LETTER: STATUS OF CIA RESPONSES TO ASSASSINATION RECORDS REVIEW BOARD'S COMPLIANCE PROGRAM AND REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RECORDS
Originator: ARRB
From: T.JEREMY GUNN
To: J. BARRY HARRELSON
Document date: 04/16/1997
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

1704- 10330-10084 6/87 2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

10

SIN

Assassination Records Review Board

600 E Street NW - 2nd Floor • Washington, DC 20530

(202) 724-0088 - Fax: (202) 724-0457

IEW

April 16, 1997

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

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 Compliance

Program and Requests for Additional Information and Records

Dear Barry:

I am writing to memorialize the Review Board's understanding of the status of CLA's

responses to our formal and informal requests for additional information and records

that have been requested pursuant to the Review Board's authority under Section

7()(1)(C)(ii)of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of

1992, 44 U.S.C. § 2107 (Supp. V 1994) (FK Act).

It is important that everyone at the Agency who is responsible for providing answers to

our requests for additional information and records understand that the answeis will

need to be incorporated by reference into the Agency's Final Compliance Statement.

Essentially, ClA will need to attest, under oath, that it has made all reasonable and

diligent searches and that its answers are true and correct to the extent of the best,

reasonably available information. In this regard, is important to note that when the

Review Board requests, for example, a 201 file, it is not asking that you identify relevant

records within the Sequestered Collection. Rather, it is asking to review the original

201 file in its current and most complete version.'

'The Review Board has no basis for assuming that a 201 file as it appears in the

Sequestered Collection today is necessarily complete. It is fully possible that a relevant

document was not identified by CLA or the HSCA in 1978-79 and therefore is not

included in the Sequestered Collection, or that a relevant document that was initially

placed in the Sequestered Collection in 1978-79 may have been misplaced at some point

during the subsequent twenty years. Therefore, in response to requests for files, it is

not sufficient merely to point to places where responsive records appear in the

Collection. On a case-by-case basis, we are very willing to hear your explanations for

the possible burdensomeness of any particular search or your analysis of why a search

BoARD MembeRs: John R. Tunheim, Chair • Honry F. Graff - Kermit L. Hall - William L. Joyce • Anna K. Nelson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: David G. Marwell

---

## Page 2

13-000094/16/97

WED 16:11 FAX 202 724 0157

ARRB

9003

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 2

As we have written in our formal requests and as we have said to you orally, you

should interpret our requests in the broadest reasonable sense. However, to the extent

that you believe that a request poses an unreasonable burden that we may not have

anticipated, or to the extent that you have suggestions to modify or to amend our

requests in such a way as to better reach our goals, you should not hesitate to make

suggestions or seek clarification. However, unless we specifically hear from you to the

contrary, it is our presumption that CIA will respond fully to the requests as posed.

In response to your request, the ARRB staff has now identified six of our outstanding

requests as high priority issues. We would appreciate your forwarding to us as much

responsive material as you are reasonably able to assemble during the upcoming two

weeks with regard to these six issues. We wish to obtain a reasonably complete

response to these requests within one month. These six issues are identified in the text

by double asterisks (**). 2

The remainder of this letter is divided into two parts involving first, the formal requests

for information and records, and second, the informal requests for information and

records. Please let me know it your understanding of any of the following points

differs from ours so that we can resolve any potential discrepancies.?

I. Formal Requests.

CIA-I Organizational Material.

CIA has collected information responsive to this request for Review Board

action. The ARRB staff has identified records that it believes will enhance the

will not be fruitful.

3As identified more fully below, the six issues are: CLA-7 (Histories); CIA-16

(Oswald Pre assassination files); personnel assigned to a designated post;

QKENCHANT; the electronic take from the Mexico City Station; and files on George

Stanley Brown.

This memorialization follows-up, in large part, on your conversations of March

19 and 20, 1997 with Michelle Combs and on the DO and DS&T briefings to the ARRB

staff on April 1, 1997.

---

## Page 3

13-000004/16/97

WED 16:11 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

4001

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 3

historical understanding of the assassination by providing some background on

CIA records.

CIA should now review the DO and DS&T organizational material and

re-examine some of the proposed redactions. Several documents have been

cleared by the directorate IRO's for either release in full or release with minor

redactions. The ARRB staff will consult with CIA to determine whether these

records should be designated "assassination records" or whether they could be

made available publicly in a manner similar to the material from the 1996 Boston

trip. HRG would like to discuss this issue before the materials are formally put

before the Review Board.

CIA-2 through CIA-5.

These requests have been satisfied and no further action is needed by CIA.

