S. Hrg. 104-593
CIA'S USE OF JOURNALISTS
AND CLERGY IN
INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS
Y 4, IN 8/ 19; S. HRG, 104-593
Gift's Use of Journalists and Clergy. .
BEFORE THE
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
OF THE
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED FOURTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON
CIA'S USE OF JOURNALISTS AND CLERGY
IN INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1996
Printed for the use of the Select Committee on Intelligence
f'*+:Hii^lWWOFO0iiIP^
EPiiSITORI'
./< iC
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
27-623 CC WASHINGTON : 1996
For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents. Congressional Sales Office. Washington, DC 20402
ISBN 0-16-053885-8
S. Hrg. 104-593
CIA'S USE OF JOURNALISTS
AND CLERGY IN
INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS
y 4. IN 8/19: S. HRG, 104-593
CIA's Use of Journalists and Clerqg. .
_^!„JNG
BEFORE THE
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
OF THE
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED FOURTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON
CIA'S USE OF JOURNALISTS AND CLERGY
IN INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1996
Printed for the use of the Select Committee on Intelligence
UirPayiTORV " '
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
27-623 CC WASHINGTON : 1996
For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Sales Office. Washington, DC 20402
ISBN 0-16-053885-8
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania, Chairman
J. ROBERT KERREY, Nebraska, Vice Chairman
RICHARD G. LUGAR, Indiana JOHN GLENN, Ohio
RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama RICHARD H. BRYAN, Nevada
MIKE DeWINE, Ohio BOB GRAHAM, Florida
JON KYL, Arizona JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts
JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma MAX BAUCUS, Montana
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas J. BENNETT JOHNSTON, Louisiana
CONNIE MACK, Florida CHARLES S. ROBB, Virginia
WILLIAM S. COHEN, Maine
ROBERT DOLE, Kansas, Ex Officio
THOMAS A. DASCHLE, South Dakota, Ex Officio
Charles Battaglia, Staff Director
Christopher C. Straub, Minority Staff Director
Kathleen P. McGhee, Chief Clerk
(II)
CONTENTS
OPENING STATEMENTS
Page
Hearing held in Washington, DC:
Wednesday, July 17, 1996 1
Statement of:
Adelman, Kenneth L., Syndicated Columnist 12
Anderson, Terry, Journalist 15
Argue, Dr. Don, President, National Association of Evangelicals 29
Coverdell, Hon. Paul, a U.S. Senator from the State of Georgia 3
Deutch, Hon. John, Director of Central Intelligence 6
Glenn, Hon. John, a U.S. Senator from the State of Ohio 3
Kerrey, Hon. J. Robert, a U.S. Senator from the State of Nebraska 2
Kerry, Hon. John F., a U.S. Senator from the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts 14
Koppel, Ted, Anchorman, ABC News "Nightline" 16
LaVerdiere, Sister Claudette, President, MaryknoU Sisters Congregation . 32
Orme, Dr. John, Executive Director, International Foreign Mission Asso-
ciation 30
Page, Dr. Rodney, Deputy General Secretary, Church World Service and
Witness Unit, National Council of Churches 32
Robb, Hon. Charles S., a U.S. Senator from the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia 35
Specter, Hon. Arlen, a U.S. Senator from the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania 1
Zuckerman, Mortimer B., Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, U.S. News and
World Report 18
Supplemental materials, letters, etc.:
Argue, Don, President, National Association of Evangelicals, biography .... 40
Adelman, Kenneth L., Syndicated Columnist, biography 11
Gearan, Mark D., Director of the Peace Corps, prepared statement 38
Koppel, Ted, Anchorman, ABC News "Nightline", biography 41
LaVerdiere, Sister Claudette, M.M., Community President, MaryknoU
Sisters, Curriculum Vitae 40
Page, Reverend Rodney I., National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the U.S.A., biography 41
Zuckerman, Mortimer B., Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, U.S. News and
World Report, biography 18
Hatfield, Hon. Mark O., a U.S. Senator from the State of Oregon, letter,
dated February 28, 1996 to the Honorable John Deutch, Director,
Central Intelligence 38
(III)
CIA'S USE OF JOURNALISTS AND CLERGY IN
INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1996
U.S. Senate,
Select Committee on Intelligence,
Washington, DC.
The Select Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:09 a.m., in
room SH-216, Hart Senate Office Building, the Honorable Arlen
Specter, (Chairman of the committee), presiding.
Present: Senators Specter, Kerrey of Nebraska, Glenn, Kerry of
Massachusetts, and Robb.
Also present: Charles Battaglia, Staff Director; Chris Straub, Mi-
nority Staff Director; Suzanne Spaulding, Chief Counsel; and Kath-
leen McGhee, Chief Clerk.
Chairman Specter. The Senate Select Intelligence Committee
hearing will proceed.
We regret the necessity to reschedule from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and
we're just a few minutes after 10 a.m. now. That was required be-
cause Senator Kerrey, Senator Glenn, and I and others had been
in a meeting with Director Deutch, as a matter of fact, at the Pen-
tagon on the issues arising out of the bombing of Dhahran back on
June 25.
We'll now proceed with the hearing on what public policy ought
to be with respect to the issue of the use of journalists or clergy
or Peace Corps representatives by the CIA. This matter came into
prominence earlier this year on a collateral discussion in one of the
reports, and then the matter was discussed briefly by the commit-
tee with the distinguished director. There had been quite a concern
expressed by a number of people in the news media. The House of
Representatives has since taken a vote on the subject as to the pro-
hibition of use of journalists and others by the CIA. It is a matter
which the committee thinks requires some analysis in the deter-
mination of public policy, perhaps by the Congress, or at least a
consideration of that.
There had been a meeting with journalists and Director Deutch
and a number of people have come to some terms which at least
some thought satisfactory. But it's a matter for the Congress as to
what the public policy of the U.S. Government ought to be.
There have been some suggestions that the issue should be de-
cided only by the Director, not even by the Deputy Director. There
have been some other suggestions that the matter ought to be de-
cided only by the President — that it's a matter of that importance —
and that it ought to take the analogy of a Finding, as with covert
activity, so that it is a very specific and a really high level showing
(1)
of necessity before a journalist or Peace Corps operator or clergy
would be used by the CIA.
There's been some other thinking that it ought to be limited to
a specific period of time and that if the exception is to be made,
the waiver of the prohibition, waiver by the President, that it ought
to be a matter of national security interest, as we have many,
many laws which involve prohibitions, but provide for a special ex-
ception on the waiver on a finding by the President of a national
security issue.
There's a certain concern about even a discussion of these mat-
ters to any extent publicly, because it gives currency and publicity
to this kind of an issue. But I think those who would retaliate and
those who would make an example of journalists, as they did of
Terry Anderson — who will be a witness here today — those people
are fully aware of this potential.
It's a matter of considerable interest and there ought to be public
consideration, congressional consideration, to try to formulate a
policy.
We have a very distinguished group of witnesses this morning.
Senator Paul Coverdell will be our lead witness in accordance with
our practice to give deference to members. Senator Coverdell brings
a unique experience as having been the Director of the Peace
Corps. We had asked the Peace Corps to send a representative here
today and that was not — I'm not sure quite why not, but it was not
doable or not convenient.
We have the distinguished Director of Central Intelligence, John
Deutch. We have a group of distinguished journalists. As I said,
Mr. Anderson, who was kept by terrorists for some 6 years between
1985 and 1991 because they thought he was a spy, a CIA spy. We
have the distinguished journalist from Nightline, Mr. Ted Koppel
of ABC News; Ken Adelman, who has had extensive governmental
experience, is now a columnist for the Washington Times; and
Chairman and editor-in-chief of U.S. News and World Report, Mort
Zuckerman.
Then we have a panel of Dr. Don Argue, president of the Na-
tional Association of Evangelicals; to be accompanied by Mr. John
Orme, executive director of the International Foreign Mission Asso-
ciation; Sister Claudette LaVerdiere, president of Maryknoll Sis-
ters; and Dr. Rodney Page, deputy secretary general for the Church
World Service and Witness Unit of the National Council of Church-
es.
We start with our distinguished colleague. Senator Coverdell,
after we have a statement by Senator Kerrey, our Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman Kerrey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, I just have two very brief observations. The first is
that I'm very uncomfortable with any public discussion of U.S. in-
telligence sources and methods. I recognize that our committee did
not create this topic as a public issue — that's it's been a matter of
great concern not only to the media, but also the House Intel-
ligence Committee. Not this committee — and that much of what
we're doing is in response to their concern as well as a provision
on this topic, that was placed in the House Authorization bill.
Nonetheless, I don't see how public discussion of which Ameri-
cans are or are not authorized to be helpful to their country as in-
telligence assets will improve the quality of U.S. intelligence. Much
of the discussion that we just had with the Department of Defense
centered on why didn't we know. Why weren't we able to fmd out
what terrorists had in mind in regards to Americans deployed in
Saudi Arabia? How come we weren't able to fmd out? Well, that is
not likely — those questions are not likely to be answered as a con-
sequence of us reading the morning newspaper or watching the
evening news or going down to the Saudi Arabia Chamber of Com-
merce and having a discussion about what's going on.
Second, I may risk being politically incorrect in saying so, but I
simply don't see why any profession should be completely and per-
manently excluded from the possibility of working with CIA or
DIA. The determining factors should be the situation, and then the
willingness of the individual. If lives are at risk or a vital national
interest is at risk, I don't see why any American patriot should be
forbidden to cooperate with an Ainerican intelligence agency. As I
understand Director Deutch's policy I support it.
We have some very convincing people as witnesses today, but I
must say, Mr. Chairman, it will be hard to move me from my
present viewpoint.
