WILLIAM CASEY'S LEGACY AND MYSTERY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00901R000500050011-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 2, 2004
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: May 6, 1987
• Content Type: TRANS

t. - I STATINTIJ.
K I5, INC.
RADIO TV Rr_r_\./E:
4701 WILLARD AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND 20815 [phone]
PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF
PROGRAM CBS Evening News
DATE May 6, 1987
SUBJECT William Casey's Legacy and Mystery
STATINTL
WUSA-TV
CBS Network
Washington, D.C.
DAN RATHER: The President today praised his old friend,
political fundraiser, and former CIA Director, William Casey.
Casey died today at age 74. He was one of the potential
witnesses congressional and other investigators wanted to talk to
most. They couldn't. Casey had brain surgery here in Washington
in December. He was then in a New York Hospital with pneumonia.
Correspondent; Eric Engberg reports on the Casey legacy
and mystery.
ERIC ENGBERG: William Casey, a crusty self-made
millionaire, charted a new aggressive course for the CIA in the
shadowy world of covert operations. His role in helping the
Nicaraguan Contras in a war supposedly off limits to the CIA
dominated the opening day of the congressional investigation.
RICHARD SECORD: Casey asked me, "How much money is
And I said, "Well, that depends on what period of time
you're talking about."
ENGBERG: Casey, who had won medals for his World War II
spy exploits, made his millions in law and finance, then managed
the Reagan presidential campaign in 1980. As a close friend of
the President, he had the clout to become the most powerful
intelligence chief since the Eisenhower years.
WILLIAM COLBY: He was a very hands-on, risk-taking guy,
and that he believed in turning the agency into a very activist
organization.
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 Approved For Release 2004/11/29 : CIA-RDP91-00901 R000500050011-9
ENGBERG: He seemed always at the center of a storm in
Congress, refusing to put his fortune into a blind trust, mining
harbors in Nicaragua, and using a clever tactic to dodge
questions from those he thought too nosy.
SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY: You could always tell when he
was in the mood that he didn't want to cooperate. He would stop
mumbling. Later on, you might be in the committee and say, you
know, "What about these disturbing reports that we've heard about
such-and-so?" And we'd hear, "Mum-mum-mum-mum-mum-mum-mum." And
that would be about it.
ENGBERG: Congressional investigators of the Iran-Contra
affair have known since Casey was overcome by illness that his
role was unique.
SENATOR ORRIN HATCH: Bill Casey probably is the only
person who could have answered some certain questions that are
very critical questions.
REP. DICK CHENEY: The fact of the matter is, the
President made the decision, and Bill tried to carry out his
wishes. And that's what any good CIA Director would have to do.
ENGBERG: Richard Securd, opening the congressional
hearings, said he met three times with Casey to discuss the
secret Contra supply network.
RICHARD SECORD: He told me that they were very
appreciative of what I was doing, and he said I had his
admiration.
ENGBERG: Now there will be no Casey version of events.
SENATOR DANIEL INOUYE: Obviously, Mr. Casey has taken
certain information to the grave with him.
ENGBERG: And for as long as the congressional hearings
go on, they will have to contend with the specter of one witness
chair that is empty.
Approved For Release 2004/11/29 : CIA-RDP91-00901 R000500050011-9