*These are:

DCI

DI

-Organization of the Office of the Director 1963

-Mission Statements for 1959, 1962, 1965 and 1966

-some Office of the Director notices

-OGC and IG Mission Statements for 1964, 1966, 1969, 1975, and 1976

-OLC Mission Statement for 1975 and 1976

-Organization and Functions of the DI pre-1961

-Organizational Charts for 1961, 1964, and 1969

-Mission Statements for 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, and 1970

DA

-Mission Statements 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963, and 1974

-Organizational Chart 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1966

-Office of Security Organizational Charts for 1956, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1966,

1967, 1969, and 1975

-Office of Security Mission Statements for 1958, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1969,

and 1975.

---

## Page 4

13-000084/16/97

WED 16:12 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

19005

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 4

CIA-6 Cables and Dispatches.

The Review Board first made this request on September 11, 1995. On September

11, 1995, CIA agreed to make these materials available by December, 1995. On

October 1, 1996, CIA agreed to make these materials available by November,

1996.

We are aware that many of the cables requested are already in the JFK files, but

not all are included. Those that we have not been able to locate in the collection

include: Mexico City Station to Headquarters (Septerber 26-30, 1963);

Headquarters to Mexico City Station (September 26-30, 1963); JMWAVE to

Headquarters (September 26-November 21, 1963); Headquarters to JMWAVE

(September 26-November 21, 1963); and all traffic between the Mexico City

Station and JMWAVE for the periods September 26-October 20, 1963 and

November 22-December 30, 1963.

**CIA-7 Histories.

The Review Board first requested access to several internal CIA histories and to

indices of histories on November 8, 1995. On August 8, 1996, after reviewing a

list of histories that you provided, the ARRB staff designated approximately

sixty histories for which further review was sought. To date, the ARRB staff has

reviewed the seven histories that CIA has made available and has made

suggestions with respect to further processing of those seven histories. CIA

should make the remaining sixty-plus histories available.

CIA-8 Intelligence Community Staff records.

The Review Board first requested information on the Intelligence Community

Satten Match 1960 Over The 2 196. CA great it report in the status of

substantive resporse to this request.

CIA-9 Intelligence Community publications on Cuba or USSR (November 20-30, 1963).

The LBJ Library has already identified several publications for mandatory

---

## Page 5

13-00099/16/97

WED

16:12 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

10008

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 5

review.' Michelle Combs reviewed the materials and identified some that should

probably publication able to the pubie quest has been taked to ocate the

CLA-10 Interagency Source Register.

CIA has provided a full description of the ISR, which should now be submitted

as a formal response to the Review Board's request. Once the formal statement is

provided, this request will be complete. (Under separate cover, the Review

Board is sending to you an additional request for information and records, CIA-

17, which provides a list of names that we request you check against the

Interagency Source Register.)

CIA-11 Sylvia Duran materials.

CIA reports that it has exhausted its reasonable leads for pursuing additional

information. CIA has agreed to provide a formal letter for the record detailing

what searches were done and confirming that the responsive document currently

in the JFK collection is a true copy of the original letter. Once this formal

statement is provided, this request will be complete.

CLA-12 JMWAVE and David Sanchez Morales.

On May 22, 1996, the Review Board requested access to "all 201 files, personnel

files, Office of Security files, P-files, or any other files" relating to five persons

allegedly connected to JMWAVE. It is our understanding that, in response to

this request, several months ago CIA located and made available for our review

many records responsive to this request. However, it is also our understanding

They include:

Intelligence Report (11/22/63; 11/23/63; 11/24/63; 11/26/63; 11/27/63;

12/11/63; 12/13/63; 12/18/63; and 12/20/63).

Intelligence Memorandum (11/23/63; 11/24/63; 11/25/63; 11/25/63; 4/20/64;

and 10/16/64).

President's Intelligence Checklist (11/23/63; 11/24/63; 11/25/63; 11/26/63;

11/27/63; 11/28/63; and 11/30/63).

---

## Page 6

13-00000

04/16/97

WED 16:13 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

0 007

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 6

that all of the records provided were located in the Sequestered Collection.

As stated in the second paragraph at the beginning of this letter, we seek to

review the original files that we have requested. The DO provided no response

and no time frame for a response.

CIA-13 Mexico City Backchannel Communications.

This request, dated November 1, 1996, was raised at the DO follow-up briefing

ол April 1, 1997. The DO provided no response and no time frame for a

response.

CIA-14 Mexico City Station Annual Reports.

This request, dated December 23, 1996, was raised at the DO follow-up briefing

on April 1, 1997. The DO provided no response and no time frame for a

response.