Chairman SPECTER. Thank you very much, Senator Kerrey.
Senator Glenn, would you care to make an opening comment?
Senator Glenn. I don't have a formal opening statement, Mr.
Chairman. I think these hearings are very appropriate now, be-
cause we're, in a way, we're into a new day of new kinds of warfare
internationally. We're into international terrorism and so on. You
can't send satellites over and all at once pick up what's going on.
We're into a time when human intelligence is going to be more im-
portant than I think it's been for a long, long time, and that's the
toughest kind to develop. I guess having said that I see it as an
individual choice. I sort of agree with what Senator Kerrey said
that I wouldn't rule it in or out. If people feel they have informa-
tion that's going to save lives or the Intelligence Community thinks
that we need to learn a little more — that this particular person, be
he or she clergy, journalists, or whatever, they want to approach
somebody, and if that person is willing — they don't have to any
more than Senators have to or anybody else. But leave it open as
an individual choice as to the importance of it and how the individ-
uals feel. But just have a policy that says we will under no cir-
cumstances, no how, no way even think of talking to the clergy or
those associated with religious groups overseas or journalists, I
think that would be a wrong policy, too. Because we're into a tough
time for human intelligence, as I'm sure Director Deutch will com-
ment upon in a few minutes. So I agree with the statement Senator
Kerrey just made.
Thank you very much.
Chairman Specter. Thank you. Senator Glenn. We now turn to
our distinguished colleague, Senator Paul Coverdell of Georgia.
STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE PAUL COVERDELL, A
U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA
Senator Coverdell. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity
to be here. I don't know what the decision apparatus was at the
Peace Corps, other than that their director is in the Dominican Re-
public and that that may have related to their decision not to be
here.
Let me say as forcefully as I know how that I would hope that
the committee could conclusively set the Peace Corps aside as
quickly as possible from this discussion. This issue was debated ex-
tensively by the founding apparatus, very carefully thought
through and I think resolved in an appropriate way. It would be,
in my judgment, exceedingly dangerous for our volunteers to be in-
cluded in a context in which they may be representatives of the
CIA. We have operating documents between the State Department,
CIA and the Peace Corps outlining this policy. I think it's been pru-
dently dealt with.
A director, for example, or employee and their principals, if they
were ever operatives of the CIA, they're not eligible to be director
of the U.S. Peace Corps. If there is an intelligence background for
the previous 10 years, it would pre-empt you. I think it is a sound
policy.
By way of background, I was Director of the Peace Corps for the
majority of the Bush Presidency, from its inception to near it's end.
I was Director of the Peace Corps at the time we were entering
Eastern Europe in unprecedented numbers. Even 35 years later, as
Director, I was confronted with assurances over and over that this
was not an intelligence apparatus.
I remember vividly meeting the Solidarity Vice Minister of Edu-
cation on a cold, rainy day in Warsaw. It was in the building that
had been left by the Germans. It was the Gestapo headquarters,
of all places. About half way through the presentation, he said I
hope you will forgive me, but I am ordered to ask you this question.
Are these volunteers associated with the CIA? And I could very
comfortably say, no, they are not.
You would raise the doubt across the entire corps just by this
kind of discussion. And you put at risk the Corps. We lost a volun-
teer in a program that I opened in Bolivia simply because there
was a mistaken view that the woman was associated with the
DEA. This is a life and death matter here.
I think the current policy is appropriate. I think — I understand
the public discussion. But I remain gravely concerned about it and
would hope that a resolution could come quickly in the public dis-
course, and that there would be a ratification of the contemporary
policy, for the credibility of the Corps, the years that have been in-
vested in achieving this credibility, and for the safety of the Corps.
I feel very strongly about it. I've confronted it repeatedly.
As you may or may not know, the Peace Corps has even sepa-
rated from the normal compound. It has its own facility, to rein-
force these policies. It is long standing, it has worked well for us,
and I can see no achievement that would be accomplished that
could not be done through other apparatus and options. So I have
no doubt about this in my mind.
I understand, you know, you are always going to have debate
about important questions such as this, but it would be wrong
headed to change the policy.
Mr. Chairman, I would be glad to respond to any questions that
any of you have.
Chairman Specter. Just a question or two. Senator Coverdell.
You have referred to the current poUcy with respect to the Peace
Corps. I think it would be useful if you would state it specifically
for the record.
Senator Coverdell. It is embraced in a letter of April 2, 1984,
which I have in part — I can get the entire letter for you. But I
would read the salient provisions. Under eligibility
Chairman SPECTER. Let us turn on the clock. I should have
started it earlier. Five minutes per round. Should have started it
for witnesses and Senators. But we will try to limit the comments
of Senators to 5 minutes, and opening statements to 5 minutes to
leave the maximum amount of time for Q&A.
Senator Coverdell. All right, Mr. Chairman. It says, permanent
ineligibility. Persons currently or formerly employed by the Central
Intelligence Agency shall be permanently ineligible for Peace Corps
volunteer service or employment by the Peace Corps.
Now ineligibility for a minimum of 10 years. Any person who has
been employed by an agency or division of an agency other than
the Central Intelligence Agency, a substantial part of whose mis-
sion has been determined by the Peace Corps General Counsel to
include intelligence activities shall be ineligible for service as a vol-
unteer or for employment for a period of 10 years from the last
date of employment by such agency.
Ineligibility for a period in excess of 10 years. Individuals may be
ineligible for service or employment for a period in excess of 10
years where the General Counsel determines that their background
or work history with regard to intelligence activities warrants such
action.
Related work. Applicants for Peace Corps volunteer service or
employment whose background or work history discloses a substan-
tial connection with an intelligence activity or related work, other
than through employment, shall be ineligible to serve as Peace
Corps volunteers or as employees of the Peace Corps for a period
of time ordinarily not to exceed 10 years from the date of their last
connection with the agency or Activity.
And it goes on, but I think
Chairman SPECTER. I see, that's the core. Thank you. Senator
Coverdell.
There is a contention, and we have Director Deutch's prepared
comments, so we see that he has crafted what he is proposing is
a very, very limited exception to the prohibition, and that limited
exception arises, as he articulates it, in two situations: saving the
lives of hostages or information which would suggest a terrorist use
of weapons of mass destruction or great risk to American citizens
or the lives of others.
Would you consider any exceptions to the prohibition you have
articulated?
Senator Coverdell. No, because once you establish the excep-
tion, it is in the mind of the host country from that point forward,
of the potential of it. I just feel that given the size of our Intel-
ligence Community and the assets the United States have, it can
operate apart from embroiling this Agency and the people there,
and I think putting them at great risk.
Chairman Specter. Does the prohibition you have articulated
serve to protect Peace Corps volunteers from suspicion of being FBI
agents as a practical matter?
Senator Coverdell. Absolutely. It is designed to reinforce our
contention from day one that those volunteers are there in a capac-
ity of assistance and mutual understanding and they are not part
of an Intelligence Community.
When the Peace Corps was first founded, of course this was an
enormous obstacle to overcome, and it has remained so. To the
credit of the Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency and the
Intelligence Community, we have mutually been able to protect
these volunteers and its mission, successfully, with a few limita-
tions.
You know, these are people without assets. They are in — it's a
very difficult situation we would be putting these Americans in if
we were to violate it. Violate it on one point and you have done it
across the board.
Chairman Specter. Senator Coverdell, we very much appreciate
your joining us. Thank you very much for your testimony.
Senator Coverdell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Specter. I would like now to call the distinguished
Director of Central Intelligences the Honorable John Deutch.
Welcome, Director Deutch. We appreciate your coming again
today. We again commend you for your distinguished service as Di-
rector of Central Intelligence, and look forward to your comments.
STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE JOHN M. DEUTCH,
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
Director Deutch. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I appear this morning at your request to explain the policy of the
Central Intelligence Agency concerning the possible use of Amer-
ican journalists, American clergy, or Peace Corps members.
As you know, Mr. Chairman, I am uneasy discussing potential
intelligence sources in a public session, but I am in a position to
make some general statements on this very sensitive issue.
Simply put, the Central Intelligence Agency policy is not to use
journalists accredited to American news organizations, their parent
organizations, American clergy or the Peace Corps for intelligence
purposes. This includes any use of such organizations for cover.
The policy that I have just stated, Mr. Chairman, has been in place
for 20 years.
Recently — 19 years, more precisely. Recently, at the request of
this committee, I reviewed the policy to determine whether it was
both appropriate and sufficiently circumscribed. As I told you, Mr.
Chairman, and this committee, when this issue was raised with
me, my sympathy is on the side of the no intelligence use of Amer-
ican journalists or clergy. I strongly believe in the independence of
our free press and the division between the Government and the
church. That is why I have stated publicly that I have no intention
of using either American journalists or clergy for intelligence pur-
poses.
Further, as the committee knows, I have found no circumstances
while I am Director of Central Intelligence, that have caused me
to do either. But, Mr. Chairman, as the Director of Central Intel-
ligence, I must be in a position to assure the President and the
members of the National Security Council and this country, that
there will never come a time when the United States cannot ask
a witting citizen, knowledgeable citizen, to assist in combating an
extreme threat to the Nation. So I, like all of my predecessors for
the last 19 years, have arrived at the conclusion that the Agency
should not be prohibited from considering the use of American jour-
nalists or clergy in exceptional circumstances.
I am able to imagine circumstances, Mr. Chairman, in which the
lives of American hostages depend upon particular knowledge only
a journalist might have or obtain. I can foresee the possibility of
a terrorist group attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction
in a crowded urban area, where both the President and the Nation
would look to the Agency to use all possible measures, all possible
means, to detect and deter such an event.
