104-10336-10026 - fe Ci LR-AF Assassination Records Review Board. 600 E Street NW - 2nd Floor « Washington, DC 20530 (202) 724-0088 + Fax: (202). 724-0457 . CIA HAS NO December 18, 1997 DECLA SSIEI CATION ANDOR Mr. John Pereira iN THIS DO cia ANFORMATION Chief Historical Review Group Center for the Study of Intelligence Central Intelligence Agency Washington, D.C. 02505 Re: Status of CIA Responses to Assassination Records Review Board's Requests for Additional Information and Records Dear John: I am writing to follow-up on our telephone call earlier today and to convey my serious | concern about the status of CIA’s responses to the Review Board’s requests for additional information and records. Although CIA has completed its responses to several requests, and many others have been answered in part, a significant number of --.--=++ -- ---~ requests have not been answered — including some that were made more than two years ago. On many occasions we have been assured that responses would be ~ forthcoming, only tp have promised dates come and go without answers. It is now extremely important that these requests be answered promptly so that we may conduct _a proper follow-up if necessary. The issues that we can now identify as being of the highest priority are identified in the text below by double asterisks (**)' and we request that they be answered within the next month. We request that the remaining requests be answered by April-1, 1998. . The remainder of this letter is divided into two parts: first, a listing of the formal requests for information and records, and second, a listing of the informal requests for information and records. Please let me know if your understanding of any of the following points differs from ours so that we can resolve any potential discrepancies. ‘As identified more fully below, the issues are: CLA-1 Organizational Material, CIA-6 Cables and Dispatches, CIA-13 Backchannel Communications, CIA-IR-03 _ HTLINGUAL Documents, CIA-IR-04 Disposition of Angleton Files, CIA-IR-07 Claude Barnes Capehart, CIA-IR-15 Electronic “take” from Mexico City, CIA-IR-21 DRE Monthly Operational Reports, CIA-IR-22 “A” Files on Clay Shaw and Jim Garrison. Boaao Memeers: John R. Tunheim, Chair « Henry F. Graff « Kermit L. Half « William Ll. Joyce « Aana K. Nelson
13-00000 Mr. John Pereira December 18, 1997 Pagel3 . request. Once the formal statement documenting this search and its results is provided, this request \ will be complete. . . CIA-IR-27 Security: Files for Five Individuals. The ARRB staff has reviewed Office of Security files for Richard Case Nagel, Gordon Novel, Jack Ruby, Harold Weisburg, and Walter Sheridan. The entire files for Gordon Novel, Jack Ruby, and Richard Case Nagel have been designated assassination records. Portions of the files for Harold Weisberg and Walter Sheridan will be designated assassination records. The Novel, Ruby, and Nagel files should be sent to HRG for processing. The Weisberg and Sheridan files should be sent to HRG for ARRB review. — CIA-IR-28 McCone Files.. In August 1997, the ARRB staff reviewed an index for the files of former DCI ‘John McCone and identified some files to be reviewed for assassination records. A meeting should be set UP. to examine these files. | CIA-IR-29 Oswald Lewinter. In November 1997, CIA provided.a preliminary oral response to whether it has files on Mr. Oswald Lewinter. CIA should document its findings in writing. Once formal documentation of the completed searches has been provided, the request is complete. CIA-IR-30 Cherepanov Papers. In the fall of 1963, Paul Garbler, Chief of Station Moscow, copied a series of KGB papers from the American Department of the KGB’s Second Directorate which had arrived at the embassy from Aleksandr Cherepanov. The Review Board requests to review these papers. CIA-IR-31 Dulles Calendar. In testimony before the Church Committee on May 4, 1977, Richard Bissell made reference to the existence of a calendar for former DCI Allen Dulles which would reflect all of Dulles’ meetings. The Review Board requests the Dulles calendar for January 1959 through his resignation as DCI on November 29, 1961.
