[1]DAARAAN
[2]Iit04-10331-10318 | 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992
[4]‘ _ Secret - Working Paper
[6]Notes from Briefing of ARRB Staff on Stations
[7]; (11 October 1995 - ARRB conf. room)
[9]CIA Attendees: Bill McNair
[10]Lee Carle
[11]John Goins
[12]Chuck Briggs
[13]Hal Bean
[14]Barry Harrelson
[16]Bill re Stations:
[18]No problem with release of COS, fact we have overseas
[19]locations, CIA representatives in specific countries -- the
[20]problem comes with officially acknowledging the stations
[21]thereby putting the host government and service ina
[22]position of explaining why it is allowing a foreign
[23]espionage unit to operate in the country. This may become a
[24]serious political issue for the government, especially in —
[25]countries where the government does not acknowledge its own
[26]service. Also can be perceived as “rubbing their nose in
[27]it” and can effect the trust between the Agency and the host
[28]service (violated agreement of confidentially) .
[30]Marwell pointed out that this information was 30 years old
[31]‘and ask what was the impact of acknowledging a station
[32]presence in 1963 on current operations or relations.
[34]Bill responded “opened up old sores” and cited Rome and the
[35]sensitivity to our involvement in past election. Mentioned
[36]the reaction to the announcement on covert actions by DCI.
[38]Gunn ask if stations = liaison relationship; Bill said the
[39]other service can not say it did not know the CIA was
[40]operation in its own country -- would look incompetent.
[41]Mary ask about changes in gov; rnment ;,Bill responded that
[42]good, ill be back in power at some point.
[44]Bill comments on specific stations
[46]It important to the story such as Mexico City and the
[47]surrounding stations which were involved in the cable
[48]exchanges re Oswald, then will release.
[50]“Don't take it away from us for little or no gain to the
[51]story”, I. e. if not critical to the story let us protect.
[53]He indicated he could live with opening the stations for
[54]short windows if important to story, but also said it.
[55]created a problem about protecting other activities in that
[58]Secret
[60]intell types tend to stay or its,revolving door where a neh
[62]13-00000
[64]Secret - Working Paper
[66].Moscow - opened for Oswald windows
[68]Rome - No, past elections issue and current narcotics
[69]projects
[71]Delhi - No, counter narcotics projects
[73]Madrid - Liaison relationships have been up and:down; (PNGed
[74]“five officers) can't afford any more flaps
[76]Rabat - long time relationship w/ head of state; could give
[77]‘anti-government labor unions an issue (however, would
[78]not “fall on my sword” for this one.
[80]Helsinki and Stockholm -- would go to DCI with request to
[82]appeal (governments currently under‘ fire for cooperation
[84]with US/very sensitive operation under way: _
[86]Marwell ask about substitute language: Scandinavia, Northern
[88]Europe -- Bill responded with Western Europe/ said southern
[90]Europe for Rome, Madrid etc. “ok”
[92]London: do not want to acknowledge but could live with
[94]Australia - very sensitive
[96]Berlin - is open in 1955; 1963 (?) Bill may have been having
[98]second thoughts about previous statement “to release”, but I
[100]think it still stands -- there was a discussion of why
[102]Berlin important to story.
[104]Mary ask about other European stations, Bombay and some
[105]South American stations ;
[107]Bill did not have specific on other stations but made a
[108]couple of comments
[110]Bonn and Hague - no problem
[112]Brussels - very sensitive to any mention of intelligence
[113]service presence
[115]Would get back to them on other stations
[117][I promised Bill a list of the Stations]
[119]Secret
[121]woe
[123]13-00000__
[125]'
[127]Secret - Working Paper
[129]Other issues discussed
[131]Crypts other than LIs and AMs - there was a discussion re
[132]deleting digraph and letting rest of crypt; everyone seemed
[133]receptive, but no decision.
[135]Bill mentioned Iranian takeover as good example of damage
[136]caused by release of documents with crypts, file #s, etc.
[137]Gunn ask if there was an internal “damage” study prepared.
[138]Bill said he would check.
[140]Marwell rejected the approach of the Agency having the
[141]opportunity to discuss Board actions before official
[142]notification. If we have evidence, need to present upfront,
[143]not come back with additional evidence after the decision.
[145]The balancing of public interest vs Agency needs came up
[146]several times; Marwell commented that even if a document or
[147]item is not important to the Oswald story, the Agency must
[148]still defend.
[150]Bill stated’ several timed during the meeting “If important
[151]to the story, we can live with release”.
[153]| Barry
[154]12 October 1995
[156]Secret