Under either of these scenarios, I believe it is unreasonable to
foreclose the Central Intelligence Agency asking an American citi-
zen, with their knowledge, to help be a source of information.
Now, critics of this decision might well say that these are far
fetched examples in which the possible confluence of highly improb-
ably circumstances is fanciful when weighed across the possible
suspicion that it puts clergy and journalists. Peace Corps volun-
teers, who are abroad at risk. Unfortunately, recent history has
shown that the threat in these scenarios is very real. I do not be-
lieve that as Director of Central Intelligence I can gamble that fu-
ture sources of critical information will come only from predictable
sources. Nothing in my 14 months in this job supports that kind
of judgment.
Having decided that I should allow the possibility of exceptional
waivers, I looked carefully at your request, at the guidelines which
govern such waivers. I found them restrictive but non-specific. I
have therefore issued new policy guidelines which set out several
specific tests that must be satisfied before the Director or Deputy
Director may consider a waiver. These guidelines have been avail-
able to both Intelligence Committees. They are classified and I am
available to discuss them in any detail the committee may wish, in
closed session.
But I want to state that the guidelines require prompt as well
as periodic notification of the Intelligence Committee in those ex-
traordinary circumstances when an exemption to the policy might
be granted.
Let me repeat, these guidelines allow for the possibility of a
waiver, but they do not compel or encourage such waivers. I have
not changed my view that it would take extremely rare, indeed
highly improbable circumstances, to change my predilection against
any waiver of our policy not to use journalists, not to use clergy,
for intelligence purposes.
There is one other aspect of this question that deserves comment
in this public session, which is who ought to be the official en-
trusted with the responsibility of deciding whether to waive this
policy. I considered whether the President ought to be the
decisionmaker. In the end, we decided such decisions should re-
main with the Director. The Director is the official entrusted with
running intelligence operations. The Director ought to be respon-
8
sible for this operational, albeit extremely important decision, in
those rare situations where it might be contemplated. If the Direc-
tor fails to, give the matter proper attention or judgment, the Di-
rector can be overruled or fired by his boss, the President.
Let me return for a moment to the Peace Corps. Here, too, our
policy is not to use Peace Corps personnel for intelligence purposes.
This has not changed, and here any waiver could occur under even
more circumscribed circumstances.
Last, I would like to close by commenting on the Richardson
amendment adopted by the House. The Richardson amendment re-
quires that the President decide any waiver on the intelligence use
of an American journalist. I have said, as I believe this gives the
President greater flexibility to overrule judgments if this decision
rests with the Director. The Richardson amendment also excludes
cases of voluntary cooperation between the Agency and a particular
journalist. This is important, because we would never contemplate
a relationship — never contemplate a relationship without the
witting and willing cooperation of the individual involved.
Mr. Chairman, this completes my statement. I am happy to an-
swer any questions you may have that are appropriate in a public
hearing, and of course, I will be pleased to provide any additional
details you may wish in closed session.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Specter. Thank you. Director Deutch.
We shall proceed — pursue the issue of the guidelines in closed
session. If any question arises in this open session which you would
prefer to defer to a closed session, please feel free to do that.
The statute which was adopted by the House last month by an
overwhelming vote of 417 to 6, provides that, an element of the In-
telligence Community may not use as an agent or asset for the pur-
poses of collecting information any individual who. No. 1, is author-
ized by contract or by issuance of press credentials to represent
himself or herself either in the United States or abroad as a cor-
respondent of the U.S. news media organization, or is officially rec-
ognized by a foreign government as a representative of a U.S.
media organization, and the Richardson amendment, which you
have referred to, proposes to — and this was enacted, strike an ele-
ment of and insert a policy, it is the policy of the United States and
an element of waiver, the President may waive subsection A in the
case of an individual if the President certifies in writing that the
waiver is necessary to address the overriding national security in-
terests of the United States. The certification shall be made to the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Sen-
ate.
Under subsection C, voluntary cooperation, provides that sub-
section A shall not be construed to prohibit the voluntary coopera-
tion of a person who is aware that the cooperation is being pro-
vided to an element of the United States' Intelligence Community.
This issue has not yet been considered by the U.S. Senate, and
we are looking at a House determination to lodge that authority in
the President.
Your proposal is that it be with the Director, and that is not an
assistant or any designee of the Director, but Hmited to the Direc-
tor himself, herself?
Director Deutch. Mr. Chairman, as I think you know, I believe
that big agencies require the Director and Deputy Director be
working together. The Director is frequently absent, the Deputy Di-
rector has to be in a position on all matters to act for the Director.
So if you say Director, I always mean by the Director and the Dep-
uty Director because the Deputy Director acts with authority in the
Director's absence.
Chairman Specter. Well, when the Director and Deputy Director
are absent, who acts as Acting Director?
Director Deutch. I don't think such circumstances arise suffi-
ciently frequently to consider them. There is always either the Di-
rector or the Deputy Director are present.
Chairman SPECTER. So your standard would be to exclude any
third party beyond Director or Deputy Director?
Director Deutch. That's correct.
Chairman Specter. Director Deutch, you talked about journal-
ists and clergy. Would you include in that the Peace Corps?
Director Deutch. Yes. The criteria — the conditions for Peace
Corps are slightly different but are essentially the same. As was
mentioned by Senator Coverdell, there is an additional document,
an agreement undertaken some years back which governs this.
They are essentially the same.
We do not have any case ever thinking about the use in policy
terms of an active Peace Corps volunteer. The regulations which
could be waived here concern the measures that he read about, ex-
Peace Corps volunteers, and restraints on them.
Chairman Specter. Director Deutch, you have said publicly that
you have not used any of these categories of individuals by the CIA
during your tenure and it is generally accepted that this is a very,
very unusual or extraordinary circumstance, and we do not have on
the public record nor will we put on the public record where such
usage has been made. The presumption is that it just isn't done.
Considering the infrequency and considering the sensitivity, why
not elevate this particular matter to the level of a Finding for cov-
ert action? A covert action has a very special place in the national
security laws requiring that the President make a Finding, that it
be in writing so that there is no issue as to a casualness or indirec-
tion or delegation — only by the President. The notification is given
to the Intelligence Committees of the Finding, and we have peri-
odic oversight on such covert action. In light of the sensitivity of
this issue and its infrequent use, not particularly burdensome for
the President, why not adopt the overwhelming view of the House
in leaving to the President with his waiver for an exception for ra-
tional securities which we have in so many sensitive legal matters?
Director Deutch. Well, I believe there are two compelling rea-
sons for not doing so, perhaps three. The first is that the Director
of Central Intelligence should be considered responsible for oper-
ational management of human intelligence activities of this coun-
try, the human collection activities of this country. If there is any
doubt about the ability or the judgment of the then-sitting Director
10
of Central Intelligence to make such operational judgments, that
individual should be replaced.
Second, I think it is very important to leave room between a deci-
sion that the Director takes and the President to have Executive
oversight, and should the President see the Director make a deci-
sion in this matter that should be overturned, the President can do
so, and indeed he can, on that matter, replace his Director of
Central Intelligence. I think that it is very important that one does
not have — this is independent of any Administration — one does not
have day-to-day involvement of a White House in operational mat-
ters of the Intelligence Community.
Chairman Specter. But Director Deutch, it would hardly be day-
to-day on the infrequency as we project this, and if you have the
public insurance of the respective foreign assurance that it is only
going to be done with extraordinary circumstance with the Presi-
dent himself or herself, isn't that an added protection that doesn't
place too high a burden on the President or too high a cost on oper-
ations, without really undermining the Director's authority?
Director Deutch. I believe, sir, that the President should have
a Director of Central Intelligence for whom he or she has trust in
that person's judgment, or that person should be replaced. I believe
that the President should have an ability to oversee these decisions
and come to a different conclusion should he or she so desire, and
furthermore, I do not believe that one should have the White
House under any — this is not a partisan remark, it is a remark
about the occasional and periodic — from time to time involvement
of the White House in a matter like this and in operational intel-
ligence matters is not something which I think is good. I think it
should be left to the professional organization to make the initial
judgment.
But we all understand, sir, that when that judgment is made,
there would be immediate notification of both oversight commit-
tees. There is not a question about that. So the other way of having
these decisions overseen is by immediate notification of both this
committee and the House Oversight Committee. So there is plenty
of room here to have the decision overseen by both the Legislative
and Executive branch.
Chairman Specter. Well, Director Deutch, I press you just a lit-
tle on this because this is going to be a matter to be considered by
the Senate, since it is the House provision, or would be a matter
in conference if in fact the Senate acts on this legislation. When
you talk about Presidential oversight, do you contemplate the Di-
rector informing the President of this extraordinary use of an intel-
ligence asset?
Director Deutch. I would think that the Director of Central In-
telligence would inform the President or the Vice President or the
National Security Advisor about an action which is taken like this.
Chairman SPECTER. So there would be that information?
Director Deutch. Yes.
Chairman Specter. Well, if it is of sufficient importance to in-
form the President through the National Security Administrator,
then — the National Security Counselor, then that brings the ques-
tion up as to whether — if it is going to reach him anyway, if it
shouldn't be his decision. But I have your thinking on it and I
11
think it is important to have the thinking of the Director of CIA
so the Congress can make an informed judgment.
When you talk about notification to the InteUigence Committees
of the House and Senate, the current statute has come into some
controversy as to how prompt is prompt, how soon is soon. We had
a lot of that on Iran-Contra. We had some remedial legislation in-
troduced. I did some in 1987, Senator Cohen did some, tried to set
a parameter of 24 hours. That was never enacted.
What would you contemplate in terms of notification to the Con-
gressional Oversight Committees?
Director Deutch. I would think that from decision time to notifi-
cation of the Chairman and the Ranking Members, in an instance
like this I think it would be at that level, it would be the Chairman
and the Ranking Members, 48 hours would be the goal one should
have.
