THE WHITE HOUSE EYES ON£¥ WASHINGTON October 31 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM SUBJECT Back n Covert O erations in Chile It is my view that there is some background information that you should consider in addition to the points contained in the decision paper These are matters that I mentioned to you briefly In my opinion they are significant and should be considered in any decision you might make First there is division among those in the Coordinating Group on ' Intelligence Activities This division in some instances is reflected by subordinates These differences arise over several key points set out below 1 The point is made by Hyland Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence Matters that much of the information to be covered in the open hearings is contained in the assassination report which the Select Committee has indicated they would like to publish Hyland is one of the three persons from the Administration who has read the report 2 Hyland indicates the Secretary of State and former CIA Director Helms have given the Committee apparently in Executive Session this evidence It must be assum d this testimony is contained in the assassination eport DECLASSIFIED -2- Additionally there is some material from Nixon in possession of the Committee which spells out this operation 3 In a rather surprising change of attitude Hyland in the Thursday morning meeting began· to speak in terms of the value of giving the Committee as much as we can in order to ride out as quickly as possible this adverse period which should end shortly and thus get the hearings behind us 4 Former Ambassador to Chile Korry retired is apparentiy a source of great concern to State as a witness before the Select Committee •• Apparently his appearance will be highly damaging inasmuch as he is knowledgeable and able 5 Likewise there is great concern about the public testimony avail- able to the Committee from a former military attache who knows the whole st ry 6 David Phillips a former CIA official who was involved in the Chile operation will have to be put on notice that he is bound by his secrecy agreement in order to prevent him from testifying in open session 7 These anticipated relevations in public hearings by former United States officials engaged in the operation appear to be raising a question as to whether it may be necessary to put an Administration witness into the hearing to be certain the other side of the story is told The fact that former officials testify is ·dminishing the force of the argument for non confirmation by the United States Government -3The situation is further compounded by the fact that we do not know what will be_revealed in the assassination report 8 It has been brought to my attention that you should exercise extreme care because of a response you made to a press question in one of your • press conferences shortly after becoming President This question related to Chile and I am advised that the response is not fully consistent with the facts because all of the facts had not been made known to you I am endeavoring to get additional information on this point 9 Ed Levi has talked to me privately and he is of the view that you should weigh carefully a decision of this type where your position can be attack by partisans as cover-up or misunderstanding by others as unreasonable or obstructionist In summary I pass this information on to you with the recommendation that you may wish to discuss this issue with several people rather than trying to resolve it through a decision paper only Although I feel it important to bring these points to your attention it would nevertheless still be my recommendation that you not agree to the participation of Administration witnesses in an open hearing