Date: JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM 03/14/05 AGENCY RECORD NUMBER RECORD SERIES AGENCY FILE NUMBER AGENCY INFORMATION CIA 104-10332-10009 JFK PROJFILES-DECLASS STDS AGENCY ORIGINATOR FROM TO TITLE DATE PAGES SUBJECTS DOCUMENT TYPE CLASSIFICATION RESTRICTIONS CURRENT STATUS DATE OF LAST REVIEW COMMENTS DOCUMENT INFORMATION CIA : ARRB-CIA ISSUE: YURI NOSENKO : 05/30/1978 : 76 NOSENKO YURI JFK ASSASSINATION UNIT INDEX ARRB ISSUE PAPER SECRET | 1A IB RELEASED IN PART 04/01/03 JFK-M-17 INDEX : F10 4 PAGES DIF. 2000.02.14.15:37:00:280044 PUBLIC - RELEASED WITH DELETIONS UNIT [R] - HW 55157 DoclId:32404522 Page 1 ITEM IS RESTRICTED 104-10332-10009
camo [FE , a i 6c 78-3545 | TS) a Fide tl 'S-3).95 CINHISTORIGAL REVIENFRO GRAM ecore dun 5 10 ov AMIB- ape MEMORANDUM FOR: VIA : Deputy Director of Central Intelligence FROM : S. D. Breckinridge ; Principal Coordinator, HSCA ‘ Office of Legislative Counsel SUBJECT House Select Committee on Assassinations Request for Access to the "Hart Report" 1. Action Requested: That you approve the recommendation at” paragraph 14 for limited access of selected House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) staff members to a Classified, sanitized version of the Hart Report. 2. _Background: As you know, the HSCA Staff Director, Mr. Blakey, has requested you in a letter dated 9 May 1978 (Tab A), to provide access -to a report prepared by John Hart in 1977 on the subject of the Agency's handling of the Nosenko case. This request is part of an inquiry into hypotheses arising from Epstein's book Legend, in which the view is presented that Nosenko was a dispatched agent with the mission of . concealing KGB ties with Lee Harvey Oswald. Central to HSCA interest is the question of Nosenko's bona fides. Additional to that issue, interest has developed in the manner in which Nosenko was treated du ing the period that his bona fides were suspect. These two issues are treated separately below. . I 3° The Hart report is directed at the handling of the Nosenko case, addressing the actions and conduct of various officers inthe Agency. These bona fides, so there also is considerable review of the methodology employed “and the analyses of those handling the matter. Mr. Blakey states in his letter that he has been informed that the report contains no information on ; the issues of bona fides, being concerned instead only with personnel and internal procedures. This understanding on his part is incorrect, and his letter suggests that he himself has reservations about it. HW 55157 DBocld:32404522 Page 2?
SECKET W 4. The Agency has made available to the HSCA two studies conducted in 1967 and 1963 by SE Division, both of which questioned Nosenko's bona fides. A subsequent study by the Office of Security in 1968 has also been made available; it reached a conclusion contrary to the preceding studies and Supports Nosenko's bona fides. Other Soviet defectors have been interviewed by the HSCA staff, as wellas knowledgeable CIA officers and retirees. As a result, much of the information on the case has: been “revealed to the Committee. 9- The two SE Division Studies, concluding that Nosenko was a KGB agent, were superceded by the Office of Security study, which prevailed. The HSCA investigators reportedly have problems with how the earlier two studies could be rejected so shortly after their completion. Asa result, the HSCA seems focused on the issues as viewed at that time. The Hart report has the advantage of having been prepared after a ten year period, during which experience with the validity of Nosenko's information provides the basis for an objective re-examination. It is relevant to HSCA interests that the Hart Report constitutes a convincing statement of the bona fides of Nosenko. Access to this portion of the Hart Report would help broaden and complete the understanding of the HSCA of the matter. 6. Because of the above, the Agency has everything to gain and nothing to lose in providing the Hart Report for its review of the issue of Nosenko's bona fides. : II 7. In addition to the central issue of Nosenko's bona fides, Chairman Stokes has expressed interest in the treatment accorded Nosenko during the period that his bona fides were in question. Nosenko reportedly has provided the HSCA with some detail on this. We have made the point that how Nosenko was treated was a result of the issue, not a part of it. When we includes this. The rationale appears a bit contrived and stretched ‘in terms of the real issues. How Nosenko was treated may indicate how concerned CIA was with’thé man's bona fides, but so far as relating further to the taquiry concerning President Kennedy's assasSination, it seems marginal at oest. The rationale is so far-feiched that we have been led to consider that its dramatic qualities are attractive for the projected TV spectacular this coming September. It also doubtless provides an opportunity for public criticism for those staff members who have been acknowledged by Mr. Blakey as hostile to the Agency. CEPDCT mw AY tats HW 55157 DBocld:32404522 Page 3