Chairman Specter. Well, that is very helpful. That might even
establish a parameter for other items of notification.
Director Deutch. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Specter. Well, we appreciate your coming in, Director
Deutch, and appreciate the logic of your position, and we will pur-
sue the details of the policy in closed session.
Director DEUTCH. Thank you for your courtesy, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Specter. We appreciate your being here.
I would like now to call the third panel, in alphabetical order:
Mr. Kenneth Adelman, Mr. Terry Anderson, Mr. Ted Koppel, and
Mr. Mortimer B. Zuckerman.
[Pause.]
Mr. Adelman. Shall I begin, Mr. Chairman?
Chairman SPECTER. In a minute. I want to introduce you prop-
erly, Mr. Adelman.
Mr. Adelman. Thank you.
Chairman Specter. I worked with you when you were in the Ad-
ministration before, but I wanted to be sure I got your credits ex-
actly right, so I called for your resume.
Mr. Adelman. I'll give you 45 minutes to do so.
Chairman Specter. I can't do it in that short a time.
[General laughter.]
Chairman Specter. Mr. Adelman was director of the U.S. Arms
Control Disarmament Agency for approximately 5 years, and I had
considerable contact with him at that time on the critical questions
of arms control. He accompanied President Reagan on superpower
summits with President Mikhail Gorbachev. He had been deputy
U.S. representative to the United Nations from 1981 to 1983 with
the rank of Ambassador, second in command at that time to Am-
bassador Jean Kirkpatrick. His full resume will be included as a
part of the record. He now serves as a columnist to the Washington
Times and I think brings an unusual perspective from both govern-
ment and journalism to this important question.
Now the floor is yours, Mr. Adelman.
[The material referred to follows:]
Kenneth L. Adelman
Kenneth L. Adelman was Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament
Agency for nearly 5 years, accompanying President Reagan on his superpower sum-
mits with Mikhail Gorbachev, until leaving in December 1987. He had been Deputy
12
U.S. Representative to the United Nations (1981 to 1983) with the rank of Ambas-
sador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, second-in-command to Jeane Kirkpatrick.
Called "one of the most brilliant foreign policy minds around" by the Wall Street
Journal, Ambassador Adelman was described by Pravda as "a zoological anti-com-
munist." Moscow's Tass News Agency wrote: "Pharisaism, duplicity, and fabrication
of falsehoods is [sic] a political hallmark of Mr. Adelman."
He now pursues: (1) writing; (2) teaching; and (3) corporate consulting in the
international realm. In writing, he is a nationally s5Tidicated columnist and national
editor of Washingtonian magazine, for which he does a monthly interview entitled
"What I've Learned." Besides hundreds of articles, he has published four books —
Getting the Job Done (1992); co-authoring The Defense Revolution with Norman Au-
gustine 1990); The Great Universal Embrace (1989); and African Realities (1980),
which drew upon his 2V2 years living in Africa.
In teaching, he has a course on Shakespeare and a graduate course on national
security studies, both at Greorgetown University. He also is a featured public
speaker and frequent television commentator.
He was a founding member of the Sherlock Holmes Club in Washington; partici-
pated on the Zaire River Expedition, a 3-month voyage down the Congo River on
the 100th anniversary of Stanley's trip; and translated for Muhammad Ali during
his 1974 heavyweight bout — "the rumble in the jungle" — in Zaire.
Adelman received his B.A. from Grinnell College and both his Masters and Doc-
torate from Georgetown University. He now serves on the boards of The Princeton
Review, IPAC, Newmyer Associates, Freedom House, and the American Refugee
Committee. Along with his wife Carol and two daughters, Jessica (21) and Jocelyn
(19), he lives in Arlington, Virginia.
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1003, ArUngton, Virginia 22201. Phone: 703/527-
0028; Fax: 703/276-2673; Home: 703/525/0106.
STATEMENT OF KENNETH ADELMAN, SYNDICATED
COLUMNIST
Mr. Adelman. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. It's good to
be back with the committee. I spent many happy hours on verifica-
tion and on other important issues, worked very closely, and have
great respect for the committee.
Mr. Chairman, to allow most time for questions, I would summa-
rize my remarks in four points. Firstly, this whole controversy is
interesting in what it says about the press. In many respects, we
all work with the press, have respect for the press. But the level
of self absorption by the press is quite amazing, always.
This report by the Council on Foreign Relations — actually an
independent task force of the Council on Foreign Relations — has
important recommendations about the future of intelligence and or-
ganizations. One slight sentence that implied something about the
press became the critical sentence of this report.
When you look at this whole controversy, you realize that the
press will concentrate on whatever affects itself rather than, as I
say, the substance of the issue. I wish we would have as elaborate
a public discussion about the substance of the report than this cov-
ert issue.
No. 2
Chairman SPECTER. When you make that comment, would you
amplify that just a bit? What would you like to see discussed on
the report?
Mr. Adelman. Well, I think the parts about economic intelligence
are very interesting, the whole reorganization, the whole question
of whether there should be the kind of cut backs in the intelligence
budget that we've seen in the Pentagon, or the quality of intel-
ligence. I found — during my almost 12 years in government — that
intelligence was very good for verification of missile silos and fu-
13
ture programs coming along. It was very weak when it came to
summits, or anticipating what the Soviets were going to do at the
next round of arms talks.
At Reykjavik, which I think was one of the critical events of the
cold war, we were very surprised by what Mikhail Gorbachev did
at Reykjavik, and I don't think we should have been. There are
other instances when intelligence could have been far better.
Chairman Specter. How might we have improved that? That
was certainly a classical event, October 1986. It was of enormous
importance, really, stands out. What could intelligence have done
better there?
Mr. Adelman. There should have been some leap of creativity —
and I say that with some responsibility on my part, as well — that
the situation of the Soviet Union warranted Gorbachev doing some-
thing dramatic, rather than as we assumed to come and just say
hello. It was after the Daniloff Affair, at a time to heal the relation-
ship. All the interpretations and predictions for that summit were
understandable, but they were all dead wrong, as it turned out. It
was a wild and woolly weekend. I think it was a very productive
weekend — one that led to the decline and collapse of the Soviet
Union. It certainly was one of the great weekends of my life.
But my point is that for such an important event, intelligence
should have been better. I have always liked the idea of competi-
tion in the intelligence realm — not just having one flow of informa-
tion about what might happen on judgments coming up to top
decisionmakers. In other words, competing theories or approaches
which are all too rare in intelligence findings.
Those are the kinds of things the committee should really con-
centrate on. But one little sentence that doesn't even mention jour-
nalists in the Council on Foreign Relations report evokes this hear-
ing and previous hearings and three or four editorials in the Wash-
ington Post, etc., etc.
My second point is that this should be a non-issue. I agree that
the current policy of the Government is just fine. I think that along
with Senator Kerrey. I don't know why any group of professionals
should be exempt — whether journalists, or clergy, or even Peace
Corps members — from cooperating with the CIA if they choose to
do so. I have no problem requiring the same procedures used for
covert operations.
I listened closely to DCI Deutch, a man whom I have known for
years and have the utmost respect for. He explained why he's
against that same procedure. Yet the three reasons he gave to me
didn't seem convincing, especially in light of him saying that this
happens very, very rarely, so it wouldn't be a burden on the
Agency.
Point three is on the argument that this would taint journalists,
or endanger journalists. Journalists are already tainted and endan-
gered. When Senator Coverdell says that one of the Peace Corps
volunteers in Bolivia was apprehended because he or she was sus-
pected of being a DEA agent, that shows that no matter what your
committee does or what the President of the United States does in
denying that any journalist or clergy or Peace Corpsman will ever
be in the CIA or affiliated with the CIA, all those denials will be
laughed off, ignored, or discounted, especially by the bad guys of
14
the world. These bad guys are the ones we care most about — where
human intelUgence needs to penetrate, because of possible terrorist
attacks and weapons of mass destruction.
I see my red light is on. Let me end by saying one last thing.
Yes, American journalists are journalists. But they are also Ameri-
cans. I see no reason why they shouldn't feel some kind of civic re-
sponsibility when American lives are in danger, and feel the urge
to serve our country.
Now, I know many of them do feel that civic responsibility. They
should be allowed to act accordingly. It does not take great leaps
of imagination to come up with scenarios of weapons of mass de-
struction putting lives in danger, when they shouldn't, for a mo-
ment, step out of their role as journalists and care about our coun-
try and about saving lives.
A few years ago I interviewed Bob Woodward, who I consider one
of the finest journalists. I asked him about the Janet Cooke affair,
which was his biggest error of the Washington Post's in the last X
number of years. He said the main thing he did wrong was to think
about this only as a journalist, and never in those many discus-
sions to go out and find where Joey, the supposedly 12-year-old boy
who was on drugs, lived and whether he could be rehabilitated.
Woodward learned that he should have stepped out of his role as
editor and journalist for a moment, and showed concerned on the
human being behind the story. That was never done. Had he done
so, he would have obviously saved himself from a great error and
would have done a tremendous service for his newspaper, as well
as set a very good example of the kind of thing I am talking about
today, where American journalists serve America and help saves
American lives.
Chairman Specter. Thank you very much, Mr. Adelman.
We have been joined by Senator Kerry. Do you care to make any
comments, Mr. Kerry of Massachusetts?
