</s>104-10140-10419 ACT APPROVED FOR RELEASE 1963 RELEASE CA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM 3 Feb77 MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence Depuy Director for Operations To : DDCCI General Counsel) Deputy Secretary for Operations Pristeal 3. General Counsel Director of Security HSCA FROM John H. Walker Inspector General 77-00/9/2 SUBJECT Procedures for Dealing with House Select Committee on Assassinations 1. We are of the opinion that the Agency must establish a firm basis for doing business with the House Select Committee on Assassin- nations. The Agency must reserve the right to respond on an orderly and considered basis, and it must put itself in a position to be dealt with by the Committee on an orderly basis. 2. The need for a tight procedure is highlighted by the public statements that have been made recently by Chief Counsel Sprague. He has stated that: a. "The Committee would have to retain its own authorities with respect to disclosures and couldn't capitulate to Executive Branch requirements in this regards; b. "the Committee might even reveal the identity of under- cover CIA agents, if necessary, to tell the story: 18924 Filed in Guidlin

Summary  
The document outlines procedural guidelines for U.S. intelligence agencies to manage interactions with the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA). It emphasizes establishing formal protocols to balance transparency with protecting classified information and sources. Key concerns include the committee’s potential to disclose undercover agents, use hidden recording devices, and publish findings regardless of legal or operational impacts. The memo references prior agreements with the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSC) and the Pike Committee, advocating for stricter controls over information disclosure, witness interviews, and document sanitization. It also notes apprehension from congressional leaders regarding the HSCA’s investigative methods, including proposed techniques involving psychological stress evaluations. A separate section details logistical arrangements for HSCA staff access to unclassified materials, security clearances, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing classified information exchanges.  

Key People  
- John H. Walker: Inspector General overseeing procedural guidelines.  
- Chief Counsel Sprague: House Select Committee on Assassinations representative advocating for disclosure of intelligence sources.  
- Jackie Hess: HSCA staff liaison discussing access protocols with the CIA.  
- George S. Lary (George L. Carry): Legislative Counsel coordinating with the HSCA.  

Key Locations  
- U.S. Intelligence Agencies (CIA, HSCA)  
- Congressional committees (House Select Committee on Assassinations, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence)  

Key Events  
- Development of procedural frameworks for intelligence agencies to engage with the HSCA.  
- Discussions on balancing transparency and operational security during investigations.  
- Proposals for formalizing access protocols, including unclassified material sharing and MOU requirements.  
- Concerns raised by congressional leaders about the HSCA’s investigative methods.  

Key Organizations  
- House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)  
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSC)  
- Pike Committee (House Select Committee on Intelligence)  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Legislative Counsel (Office of Legislative Council, HSCA)

MLK Declassified Files

00432587_memorandum_with_attachmen_104-10140-10419.pdf

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