CIA-15 Win Scott files identified in Russ Holmes Files:

CIA has completed its response and no further action is needed.

**CIA-16 Oswald Pre-Assassination Files.

The HRG reportedly received a lengthy answer from the Office of Security on the

LHO files and a formal response to the Review Board's request is in process.

II. Informal Requests.

All of the foltowing informal requests have previously been made to CIA. For future

reference, they will be referred to by the "Informal Request" (IR) number provided

below.

---

## Page 7

13-000084/16/97 WED

16:13 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

0008

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 7

**CIA-IR-01 Personnel assigned to post from 1959-64 (see RIF 104-10065-10199).

This request, originally made in November 1996, was raised at the DO follow-up

briefing on April 1, 1997. It is our understanding that the DO believes that it is

not able to answer this request. The ARRB staff does not find DO's response to

be credible. We believe that with all of the resources at the Agency's disposal -

including ready contact with individuals who should be able to answer this

question from memory - this question can be answered. The ARRB staff has

provided suggestions as to how this information could be obtained, including

suggesting the types of files and cables that could be searched.

CIA-IR-02 Location of cable identified in JFK 1993.07.20.10.18:29:650630.

The cable was delivered to the Review Board on March 20, 1997. No further

action by CIA is needed.

CIA-IR-03 Full computer search for list of documents in HTLINGUAL file.

CIA should undertake a computer run for all HTLINGUAL documents. All

computer searches for these documents should be documented in a formal letter

for the record.

CLA-IR-04 Disposition of Angleton's files.

The Review Board seeks to ensure that it has taken all reasonable steps to

account for any files that James Jesus Angleton possessed or controlled that

related to the assassination and to Lee Harvey Oswald. Because of the perceived

controversy surrounding the disposition of Angleton's files, the Review Board

believes it prudent to obtain a clear understanding of the types of files that he

maintained and their ultimate disposition. (The Review Board does not seek to

explore any subjects in Angleton's files beyond those that may have pertained to

the assassination.) To date, CIA has made available certain documents provided

by the CIC and the case files for Mangold D. CIA. The Review Board requests any

additional information in the possession of CIA that would explain the

disposition of Angleton's files.

answer this question from memory, but who refused to do so.

-the e on frie mer, but the ret e of no dain to be able to r

---

## Page 8

13-000004/16/97

WED

18:13 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

1008

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 8

CIA-IR-05 Possible foreign source for records on Oswald.

CIA was informally requested, more than two years ago, to use its contacts to

pursue certain records related to Oswald that were orally described to CIA. The

Review Board believed that, for reasons of security classification of information,

it would be appropriate for CIA to make the initial inquiries rather than the

Review Board. Under separate cover, we are providing documentation of the

**CIA-IR-06 QKENCHANT.

The Review Board seeks information regarding the purpose of QKENCHANT

and its connection with Clay Shaw, Howard Hunt, and Monroe Sullivan.

The Review Board was initially provided some information in regard to this

request that now appears to be incorrect. CIA is now seeking additional

information to correct or to clarify its previous answers. The Review Board seeks

an immediate, full, and accurate response to this request.

CLA-IR-07 Claude Barnes Capehart.

The ARRB staff has reviewed all records that CIA has been able to locate to date.

During the course of this review, additional questions were raised that you

agreed to pursue. You also agreed to conduct additional searches to determine

whether there may be additional retrievable records on Mr. Capehart.

CIA-IR-08 Unredacted copy of the "Family Jewels" memoranda.

HRG will locate this item.

CIA-IR-09 George Bush computer search.

The Review Board provided CIA with a copy of an FBI document, dated

November 29, 1963, prepared under the name of John Edgar Hoover, which

states: "The substance of the foregoing information [on the assassination of

President Kennedy] was orally furnished to Mr. George Bush of the Central

Intelligence Agency..." We have been informed that the DO has no record of a

"George Bush" being in the employ of CIA in 1963 with the exception of Mr.

George William Bush who has already given a sworn affidavit that he is not the

---

## Page 9

13-000084/16/97

WED

16:14 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

4010

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 9

"George Bush" in question. CIA is now checking whether the search query

included George Herbert Walker Bush prior to 1970. CIA should determine

whether George Herbert Walker Bush is the person to whom the memorandum

refers and should provide a definitive statement regarding the scope of its search

and the basis of its conclusion.

CLA-IR-10 IG Reports.

CIA will determine whether the IG's office maintains an index or inventory of its

reports and determine whether the IG's office prepared a report on the handling

of Oswald.

CIA-IR-11 Warren Commission critics.