Senator KERRY of Massachusetts. Well, Mr. Chairman, the only
comment I would make is to express — I understand Bob Kerrey
may have expressed this also — I am deeply concerned about a pub-
lic hearing on this subject, to be candid with you. To whatever de-
gree other governments may have questions about whether we do
this or not, those questions may be best left without an articulation
of policy. But here, it seems to me, if they weren't tainted before,
they sure as hell will be tainted afterwards. Whatever doubt or
question marks might have arisen, we sort of articulated it as a
matter of policy we may do this. Which may leave us no choice but
to suggest that there were certain areas where we shouldn't be
doing it. I tend to be one of those who feels that most intelligence
gathering can be done outside the use of certain kinds of people.
I think — I tend to agree with Senator Coverdell, that the kinds
of things we are trying to achieve with the Peace Corps would be
extraordinarily limited if people thought we were going to, as a
matter of course, potentially use them as intelligence gatherers. So
would I think the issue of clergy and others be similarly tainted
and the flow of information and our desires for it would be hin-
dered ultimately. So it may be that the salutary impact of this will
be to elicit from us a prohibition, rather than to have left it in
15
doubt as it has been up to now. But I am very uncomfortable with
the pubHc discussions, and that's all that I would say at this point.
Chairman Specter. Thank you, Senator Kerry.
We'll now turn to Mr. Terry Anderson, who had been bureau
chief for the Associated Press in the Mid East and was taken hos-
tage for a period of some 6 years, from 1985 to 1991, and we'll hear
the circumstances from you, Mr. Anderson, in your own words, as
to what the impact was of your being a journalist in the represen-
tation or concern of your being a spy, and as you said earlier in
our private discussion, a spy for the CIA.
So the floor is yours; you may proceed.
STATEMENT OF TERRY ANDERSON, JOURNALIST
Mr. Anderson. Sir, I would like to begin by saying I share Sen-
ators Kerrey's and Coverdell's concern about this public discussion
at all. It makes me uncomfortable. The damage has already been
done, I believe most prominately by Director Deutch's acknowledge-
ment that there was a Director's option, that there were exceptions
to the general rule, and that such things had happened in the past.
So the best thing that we can do, I think, is try to repair the dam-
age by a greater prohibition, without exceptions.
We are talking about a real danger. This is not imaginary. Both
as personal experience and in my duties as the Director of the com-
mittee to Protect Journalists, I know that journalists are put in
danger by the perception that they are connected to intelligence
agencies. We all know that in much of the world, the CIA is viewed
with great suspicion and distaste, and that journalists in those
same places begin with a presumption on the part of many people
that they are somehow connected with intelligence gathering.
I have been accused of being a spy, not just on the occasion of
my captivity, but on other occasions in various places. I was told
by a number of people that I was on a list of CIA agents kept by
the fundamentalist Shiites who captured me. That is a perception
that is very difficult to disprove. It's hard to argue with them. They
are very suspicious people.
On a more general sense, I would like to make a couple of points,
if I may. If we are making rules for anyone, part of the consider-
ation has to be the behavior of the people to whom the rules will
apply. If they are generally orderly, obedient, and respectful of
rules, then we can afford to make the rules somewhat less tightly
and provide for exceptions and interpretation. If they, on the other
hand have shown themselves to be disrespectful of rules and are
of a tendency to stretch exceptions, then we have to make the rules
considerably stricter and apply them more forcefully. With all due
respect Director Deutch, I would suggest that there is sufficient
evidence on the part of the CIA to put them in the second category
rather than the first.
There is no exception, no formal exception in the law, to very
many things such as speeding or burglary, although it is much
easier to conceive of circumstances that were grave enough to force
you to speed or to break into someone's house than there is around
the question of using journalists as intelligence sources. I find it
very difficult to conceive of a journalist having information of any
16
such importance to the Nation and keeping it to themselves. It's
against nature, I would think.
I would suggest to the committee that the insistence of the CIA
on a formal exception in this way, no matter how strict, in this
very public debate, to a principle they seem to accept very well,
that is journalists, clergy, and Peace Corps people are put in dan-
ger of their life by this suspicion, already does harm, that it in-
creases the perception on the part of many that when a journalist
appears in a troubled area, there is even a small possibility that
he or she is connected to espionage. I think it is dangerous and un-
necessary. I think we need an absolute and public blanket ban on
the recruiting or use of journalists, clergy, or Peace Corps workers
by any intelligence agency of the United States, and also I might
add, on the use of journalistic cover by intelligence agents.
I think the whole question is a dangerous one.
Thank you, sir.
Chairman Specter. Thank you very much, Mr. Anderson.
We now turn to Mr. Ted Koppel, well known as being the anchor
of ABC News Nightline. Mr. Koppel is a 33 year veteran of ABC
News, has been praised widely for having the in depth analysis, ap-
pearing nightly for one half hour. He has been the recipient of
many awards: 25 Emmy awards, 5 Foster-Peabody awards, 8 Du-
Pont-Columbia awards, 9 Overseas Press Club awards, and the list
goes on and on.
We welcome you here, Mr. Koppel, and it's a rare opportunity in
a question and answer session to be able to pose questions.
So the floor is yours.
STATEMENT OF TED KOPPEL, ANCHOR, "NIGHTLINE,"
ABC NEWS
Mr. Koppel. Mr. Chairman, thank you, and thank you for invit-
ing me here this morning and for this opportunity to make a few
preliminary comments.
As you no doubt expected, I am unalterably and categorically op-
posed to the notion of the CIA having the legal option of using jour-
nalism as a cover for its officers or agents. Having said that, there
are circumstances under which the Agency has, under what it per-
ceives to be the greater national interest, broken American laws in
the past, and I have no doubt that it will continue under such cir-
cumstances to do so in the future.
Pragmatism demands that we accept that as a fact of life in the
gathering of intelligence. It does not require, however, that Con-
gress sanction such illegal behavior with its own benediction or
that it facilitate the process by changing our laws.
Let me begin by giving you the perspective of someone who has
been a working journalist for more than 35 years. As things al-
ready stand, most governments, police, and intelligence agencies
around the world assume that many, if not most American journal-
ists working overseas are, at the very least sharing information
with the CIA and probably work for the Agency. Since that is the
way most of them operate, it is only natural that they assume that
we do so also.
Until now, we have been at least able to point to American law
to insist that we would be breaking the law if we worked simulta-
17
neously as journalists and intelligence operatives. It wasn't much,
but it was all we had. Occasionally we were even able to convince
people, in other countries, that Americans are curiously attached to
their laws, even when those seem to complicate the process of gov-
erning.
It will be much easier for those foreign government and agencies
if we give them yet another opportunity to assume that the United
States is, after all, just like them. It will certainly make life much
more difficult for my colleagues and me. It will also place an even
greater strain on the worn thread of credibility that exists between
American journalists and our readers and viewers if they are left
to wonder which of us are still trying to maintain some ethical and
professional standards and who among us is actually working for
U.S. intelligence.
Those of my colleagues who have devoted a lifetime striving for
fairness and objectivity in their work, who have genuinely reported
without fear or favor, will now have to settle for the assumption
that they were just maintaining their cover.
How often the CIA would actually use such cover is beside the
point. The relevant question is how often it would be assumed, both
home and abroad, that American reporters are working with a sec-
ond secret agenda.
Which brings me back to my initial point. The gathering of intel-
ligence is a difficult, dangerous, and sometimes dirty operation.
That is not my judgment. That is what we have repeatedly been
told by senior intelligence officers. It is they, including the distin-
guished current Director of Central Intelligence, who explained the
use of tainted assets by invoking the need to deal with crooks and
thugs in the interest of protecting our national security.
When, as they sometimes do, U.S. intelligence officers cir-
cumvent or even break American laws, they must reckon with the
possibility that they will one day be held to account. If their argu-
ments are persuasive, if it is true that the national interest could
not be served in any other fashion, the Congress can be expected
to be lenient and understanding. But at least everyone understands
that a line has been crossed and that there may be consequences.
If the CIA must on occasion use the role of an American journalist
to conceal one of its operatives and to protect the greater national
interest, it will do so, regardless of what is decided by Congress.
But let that continue to be in the knowledge that a free press is
being endangered and that American law is being broken.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman SPECTER. Thank you very much, Mr. Koppel.
We now turn to Mr. Mortimer B. Zuckerman, who has an ex-
traordinary resume — all the resumes will be made a part of the
record— an MBA from the Wharton School, a Master of the Law
from Harvard, University of Paris Law School, and he is chairman
and cofounder of Boston Properties, chairman and editor-in-chief of
U.S. News and World Report, and chairman of the Atlantic
Monthly, and chairman and co-publisher of the New York Daily
News.
With that background, we welcome you here and look forward to
your remarks.
Mr. Zuckerman. Thank you, Mr, Chairman.
18
[The material referred to follows:]
BIOGRAPHY
MORTIMAR B. ZUCKERMAN
Mortimer B. Zuckerman is Chairman and Co-Founder of Boston Properties, Chair-
man and Editor-in-Chief of U.S. News & World Report, Chairman of The Atlantic
Monthly, Chairman and Co-Pubhsher of New York's Daily News, Chaurman of Fast
Company, and Chairman of Apphed Graphics Technologies (AGT).
Mortimer Benjamin Zuckerman was bom on June 4, 1937 in Montreal, Quebec,
Canada. He is a graduate of McGill University, Montreal, with a First Class Honors
Degree in Economics and Political Theory (1957) and a degree in Law (1961). He
received an M.B.A. with distinction from the Wharton School, University of Penn-
sylvania (1961) and a Master of Law from Harvard University (1962). He also stud-
ied at the University of Paris Law School and the Harvard Graduate School of Busi-
ness Administration.
He currently serves as a trustee for New York University, trustee and member
of the Executive Committee of Thirteen/WNET (New York), trustee of Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute, trustee of the Institute for Advanced Study at
Princeton, member of the Harvard Medical School Board of Visitors, member of the
Chase Manhattan Corporation National Advisory Board, and member of the Univer-
sity of Maryland College of Journalism Board of Visitors. He is also a member of
the Council on Foreign Relations and of the International Institute for Strategic
Studies and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Friends of the
Rabin Medical Center and the Association for the Wellbeing of Israeli Soldiers.