» 8. If the rationale of the HSCA for pursuing the question of Nosenko's treatment is contrived, and largely peripheral to the real purpose of the Committee, as we believe it to be, it should be faced in those terms. No one would disagree with there being relevant _ inquiries, but it is hardly proper to take an internal critique and turn SO obvious. The Committee thas the right to determine what is relevant to its charter, but the Agency should also assert a similar right to defend itself from truly peripheral and hostile fishing expeditions. 9. Therefore, while we believe that the Hart Report should be made available to the HSCA Staff, we do not believe that such action should be taken prior to attempting to limit the use made of information contained in the Report not related to the issue of Nosenko's bona fides. Iil 10. There are aspects of the Hart Report that contain information on foreign liaison services that should not be exposed to the HSCA. There is therefore, a question of some Sanitization to be conducted prior to the _ Report's being made available. ll. A version of the Report has been prepared for the FBI in which the; names of employees below the DCI have been removed, as well as certain modifications in more dramatic rhetorical phrases. That version is in other respects faithful to the original Report. It provides a working basis for further sanitization. Sanitization prior to review is not foreign to the HSCA, as the Directorate of Operations has had a continuing policy of selected sanitization. Extending this practice to the Hart Report would be consistent with the extant working relationshio with HSCA. The Report will remain classified. 12. If the paper is made available, classified and Sanitized, it should be on a highly restricted basis; the HSCA wants six named persons td have access toit, whichis at least three times the number needed for bona fide research purposes. 13. Staff Position: This paper favors making a sanitized version of the paper, in classified form, available to a limited number of the HSCA staff representatives at the CIA Headquarters Building at Langley. Any such release should be preceded by appropriate discussions limiting use of the material by the Committee. The General Counsel is of the opinion (Tab B) Go eS alslons VEN Tit HW 55157 DBocld:32404522 Page 4 A metas tet trae men aa nes anne
mnat if the paper is withheld, anda court test results, the Agency siuSt expect to failin withholding the paper. The Office of the General ‘ounsel, the Office of Security, SE Division and CI Staff favor making the paper available under the conditions set forth above. 14. Recommendation: That you approve Sranting access toa limited number of staff members of the HSCA toa classified, Sanitized version of the Hart Report. Such access shall be conditioned on agreement to limit use of materials contained in the Report to those matters relating to the question of Nosenko's bona fides. . S. D. Breckinridge Attachments - CONCURRENCE: SIcurp 31 MAY 1978 ~ General Counsel oo Date ~ - Chief, SE Division Date — ~ Chief, Cl Staff ~ Date 4 JUN 1978 . Date “OPK Act 6 (1) (A) i 7 JEK Act 6 (1) (B) “; > - . ae [eee Director of Central Intelligence Date pISAPPROVAL: \ Direcior of Central Intelligence Date 4 HW 55157 DBocld:32404522 Page 5
.SUBJECT: House Select Committee on ASSasSinaticz=s Request for Access to the "Hart Repert™ Distribution: ' Orig - Adse -~ DDCI - ER - OGC - C/SE Div . C/CI Staff - SA/DO/O - D/OS - OLC/Subj - OLC/Chrono OLC/SDB/ksn (30 May 78) Pe ee ' { HW 55157 Docld:32404522 Page 6