We are asking that CIA determine whether it possesses any files or records on

Warren Commission critics Edward J. Epstein, Josiah Thompson, Mark Lane,

Harold Weisberg, or Sylvia Meagher. The Review. Board is not requesting

information per se regarding any FOLA requests by these individuals or any

Public Affairs news clippings.

CIA-IR-12 Contacts with journalists or publishing houses.

The Review Board seeks to determine to what extent, if any, CIA might have

attempted to influence any journalists or publishers regarding public discussior

of the assassination. This request, originally discussed in March 1997, was raisec

at the DO follow-up briefing on April 1, 1997. The DO had no response and no

time frame for a response.

CIA-IR-13 Office or person dealing with organized crime and Cuba.

The Review Board requested that CIA make a particular personnel file available.

The file was made available by CLA for review. The Review Board will discus

vith you whether any further steps need to be taken

"To the exterit that CLA possesses FOLA files or records on any of these

individuals, and to the extent that those records contain information that was not filed

with the courts, such records are being requested for review by the Review Board.

---

## Page 10

13-000084/18/87

WED 16:14 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

B011

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 10

CIA-IR-14 Breckinridge files.

CIA (OGC) will determine the disposition of the files of Scott D. Breckinridge.

**CIA-IR-15 Electronic "take" from Mexico City Station.

The Review Board has for some time been attempting to determine whether it

has had access to all of CIA's surveillance "take" from the Cuban and Soviet

facilities in Mexico City at the time of the Oswald visit and in the immediate

wake of the assassination. On numerous occasions, the Review Board has asked

whether there was any surveillance take in addition to what is currently in the

collection.

On March 18, 1997, the Review Board provided additional leads to CIA to assist

it in answering these questions. The DO has agreed to check Headquarters

records for the file referenced in HMMW 12454, to search for the crypts cited in

this document, and to search for HIMMA 20307 and other cables or dispatches

cited in this document. The DS&T will query its offices for possible records on

Mexico City and Cuba and for the present location of Staff D records. Regardless

of the outcome of these particular searches, the Review Board continues to seek a

full accounting for all surveillance conducted during the relevant time periods.

CIA-IR-16 U-2 files.

DS&T will provide a folder title print out of U-2 materials for Review Board

examination, check for records filed under Richard Bissell's name, and search for

OSP files. DS&T has also contacted Lockheed for assistance.

CIA-IR-17 DS&T Records on Castro assassination plots.

HRG will furnish the 1967 IG Report to provide possible search query

suggestions for DS&T follow-up.

CIA-IR-18 DO Office.

The Review Board has requested orally information about a particular DO office.

We understand that you are collecting the relevant information.

---

## Page 11

13-00000

04/16/97

WED 16:15 FAX 202 724 0457

ARRB

10012

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 11

CIA-IR-19 Computer searches!

The Review Board has requested that full computer searches be conducted on all

of the following people and organizations. The results of the searches should be

documented.

1. Spas Raikin

2. Leo Cherne

3. Hunter Leake

1. Marilyn Dutz Murret

5. John McVickar

6. Andy Anderson

7. Byron B. Morton, Jr.

8. Marie Cheatham

9. Paul Garbler

10. Verna Deane Brown

**11. George Stanley Brown

12. Howard Guebler

13. Gordon Duane Novel

14. Ed Butler

15. INCA (Information

Council of the Americas)

16. Permindex

ARRB awaits documentation.

ARRB awaits documentation. OP file starts in 1988. HIRG is

checking on a 201. No OMS file.

ARRB awaits documentation. HRG is checking for a DCD

ARRB awaits documentation.

ARRB awaits documentation. No OP file. No OMS file. DO

is checking.

ARRB awaits documentation.

ARRB awaits documentation. No OP file. No OMS file.

ARRB awaits documentation. No OP file. No OMS file.

ARRB awaits documentation. OP file. OMS file. HRG has

requested personnel file.

ARRB awaits documentation. No OP file.

ARRB awaits documentation.

ARRB awaits documentation. HRG will check for files.

ARRE awaits documentation. HRG will check for files.

ARRB awaits documentation. HRG will check for files.

ARRB awaits documentation. HIRG will check for files.

1 ARRB awaits documentation. HRG will check for files.

---

## Page 12

13-00000*/ 10/01

"LU LU.LO IDA LUL ILY UTUI

Mr. J. Barry Harrelson

April 16, 1997

Page 12

Conclusion

Please let me know if you have any supplements or corrections. We would very much

like to ensure that these matters are handled expeditiously. As always, we appreciate

your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely

T. Terer

my

Associate Director for Kesearch and Analysis

cc: Linda Cipriani, Esg.

---