Mr. Zuckerman is a former Associate Professor of City Planning at the Harvard
Graduate School of Design and former lecturer of City and Regional Planning, Yale
University. He is a past president of the Board of Trustees, Sidney Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston; past trustee, Beth Israel Hospital, Russell Sage Foundation, Ford
Hall Forum, and Museum of Science, Boston; and past chairman. Board of Visitors,
Boston University School of Medicine.
Mr. Zuckerman belongs to the Harvard Club (New York and Boston) and the
Harmonie Club (New York).
The Atlantic Monthly magazine has a circulation of 461,000 and a readership of
1,300,000 opinion leaders. U.S. News has a circulation of 2,400,000 and a readership
of 12,400,000. The New York Daily News is New York's largest newspaper, with a
daily circulation of 760,000 and a Sunday circulation of 970,000. Applied Graphics
Technologies is the largest pre-press company in America. Boston Properties is a na-
tional real estate development company.
Mr. Zuckennan is President of the America-Israel Friendship League, Chairman
of the Board of the Soviet Jewry Zionist Forum, and a member of the Board of Di-
rectors of the American Friends of the Rabin Medical Center.
STATEMENT OF MORTIMER B. ZUCKERMAN, CHAIRMAN AND
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT
Mr. Zuckerman. I would like to refer to the subject by recount-
ing the specific experience which in a sense was brought up by Ken
Adelman, namely the Daniloff case approximately 10 years ago.
Nick Daniloff, at the end of his tour of duty as the Moscow Bureau
Chief of U.S. News was meeting one of his sources, a man by the
name of Misha, who asked Nick if he would bring to him Stephen
King novels as his farewell present. When they met in some
wooded area in Moscow, Misha gave to Nick a package as an ex-
change gift and immediately disappeared. Nick was immediately
surrounded by the KGB, and in this package there were a series
of pictures which in fact had previously been sent in to U.S. News
a year earlier for publication, and which we found, frankly,
uninteresting, to the point that we didn't publish them.
Nevertheless, he was accused of being an intelligence agent for
the CIA.
19
It turned out, however, that there was even more to the story
than even this particularly outrageous incident, because on an ear-
lier occasion somebody had deposited a package in Nick Daniloff s
mailbox, and asked that he turn this over to the American ambas-
sador, which he did. Within that package there was yet another
package to be given over to the CIA Station Chief, and within that
package there was some material which was considered to be im-
portant for the intelligence interests of the United States.
They asked Nick who might have given him this package. When
he mentioned the name of somebody who had the wonderful name
of Father Potemkin, a name that apparently did not even raise any
hackles or any suspicions. Nonetheless, the CIA then tried to con-
tact Father Potemkin, and used Nick DanilofPs name in the proc-
ess, so that in one sense his name was now being associated with
activity on the part of the intelligence services.
I mention this because I think, if I understand this correctly, this
may very well have been inconsistent with the guidelines of the
CIA for the use of journalists, and I think it gives an example of
the degree to which journalists are exposed in the greater interests
of the intelligence interests of the United States.
I do not wish to suggest that these intelligence interests are not
serious or substantial or legitimate. But obviously there are an-
other set of interests which are equally serious, substantial and le-
gitimate. So whatever gains may be justified and whatever grounds
may be used to justify intelligence work by the press in whatever
form this may take, it seems to me that these gains must still be
assessed in the context of what they do to the press as an institu-
tion of a free society. The central role of journalism is that of a con-
stitutional check on government and not as an instrument of gov-
ernment. I think the notion of trust and confidence in the press
and their objectivity as seen by their readership is critical.
Any association, it seems to me, with a government agency, or
particularly with intelligence services, undermines the credibility
and the greater good done by independent journalists. Untainted
journalism today is likely to do more good for America, it seems to
me, than anything that the occasional journalist acting as an intel-
ligence agent might accomplish for intelligence purposes. The inde-
pendence of journalists and journalism is a precious national re-
source, and it is in its independence from government that journal-
ism renders to government its greatest service.
So I would share in the conclusion that these prohibitions must
be, if anything, increased and made more absolute. I do not do this
frankly just on the basis of the risks that are associated with jour-
nalists serving abroad. In a sense I think there is a widespread un-
derstanding that journalists assume certain risks when they do
serve abroad. I really do it because I think it undermines the very
critical and constitutionally protected role of journalism.
As I said, I think here the greatest service which journalism can
do to America is to continue to serve in this constitutionally pro-
tected independence from government. It is not enough, in my judg-
ment, to say that if an individual consents, that is, if he is witting,
that he therefore should be available as a resource or asset for the
intelligence services. Because the effects of this individual's deci-
sion go way beyond what this individual may or may not be in-
20
volved with. I think it affects the role of the press, it affects the
security of the press, it affects the integrity of the press, it affects
the creditabiHty of the press and all of these, in my judgment, are
critical enough so that they should be maintained through a
greater prohibition than presently exists today.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman SPECTER. Thank you very much, Mr. Zuckerman.
The report by the Council on Foreign Relations released earlier
this year. Making Intelligence Smarter, the Future of U.S. Intel-
ligence, has brought this issue into public view, and as noted ear-
lier, produced legislation in the House of Representatives by a very
lopsided vote, 417 to 6. And it does involve the public discussion
of a very sensitive issue.
I would like to start with you, Mr. Anderson, and your comment
about your own personal reluctance to talk about the matter pub-
licly. The issue is, what kind of a judgment is to be made here? Is
it to be shoveled under the rug? Is there to be a public policy deter-
mined by Congress? You have already had the House of Represent-
atives act. The Senate may or may not act. We have the choice on
that. But we are looking at some very specific legislation in the
House. It is a matter for Intelligence Committee oversight as to
what the policy is.
And you, of course, were a major victim of being suspected of
being a spy.
How significant a problem do you think this is for journalists on
an on-going basis? I think the — there would be considerable inter-
est as to some of the details as to what you went through, what
kind of a price you paid, as a suspect journalist.
Mr. Anderson. Yes, sir.
I consider it as a very significant danger. I am not the only jour-
nalist working in the field to have had his life threatened and put
in danger by the suspicion that he or she was a spy.
Chairman Specter. How frequent is the problem, Mr. Anderson?
Mr. Anderson. Depending on who you are dealing with, I think
it is fairly frequent. You begin with the presumption on the part
of many people, for instance it is true among many of the fun-
damentalist Muslim groups that were prevalent in Lebanon during
their civil war, that all journalists were spies, and particularly
American journalists. That was just assumed.
I believe that the only course that would any — would accomplish
any great healing for the damage that has already been done would
be a restatement of a flat ban without exception. I don't think there
is anjrthing else that could help the situation right now. A state-
ment of a formal exception, no matter how hedged, no matter how
restricted, would simply be an acknowledgement to those who sus-
pect us of being spies that, yes, on occasion, you are right. And
that, I think, is a very dangerous thing.
My captors, while they treated us at times very roughly, and
there were those in our group who were subjected to torture, did
not actually torture me — they interrogated me a number of times
and quite roughly, and insisted — to give you an example of the way
their minds works, one of the questions that was put to me quite
often was, give us the name of the CIA agent within the AP that
you report to, the assumption being, of course, that there was one.
21
Of course, there isn't, never has been, and never will be. They
asked me many, many questions on the assumption that I had
some contact with intelligence. They were not satisfied for a good
long time — I am not sure they are entirely satisfied now with my
complete denial, or my attempt to explain the role of the press in
the United States.
I have had on other occasions, had loaded weapons pointed at my
head by screaming militiamen, shouting, spy, spy. I know many of
my colleagues have had the same experience.
There is no way to tell how many journalists have actually died
because of this suspicion. The CPJ keeps tracks of attacks on the
press and we relate some — I believe it was 55 last year — journalists
dying in the course of their duty. But their circumstances are gen-
erally fairly obscure and they occur in places where it is difficult
to pursue an investigation, and where there is generally no re-
course to the courts or to the police. So we don't know how many
of those more than 50 journalists died because of such suspicions.
I think most of us assume that at least some of them did.
Chairman SPECTER. Mr. Koppel, the House had its bill in its ini-
tial form was an absolute prohibition, and then an amendment was
offered which gives a national security interest exception for the
President to make a determination which is fairly frequent on some
of our public policies which we attach prohibitions to, but to make
a national security exception.
I understand your view being totally opposed to an exception, but
why not an exception on extraordinary circumstances — hostage tak-
ing, weapon of mass destruction, something that the President
would have to make a determination on personally.
Mr. Koppel. Well, first of all, Mr. Chairman, as you've heard the
Director of the CIA objects even to that kind of a modification
where it would have left, as I believe you suggested, in the form
of something equivalent to a Presidential Finding. I would have
less trouble with that. Indeed, I think you can infer what I said,
my assumption is that the CIA is going to do what the CIA has
to do under circumstances of extreme emergency. If lives are at
stake, if the national interest is genuinely threatened, then I think
that regardless of what Congress finds and regardless of what laws
are in place, that our Intelligence Community will do what it has
to do. I would simply like the reassurance of knowing that there
was a legal line in place and that those people who are violating
the law recognize that there may be consequences for that. By re-
moving those kinds of consequences, you simply create a cir-
cumstance where there is absolutely no prohibition against this
kind of thing, and we are left with the good will, the professional-
ism, the assumption that the motives of the Director and the Dep-
uty Director of the CIA are similar to — they certainly are not par-
allel to or equivalent to those of a country that believes in a free
press.