FOR OFFICIAL USE‘ONLY _ If. 26 September 1997 MEMORANDUM FOR: _J. Barry Harrelson “DCL/CSI/HRG VIA: - Becky Rant DDA/IRO FROM: l i Chief, Information Management Branch Office of Personnel Security SUBJECT: Records Search Request for the Assassination Records Review Board REFERENCE: Lotus Note dated 26 September 1997 1. In response to the referenced request, the Office of Personnel Security's Management Data Program/Personnel Security (MDP/PS) database was searched. 2. The searches undertaken were reasonably calculated to retrieve all responsive documents. Based~upon the information provided, the following security records were located. These security records are available for review by your office after prior written notification. NAGELL, Richard C. AIN 0 264 170 NOVEL, Gordon D. AIN 0 526 113 RUBY, Jack L. AIN 0 261 219 SHERIDAN, Walter J. AIN 0 101 572 WEISBERG, Harold AIN 0 018 281 3. This memorandum is provided for your information and appropriate disposition. Plea ir nv_f xX inquiries regarding this matter to at FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
13-00000 ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY 2 February 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR: Fredrick C. Wickham @ DO Lee S. Strickland @ DA (Mary Lou Cummings? John F. Pereira FROM: J. Barry Harrelson JFK Project Officer OFFICE: OIM/HRP SUBJECT: ARRB Requests - Priorities REFERENCE: ARRB letter dtd 18 Dec 1997, Status of ARRB Request for Additional information i have been acvised by the ARRB staff that an updated “Status of Requests" letter will be sent to the Agency early next week The following requests will be listed as priorities to be completed in February: - CIA-14 | Mexico City Station Annual Reports (DO) CIA-IR-O6 QKENCHANT (DO) CIA-IR-08 “Family Jewels" (DCIARO and DO ) CIA-IR-09 George Bush . (DO, DA, DCVIRO) CIA-IR-11 Warren Commission Critics (DA, DO) CIA-IR-27 Security Files for Five Individuals . (DA) CIA-IR-32 AMWORLD (DO). i have partial responses to some of these requesis; cail me if you have questions or need the status of your response. cc: (Eileen M. Wukitch) @ DO Becky L. Rant @ DA Kathryn |. Dyer @ DA (bec: Bonnie K. Hunter-Y-) Sent on 2 February 1998 at 01:26:47 PM ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY
13-00000 Fe eee ae En eee meeteteeten oe ten Me tar aaa Shien 9 DMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY am the Desk of Frieda P. Omasta NOTEFOR:  — (W. Curtis Chaloner/@ DA FROM: Frieda P. Omasta OFFICE: ADANRO DATE: 02/06/98 05:26:24 AM SUBJECT: PRIORITY - CIA-IR-27 - ARRB Request for Security Files on 5 Individuals (DA/IRO No. 14) Curt: In response to CIA-IR-27, an 26 September 1997 OPS advised Barry Harrelson (JFK Project Officer] that security records are available for review by his office on the follewing individuals: NAGELL, Richard C. NOVEL, Gorden 0. RUBY, Jack L. SHERIDAN, Walter J. WEISBERG, Hareld Barry has just advised that the files on Nagell, Novel and Ruby have heen identified as Assassination Records. Accordingly, they have requested that OPS transfer these files te DCICSIHAG (J. Barry Harrelson) for inclusion in these records. Barry has further advised that a copy of the documents from each file would be acceptable if OPS prefers. This is with respect to the files on Walter J. SHERIDAN and Harald WEISBERG. Barry has asked that arrangements be made for these files to be reviewed by the ARRB to determine which documents in each of these files are Assassination Records. In light of a short deadline, it is requested that the arrangements be made early in February. Once documents have been selected, Barry will need copies of these documents as weil. Please keep Becky and me posted with respect te these requests. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Frieda ce: Becky L. Rant @ DA J. Barry Harrelson @ OCI (Katie Nakai ) Sent on G February 1998 at 05:26:24 AM ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNAL USE ONLY
13-00000_. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY - 06 February 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR: J. Barry Harrelson DCI/HRG FROM: | (Linda J. Stevens) Chief, Clearance Division | Office of Personnel Security SUBJECT: Records Search Request Warren Commission Critics REFERENCE: CIA-IR-11 1. In response to the referenced request, the Office of Personnel Security's Management Data Program/Personnel Security (MDP/PS) database was searched. 2. The searches undertaken were reasonably calculated to retrieve all responsive documents. Based upon the information provided, the Office of Personnel Security has located one (1) possible individual who may or may not meet your requirements outlined in your referenced request. Epstein, Edward J. AIN © 488 768/ 3. There was an impersonal folder regarding a Sylvia Meagher and a 1968 Ramparts magazine article. This information was destroyed under the Records Control Schedule on 01 January 1994. Based upon the limited biographic information, security records were not located for the remaining individuals. 4. This memorandum is provided for your information and appropriate disposition. Please direct any further inquiries regarding this matter to(W. . Curtis Chaloner at (40552 (secure) . oo We Curtis Chaloner for (Linda J. Stevens] FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
