[104-10423-10337.pdf — page 43]
Mr. RANKIN. Would that be true, Mr. Helms, even after the Commission completed its report, you would keep the matter open if there was anything new that developed in the future that could be properly presented to the authorities?Mr. HELMS. Yes. I would assume the case will never be closed.Mr. RANKIN. Mr. McCone, do you have any ideas about improving the security provisions for the President that you would like to relate to the Commission?Mr. MCCONE. Well, this is, in my opinion, a very important question which I am sure this Commission will–has and will–devote a considerable amount of thought to, and undoubtedly have some recommendations as part of its report.Mr. RANKIN. Your Agency does have an important function in some aspects.Mr. MCCONE. We have a very important function in connection with the foreign travels of the President, and I would like to inform the Commission as to how we discharge that responsibility by quickly reviewing the chronology of the Central Intelligence Agency's support of President Kennedy's visit to Mexico City from the 29th of June to the 2d of July 1962.Mr. RANKIN. Will you please do that.The CHAIRMAN. Director, is that a security matter?Mr. MCCONE. No. I think I can handle this for the record.The CHAIRMAN. Very well.Mr. MCCONE. If I have to make a remark or two off the record I will ask that privilege.That visit, as I said, started on the 29th of June. On the 28th of April, in anticipation of the visit, instructions were transmitted to Mexico for the Ambassador to coordinate planning and informational guidance for the advance party of the Secret Service..We asked that the Secret Service be given information on local groups and persons who would cause disturbances, embarrassments or physical harm, an estimate of the determination and ability of the Mexican government to prevent incidents, and preparation for special briefings to the Embassy officials and the Secret Service, and such additional support and communications personnel that might be required.These instructions were given two months before the trip.On the 15th of May, we received confirmed information that the President would visit Mexico on the specific dates. On the 1st of June the Secret Service was supplied by the Agency with the detailed survey of Mexican security forces that would be called upon to protect the President.Friendly and allied governments were informed of the visit and their coopera- tion and pertinent informational support was solicited. From this date through the 2d of July daily information reports were furnished to the State Department, the Secret Service, the FBI and the military services..That is from the 1st of June to the 2d of July, a period of 31, 32 days. On the 8th of June the Secret Service advance party was briefed in detail by a group of officers of the Agency on the Mexican government's plans for the protection of the President, including current information on the size, strength and capabilities of potential troub'emakers.Hazardous locations and times in the planned itinerary were identified, political and economic issues that might be invoked by hostile elements for demonstrations were specified.On the 11th of June, the Secret Service advance party left for Mexico sup- ported by additional security personnel to assist in coordinating an informational report and the followup activity required.Especially prepared national intelligence estimates on the current security conditions in Mexico was approved by the United States Intelligence Board on the 13th of June.On the 15th of June arrangements were completed to reenforce communica- tions facilities. On the 24th of June a conference at the State Department was held at the request of the President for reviewing security measures, and this meeting I attended personally, and reported to the State Department on the essence of all that had gone before.Emergency contingency plans were discussed and a consensus was reached that the President should make the visit as scheduled.