Chairman Specter. Well, you pose an interesting conclusion to
official action even in the face of a prohibition, that they will do
what they have to do even if it violates the law.
Mr. Koppel. Well, basically isn't that what a Finding is. Sen-
ator? I mean, it gives the President and only the President, as I
understand it, the ability to say to the Intelligence Community and
22
to pass on to the Senate and the Congress, his opinion that the na-
tional interest of the United States is so in jeopardy that it war-
rants bending the law, breaking the law. All I am saying is keep
the law in place and make it at that rare an occurrence. I don't like
the idea of this being done at the convenience of the Director of the
CIA or the Deputy Director of the CIA. Force them to go to the
trouble of bothering the President with it. I guarantee you then
they are not going to be doing it every day.
Chairman Specter. Well, I understand more fully what you
mean. I had thought you had said that the law would be violated.
But the law is not bent or broken when the President makes a
Finding. That is a legal exception under very tight guidelines.
Mr. KOPPEL. That is exactly right, sir.
Chairman Specter. So when that is done, the law is being ob-
served.
Mr. KopPEL. That is exactly right. But it would preclude the CIA
or any intelligence agency doing this on its own.
Chairman Specter. Well, we prize ourself very, very highly of
being a nation of laws, and laws that cannot be violated even by
the President. We have precedent for that with the Supreme Court
having said so. The President himself is another citizen when it
comes to this
Mr. KopPEL. With all due respect, sir, we also have precedent for
the intelligence agencies of the United States routinely violating
laws and simply assuming that they won't be held to account. All
too frequently, I am afraid, they are quite right.
Chairman Specter. Well, I think that is because they are not de-
tected. It is not because they are not held to account; they are not
detected. The hard part is to find out about it. The toughest thing
to do is to find the facts. Find the facts, then there is less problem
of agreeing on what the appropriate policy is if we can find the
facts. But finding the facts is very, very hard, and that is a matter
of congressional oversight. And we do too little of it.
We did a job in this room of what happened at Ruby Ridge when
we found the facts, and had some very fundamental changes by the
FBI itself on the use of force in a constitutional context. This is a
matter of great public concern, that we really ought to thrash out
and decide what we want to do in a very deliberative way, without
just delegating it, lock, stock, and barrel to the CIA Director, how-
ever much we may approve of the current one on an informal basis.
It's a matter of great public policy.
So the essence of your conclusion, Mr. Koppel, is that that would
be a satisfactory conclusion to make it formalistic, the President
has to make a Finding, it has got to be in writing, which requires
deliberation and then notification to the Oversight Committees for
this rare occurrence.
Mr. Koppel. I am reluctant to agree totally with you. Senator,
while I can understand that you inferred that from my remarks.
My preference is that the law simply remain in place and if the law
currently gives the President the capacity to override with a Find-
ing of some kind, then I am afraid that is going to have to be ac-
ceptable under extraordinary circumstances.
23
Chairman SPECTER. Mr. Koppel, we have no statute which gov-
erns this matter. It is up to the policy of the CIA Director as to
what he will do and what his judgment requires.
Mr. Koppel. I think that would be unacceptable, sir.
Chairman Specter. Well, that is the current status of the law.
That is why the House has acted on the matter and that is why
we are considering it.
Mr. Zuckerman, you articulate the constitutional check on gov-
ernment on the independence of a free press, and while you do not
cite first amendment guarantees as something which would be
broad enough to exempt the media, and of course, the most famous
statement is Jefferson's, he would prefer a government — he would
prefer newspapers without government than government without
newspapers.
Do you think that the current state of the law inhibits news cov-
erage? Is it a problem, the coverage of news around the world?
Mr. Zuckerman. Well, I think if, as we have all discussed here,
it is now understood that there are circumstances under which the
press may be used or involved in intelligence work, and as I tried
to cite from the personal experience of U.S. News, we've seen
where that has been invoked, it seems to me that you do have a
constant inhibition on the ability of the press abroad to serve its
function, to bring, as Ted said, without fear of favor, but frankly
to make the most probing and aggressive reporting possible. It is
too easy for government officials abroad, especially those subject to
this kind of probing, to be able to dismiss these people as being,
in a sense, intelligence agents.
So I think you have a balancing of interests, and I would argue
that the value that is served by having a press that is untainted
by any possible association with intelligence, who bring back day
after day, week after week, and year after year, as much unvar-
nished reporting as they possibly can, something that I believe
would be inhibited by the possibility that there may be some asso-
ciation with an intelligence service. I think that value, particularly
if you put it in the context of the unique role of the press in our
society, both legally and publicly, and I think that value justifies
the elimination of those circumstances, rare though they may be,
of where the press may be involved.
There are two national interests in a sense involved, and I think
the on-going, day-to-day, week-to-week, year-to-year role of the
press abroad, in terms of what it brings back to this country in the
way of knowledge and intelligence made available to its readers, to
its viewers, and made available without qualification, without any
sense on the part of the public that they may be involved in some
way in a government mind set, and particularly as they do their
reporting abroad, whatever inhibitions the possibility of their asso-
ciation with intelligence services may present, if those inhibitions
could be eliminated by an absolute prohibition, I frankly think it
would serve this country's interests better by having this unfet-
tered role of the press to bring back this information than preserv-
ing any suspicion and taint, even though it may be unique to very
particular circumstances, whether it be approved by the Director or
whether it be approved by the Director and by the President. I just
think that in this balance, which is what we are, it seems to me,
24
seeking here, that the balance should tilt in favor of the day-to-day,
week-to-week, year-to-year reporting role for the press abroad, and
bringing that information, knowledge, and news back to this coun-
try.
Chairman Specter. So you would argue for no exception at all,
not even by a Presidential Finding on a showing of national secu-
rity interest.
Mr. ZUCKERMAN. That is correct.
Chairman SPECTER. You have seen, in your capacity as the lead-
er of a major news organization, that it is a substantial inhibiting
factor on news coverage and informing the American people and
the people of the world as to what is going on.
Mr. ZuCKERMAN. Well, I think it, as I try to illustrate with the
story of Nick Daniloff, I mean, there was a journalist who was ar-
rested, it clearly had a chilling effect, it seems to me, on the whole
journalistic community in the Soviet Union at the time. He was in-
directly involved in an association with the CIA through behavior
on the part of the CIA that contributed to, although I am sure it
wasn't the sole reason why he was, in fact, arrested, because there
was, as you know, an arrest of a Soviet spy here, Ganady Zak-
harov, and this was a really trading bait kind of situation. But the
cover, the patina of intelligence association was therefore sort of in
place on the part of the Soviet Union, and if you read George
Shultz's description of this in his autobiography, you will see how
he felt this weakened his ability to negotiate with the Soviets on
this. I do think there are certain limits that are in place as a result
of the possibility that there may be an association between the
press and the intelligence services of the United States.
As I say, yes, there will be individual and specific situations
where the press may be uniquely helpful in a particular situation,
but I think there is a cost to that. It is not just the cost to the per-
sonal security and lives of journalists. Virtually every journalist
who has been arrested, every American journalist who has been ar-
rested over the last 50 years, has been arrested on the grounds
that somehow or other, he was involved in intelligence for the Unit-
ed States. It just seems to me that there is a much greater value
to having the greatest degree of flexibility and freedom on the part
of the press as it serves abroad to bring back whatever they can
in the way of information and knowledge. If that is going to be af-
fected on a day-to-day, week-to-week, year-to-year basis, which I
believe it is, I think there is a value to eliminating that inhibition
and that limitation even though I recognize that there are other
situations, unique though they may be, when the press would per-
haps have a positive role to play in a particular situation involving
national security, whether it be the kidnapping of American hos-
tages or even a situation where some terrorist organization hopes
to threaten the United States with some kind of weapon of mass
destruction.
Chairman SPECTER. Mr. Adelman, you were the defender of a
greater access to more sources. You've heard the very strong state-
ments made here. Would you settle for a law which allowed the ex-
ception, but only on a Finding with the President's direct judg-
ment?
25
Mr. Adelman. I have really no opinion. I have no opinion be-
tween the DCI's Finding and the President's Finding.
Since I am in the minority, and three gentlemen I respect very
much see this issue differently, let me comment on Terry Anderson,
who served so nobly and is a personal hero of mine. Nonetheless
he is caught in a massive contradiction. For he was apprehended
and held because of alleged association with the CIA, although it
was not true. There was nothing that he could have done to explain
that he was not working with the CIA. Journalism is inherently a
dangerous profession. Everybody who goes into journalism knows
that very well. There is no way to prevent journalists from seeming
to be tainted.
Terry Anderson makes the very good point that his captors have
strange minds and see the world in bizarre ways. If that is true,
they are not going to know the distinction between the DCI's Find-
ing, the President's Finding. They don't follow the New York Times
carefully on a day-to-day basis.
When Ted Koppel — who I really think is wonderful, as does most
of America — says the CIA routinely violates the laws and is not
held accountable, I think he is in a time warp. That was a problem
in the 70's. I do not think it was a problem after that. My experi-
ence in government has been that the CIA is, if anything these
days, because of the revelations of the 70's, too timid and too cau-
tious, rather than too bold.
And, with all due respect, I find Ted's argument quite perplexing,
that the CIA will violate the laws. He would like to have a law pro-
hibiting any kind of association, obviously, between journalists and
the CIA. Therefore, if you need to act in the kind of scenarios I was
talking about, involving hostage whereabouts, or nuclear devices,
he would say, "Well, the CIA will break the law."
I don't want a system, and certainly, Mr. Chairman, I know that
you don't, where to do a reasonable, rational thing requires break-
ing a law. There is something wrong with our system if that's the
recommended course.
