be to relate whether there is anything Congress could do to
assist in arranging for deep cover situations and if there is nothing
that they could do, that he be so informed.
b. The Senator is also interested in receiving a briefing
which will outline the relationship between support and operations
costs. His question is why is so much of intelligence money
spent on support. In this connection, it would possibly put the
facts into a better perspective if some information could be
given on past, present, and future relationships between support
and operations costs.
c. A final item of interest to the Senator is that as a result
of his visit overseas, he now has a better feeling for what our
stations are doing, but he is interested in learning how Headquarters
fits into the picture and our relationship with the overall intelligence
picture. What we need to do here is provide a concise summary of
the relationship between Headquarters and the overseas stations
and Headquarters and the rest of the Intelligence Community.
Office of Legislative Counsel
Distribution:
Orig - OLC/Subj
1 -- A/DDO
1. - SA/DO/O
1 - OLC/Chrono
OLC/RJK/ksn (13 Dec 76)
Approved For Release 2006/09/28: CIA-RDP79M00983A001800020013-4