THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000700430015-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 6, 2006
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: January 14, 1966
• Content Type: OPEN

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Approved For Release 2
14 January 1966
THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
AGENCY
Mr. SYMINGTON. Mr. President,
during my recent trip abroad, I was af-
forded the opportunity of looking over
the programs and activities of the Cen-
tral Intelligence Agency in many coun-
tries. Prior to departure, I received ex-
tensive briefings from the Agency and,
during my trip talked in detail with all,
Agency representatives in the country'
in question, as has been my custom in
past years when visiting abroad.
All felt the latter's programs were
'fully, coordinated with U.S. policy of the
Agency with every Ambassador. In
every case, no exception, the Ambassa-
dor expressed his complete approval of
the functioning of the Agency.
I found no instances of any kind
where i , activities were uncontrolled,
or contrary to U.S. policy. Indeed it
would appear difficult, if not impossible,
for such uncontrolled activities to oc-
eur. This belief is based on existing co-
ordination procedures and policy direc-
'tives stemming from the Washington
level, plus the controls applicable to
field activities.
I .have always been impressed, in my
contacts with the Agency, with the in-
tegrity and professional competence of
its representatives. Only twice, in over
10 years, have I found anything to the
contrary. Based on the present rules, I
.doubt if those cases of disagreement
could now be duplicated.
It is a pleasure, therefore, to present f
Jo the Senate the fact that I agree with.!
Secretary Rusk who, in talking about
CIA people, stated:
There is a good deal of gallantry and a
high degree of competence in those who have
to help us deal with that part of the struggle
for freedom.
The Central Intelligence Agency has I
a difficult, and at times a very dangerous
mission to perform. Not all men, or
women, of this or any other agency, are
perfect, and it is easy to criticize any
group which cannot defend itself because
of the nature of its work. Nevertheless
it is my considered judgment ,that the
American public should be proud of this
organization and its people, a group who
serve our country with unstinting devo-
tion.
In addition. to this brief report, which
of necessity must be general, I am also
reporting my findings and conclusions in
more detail to Chairman RUSSELL and
the Subcommittee for the CIA of the Sen-
ate-Armed Services Committee.
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Approved For Release 2006/11/08: CIA-RDP75-00149R000700430015-5