HW 55157 OP PENA ONAL 11 March 1993 NOTE FOR: irector for Operations FROM: eter Earnest Chief, Media Relations SUBJECT: WASHINGTON POST Request to Talk to an Agency Specialist on the Kennedy Assassination The WASHINGTON POST is preparing a series of articles on JO the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination. With the help of CIC, we recently arranged for George Lardner and Walter Pincus of the WASHINGTON POST to interview a former KGB officer Yuri Nosenko about his knowledge of Lee l Harvey Oswald during the time Oswald lived in the Soviet Union. To ensure that’ Nosenko's resettlement identity and location would remain protected, I made the arrangements for Nosenko to come to Washington for the interview. The POST reimbursed Nosenko for expenses and paid him a $250 consulting fee. The interview was done on Wednesday, 3 March, at the POST offices downtown. I did not remain for it. Lardner and Pincus also hosted a lunch for Nosenko which was attended by Ben Bradlee. Lardner and Pincus were very pleased with their session with Nosenko and appreciative of our making it possible. I also spoke afterwards with Nosenko who said he was satisfied with how the interview. was conducted and with the financial arrangements. Shortly after the interview, Lardner faxed me a List! of the questions that he and Pincus had prepared for themselves -to use in checking out Nosenko's information. They asked if there was anyone at the Agency they could talk to about the individuals named. I told them that developing information in response to:their questions would probably take a good deal of research arid. that I doubted the Agency would be able to take on such a task at this time for the POST» However, I said I would take it up with the appropriate offices. Although I told the POST that I do not believe anyone would be willing to undertake research on their questions, I'm wondéring if there is anyone around who might be knowledgeable of Nosenko's information who would be willing to talk with Lardner and Pincus on background based on his/her existing knowledge. I think Lardner and Pincus would be grateful for making such a person available even if DoclId: 324045223 Page ?
HW 55157 SUBJECT: WASHINGTON POST Request all their questions aren't answered. Considering that they are trying to do serious research on the Kennedy assassination, I think any effort on our part to help them would be seen as a gesture of good will. “JEK Act 6 (1) (A) JFK Act 6 (1) (B) | Pete¥ Earnest Attachment: As stated Agree to having a specialist talk to them on background about the Nosenko information if an appropriate person is available. No, do not want anyone from the DO talking about the Nosenko information. DoclId: 3274045272 Page &
SUBJECT: WASHINGTON POST Request to Talk to an Agency specialist in the Kennedy Assassination DCI/PAI/Earnest :ncbx37758 (11 March 1993) Distribution: Original Addressee ADDO SA/DDO DO Registry D/PAI D/DO/CIC C/DO/NROC C/DO/CE C/CSI C/History Staff a ee HW 55157 DBocld:32404522 Page 9 \
HW 55157 ~ Reel 45, Folder 13 This folder contains one document. The document is a ten page extract from the 835 page study “The Case of Yuriy Ivanovich Nosenko” by Peter Bagley. It records Peter Deryabin’s conclusions on Nosenko’s bona fides. Deryabin does not believe Nosenko. Reel 45, Folder 17 This folder contains an 89 page verbatim transcript of an interrogation session by Peter ... Deryabin which covers Nosenko’s career as a KGB officer, his marriage, and KGB buildings, personalities, and procedures. A two page key to abbreviations in the transcript is also included. Reel 45, Folder 19 pers This folder dontains pages 349-602, part IV of the 835 page study “The Case of Yuriy Ivanovich Nosenko” prepared by Peter Bagley of the Soviet Division (DC/SB) in 1967. The study analyzes Nosenko’s biography, case work, and responsibilities as a Soviet intelligence officer. The conclusion of the report is that Nosenko is a dispatched agent under the control of the KGB. Reel 45, Folder 20 ‘This folder contains an 89 page verbatim transcript of an interrogation session by Peter Deryabin which covers Nosenko’s career as a KGB officer, and KGB buildings, personalities, and procedures. Reel 45, Folder 21 This folder contains an 85 page verbatim transcript of an interrogation session by Peter Deryabin which covers Nosenko’s experiences in and knowledge of Komosol and Communist Party personalities, buildings, and procedures. Reel 45, Folder 24 This folder contains pages 1-84, parts I, II, III, and IV, of the 835 page study “The Case of Yuriy Ivanovich Nosenko” prepared by Peter Bagley of the Soviet Division (DC/SB) in 1967. Reel 45, Folder25 __ This folder contains pages 85-348, part V of the 835 page study “The Case of Yuriy Ivanovich Nosenko” prepared by Peter Bagley of the Soviet Division (DC/SB) in 1967. ‘Docld:327404522 Page 26