13-00000 e XO February 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR: (damet"KU"EG@ktTond! Chief, Information Management Branch Office of Personnel Security FROM: J. Barry Harrelson Senior Reviewer SUBJECT: Requested “Mission Statement” re HRP/ARRB 1. This is in response to your request asking that HRP provide you with a “mission statement” concerning HRP and its relationship to the Assassination Records Review Board. It flows from the fact that the ARRB staff has declared the OPS files of Nagell, Novel and Ruby to “assassination records” and our subsequent request that the files or copies thereof be forwarded to HRP. Also, certain portions of the files of Waiter Sheridan and Harold Weisberg have or will be declared assassination records. 2. The Historical Review Project (formerly the Historical Review Group, CSI, DCI) has among its several projects the responsibility to deal with the presidentially appointed Assassination Records Review Board and its legal mandate to find and transfer to the National Archives all U.S. Government records relating to the Assassination of President Kennedy. The authority of the ARRB is fairly broad and includes: the authority to designate files/documents “assassination records,” to determine if a particular record or certain information within it must be released to the Archives or postponed until 2007, and, the power to issue subpoenas in the pursuit of its assigned activities. 3. In the instant case, the Board staff has designated the Nagell, Novel and Ruby security files assassination records. Copies of them must now be processed by HRP according to its current guidelines for release/protection of information and the files released to the Archives. With respect to the files on Sheridan and Weisberg, further review by the Board is necessary to designate which, if any, portions of them are assassination records. 4. I hope that the above fulfills your requirement in this matter and I look forward to receipt of the files. J. Barry Harrelson
13-00000 CONFIDENTIAL REASON: Section 1.5 C DECL on: X1 pav fam: COV 1-82 NOTE FOR: (Paul. F. Morris: Joseph B. “Castill@ 7 @ DA Richard ‘Rees @A FROM: Robert F. _ Bodroghy-¥- OFFICE: OPS/CD/IMB DATE: 02/19/98 11:11:47 AM SUBJECT: 1.(AiU0) Six volumes of the Oswald files were reieased to HRG/CSI for review and eventual release to the AARB. Volume V, the missing volume was never found and the conclusion was that it either never existed and there was a numbering error or that the material from that volume was incorporated into the other volumes. 2. (AlIUO) If we send copies of the files on Nagell, Novel and Ruby to J. Barry Harrelson, Barry's office will be responsible for determining what may be released to the AARB, and as appropriate referring third party documents to the originating agency. He will coordinate with us prior to releasing the files to the AARB. 3. (U) We are waiting for C/OPS concurrence prior to reproducing the files. cc: (Lin (Linda J. J. ‘Stevens C- @ DA, Frieda P. Omasta @ DA Sent on 19 February 1998 at 11:11:47 AM CONFIDENTIAL
13-00000 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 10 April 1998. MEMORANDUM FOR:J. Barry Harrelson CSI/HRG, JFK Project Officer FROM: Robert F. Bodroghy 223) DA/OPS/IMB DATE: 10 April 1998 SUBJECT : Files of Richard C Nagell(0264170) and Jack L. Rubenstein (0261219) , 1. Based on a telephone conversation with Gary Breneman this date, forwarded herewith is a complete copy of the Nagell file anda copy of the Rubenstein file minus the newspaper clippings. 2. The original newspaper clippings from the Rubenstein file are also forwarded herewith with the understanding that your office will have the clippings copied and either the originals or a copy of the originals will be returned to this office. 3. This should complete all action on our part relative to the turnover of files to your office for the AARB and all action relative to the forwarding of copies of specific documents requested by Michelle Coombs. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
13-00000 ; NRE nee ate nei: 4 CIA SPECIA! er] fw! 18 June 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD FROM: Gary M. Breneman, IC SUBJECT: Completion of ARRB Review of Certain Security Files 1. The ARRB requested access to certain security files and the same was granted. 2. FolloWing review of such files, the reviewer, Michelle Combs, directed that portions of each be copied and made a part of the JFK assassination records. Further, that the materials be review for release as soon as possible. 3. This request has been completed and copies of the selected portions of the security files on the following individuals have been place in the queue to be processed: A. Ted Shackley : William M. Kent Harold Weisberg ‘walter J. Sheridan Gordon Novel yt HF Oo QO wD Jack L. Rubenstein (aka Jack Ruby) 4. Questions concerning this process should be made to Barry Harrelson or Gary Breneman. Gary eneman
ried 13-00000 .L COLLECTIONS 14 August 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR: Laura Denk Executive Director, ARRB _ FROM: J. Barry Harrelson JFK Project Officer, HRP/OIM SUBJECT: CIA-IR-27, Security Files for Five Individuals 1. This is in response to referent request. 2. This request asked for review of the Office of Security files on five individuals -- Richard Case Nagell, Gordon Novel, Jack Ruby, Walter Sheridan and Harold Weisberg. The entire files on all five individuals were made availabie for ARRB staff review. The files of Nageil, Novel and Ruby and portions of the files on Sheridan and Weisberg were designated assassination records and put into the review process for release to the National Archives. 3. . This concludes the Agency’s action on this request. If you have any questions, please advise. ’ J. Barry Harrelspn