Finally, let me say that when Ted says that he worries about his
reader's and viewer's respect — and that is indeed something to
worry about — every opinion poll of public respect has journalism
among the lowest, and CIA among the top. So I think that — accord-
ing to the American people, the CIA is a very respected organiza-
tion, even with its problems, while journalism is not. So maybe Ted
Kopple's profession would be helped and not tainted by associating
with the CIA.
Last, Mort Zuckerman, when he talks about the Daniloff case, it
is a perfect illustration again of my point. When he mentions that
a journalist has been arrested because of suspicion of his link with
the CIA, that suspicion will always exist regardless of what laws
or exceptions happen right here. Ted is absolutely right when he
says most foreign countries don't have this prohibition. I don't
think any country has the prohibition that we are talking about
here. So the wide suspicion is that journalists will work for their
intelligence agencies and many of them do, including among our
European allies.
So that is the way the world works. I think that to create a situ-
ation where we have to break the law to protect American lives or
26
to protect cities or stop weapons of mass destruction, would be a
terrible conclusion to this debate.
Chairman SPECTER. Mr. Koppel, would you care to reply?
Mr. Koppel. Yes, sure.
First of all, why don't we go all the way, then. Why don't we sim-
ply enlist all American foreign correspondents overseas with the
CIA and be done with the nonsense of assuming that we had noth-
ing to do with one another. It seems to me that the great paradox
that is inherent here is that people overseas, because we gather so
much information, because, in fact, journalists are in the intel-
ligence gathering business, and because we distribute it so widely,
because we tell everybody exactly what we know back here in the
United States, we share with our consumer, including the CIA, ev-
erything we know, sometimes more than we know. Because of that,
the assumption is that we are somehow connected with intelligence
agencies overseas. It's only back here in the United States that the
assumption is made by the intelligence agencies themselves that if
only somehow they could get us to work for them, there is more
information that we are somehow keeping to ourselves, that we
share only — I don't know with whom, you know, perhaps with our
managers, perhaps with our wives and sweethearts — that if only
they could get us to work for them, they would have more informa-
tion. I am not all together sure sometimes what it is that my friend
Mr. Adelman thinks we are protecting back here, if not those as-
pects of the United States that are totally different from other
countries. Among them the kinds of protections that people are
given when they have been arrested; among them the kind of — and
I realize it is difficult to use the term purity in connection with
anyone engaged with the business of journalism, but the sort of
perceived purity that exists at least in terms of what our freedoms
are.
Among those freedoms is that we not be connected with the Gov-
ernment. I think it really will have an adverse affect on the way
that our consumers, our readers, our viewers, perceive what we
say, if the assumption has to be made that some or all of us are
working for the Government at any time. That is not my job.
Chairman Specter. Mr. Zuckerman, do you care to reply to what
Mr. Adelman said?
Mr. Zuckerman. Yes. I think just to comment on his reference
again to Nick Daniloff. I think the reason why Nick Daniloff got
involved with the KGB was the fact that they had a previous con-
nection between him and the Central Intelligence Agency in which
Mr. Daniloff was, in the narrow sense of the word, unwitting. So
I think, in fact, CIA did involve Nick Daniloff in a way that may
very well be precluded by the rigorous application, even of the
present law.
But again, I would like to just say that, to follow on what Ted
Koppel says, I think journalists who are working abroad as report-
ers are trying to bring back as much information as they can, and
I think that is the role they serve, and it is an important role. I
think we see the degree to which this country, in the event of a
major crisis, watches the news media or reads the news media to
realize how important that is.
27
I think anything that inhibits that sort of regular flow in the or-
dinary course of work of a journalist, is a real limitation on its role
and its value to this society as a particular source, at least of inde-
pendent information. I do recognize that there are situations such
as the ones you mentioned, where there is, as I say, a hostage situ-
ation or even the possibility of a terrorist act of one kind or an-
other, where, if the journalist happens to have a particularly
unique knowledge or access, there is some value to having him in-
volved. But if you do that and you do not have the absolute prohibi-
tion given what it seem to me has transpired both publicly and
given the attitudes that are prevalent around the world, not that
all of them are going to be eliminated by anything that is said or
done in this country, but I do think it would contribute in many
places and in many ways to a greater access of American media
abroad to what they have to do, which is to report and to ferret
out information and to send that information back, without any
sense on the part of the countries where they are serving that in
fact they may be involved with the CIA, and obviously back here
as well.
So I have to tradeoff two values and I come out in favor of the
continuing use of the press as a resource to provide independent
information to the American public. That is their role in this soci-
ety and I think it would — not to be totally compromised, but may
very well be compromised in certain ways under those cir-
cumstances, and I would rather eliminate that possibility and have
them serve that day-to-day, year-to-year function, even though in
some other individual situations, they may not be able to be used
where they may be useful.
Chairman Specter. Mr. Anderson, I see you seeking an oppor-
tunity to reply.
Mr. Anderson. Yes, sir.
I would ask Mr. Adelman that because there is widespread sus-
picion in some areas that journalists are involved in espionage,
why do we have to increase that suspicion with a formal provision
for circumstances in which it might be true. We should be working
to reduce the suspicion, which all journalists do, not increase it. Be-
cause there are circumstances which we can all easily conceive of
in which it might be necessary to break into someone's house, do
we need to formally provide for those circumstances in the law that
says burglary is illegal. I don't believe so.
We cannot under — in any way limit the choice of an individual,
no matter what his profession or his ethical standards, to provide
information in circumstances that seem necessary to him. That's
not really an issue here. I don't think any journalist who really and
truly believed that lives were at stake or that there was great dan-
ger to the country would keep such information to himself. He
might choose to make it generally public, or he might choose to
pass it on to someone who could act on it, but it would certainly
not remain a secret.
What we are concerned with is the acts of the CIA. We are con-
cerned with their understandable but eager search for information
in all circumstances and from all people, and for the possibility
that they might provide their own agents, professional agents, with
cover as professional journalists, which has happened in the past.
28
I believe we are all aware of that. We don't want CIA to do any-
thing to increase the danger to us, and we don't want to allow the
CIA to believe that there are any circumstances in which they may
legally contemplate that, even though we acknowledge that they
probably will.
Chairman Specter. Do you want a short sur-rebuttal, Mr.
Adelman?
Mr. Adelman. Yes, I will be short.
Of course we have procedures for burglary when it's for law en-
forcement. That is guaranteed by the Constitution in our search
and seizure procedures. That's a perfect illustration of what I'm
talking about. There may be an overriding reason, and a court pro-
cedure to do that.
When Ted Koppel says he doesn't know of any information that
journalists keep, most of the time that is absolutely true. But there
are, in Ben Bradlee's book, cases where a journalist finds some-
thing that is very sensitive that would do more damage than con-
tribute and so he holds the information. We would hope that most
journalists do that. If they knew the start of the Gulf War, for ex-
ample, it was better just to hold that information for 12 hours and
not go broadcasting that because it would certainly help the enemy.
Let me say I am not talking about signing up every journalist.
I am talking about a situation where the CIA gives direction to
somebody that could be extremely helpful. I'll give you a clear ex-
ample. When Terry Anderson was being held hostage, if the CIA
knew that he were alive he would most probably be in one of two
places. And if a journalist was in good contact with the captors or
those close to the captors, and this was a critical piece of informa-
tion that they really couldn't get elsewhere, whether Terry Ander-
son was alive, I see nothing wrong with the CIA station chief talk-
ing to the journalist. He'd say, "Listen to my situation, I want to
know one simple fact. Is Terry Anderson alive? I don't know how
you get that information, maybe ask to interview him, maybe by
talking afterwards, whatever it is. But I need that information and
I can save his life by knowing that." Do I think that's wrong? No.
I think it's absolutely fine, in fact noble.
Chairman Specter. Well, I think it's been a very useful discus-
sion. I have two final questions, which I think lend themselves to
a yes or no, but I don't like any imposition of that, which I'll ask
Mr. Zuckerman, Mr. Koppel, and Mr. Anderson.
Do you think, if there were an absolute prohibition in American
law that the CIA could not use journalists. Peace Corps people, or
clergy, that there would be a significant improvement in their
safety that would be recognized by people around the world who
are currently suspicious? And absolute prohibition. Would it make
a big difference, Mr. Zuckerman?
Mr. Zuckerman. Yes. And increasingly over time.
Chairman Specter. Mr. Koppel?
Mr. Koppel. I think it would make some difference, but I think
it would make an even greater difference, Mr. Chairman, in terms
of our fading credibility, as Mr. Adelman points out, here in the
United States.
Chairman Specter. Would it make a big difference, Mr. Ander-
son?
29
Mr. Anderson. I believe it would make a difference. I don't know
how large. I believe that the institution of a formal exception to the
prohibition on using journalists would cause great damage.
Chairman Specter. OK.
That's the final question. That is, would there be a significant
difference as to how people around the world would treat journal-
ists, subject them to danger, if the prohibition were absolute or if
the prohibition had the limited exception of a Finding by the Presi-
dent?
Mr. Zuckerman.
Mr. Zuckerman. I think there would be some difference. Again,
these are things that are very difficult to quantify, but I think peo-
ple abroad would not be able' to see the situations in which there
is a specific exception as a result of a Presidential Finding.
Chairman Specter. Mr. Koppel, do you think it would make a
big difference if it were absolute, or the very limited exception for
the President through a Finding?
Mr. Koppel. No, sir, I really don't. I think in that respect, Mr.
Adelman is right. I think that's a distinction that's probably lost on
most observers overseas.
Chairman Specter. Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson. I have to agree to that, except I again would sug-
gest that there have been indications in the past where Presi-
dential Findings were not either clear or clearly observed.
Chairman Specter. We thank you very much, gentlemen. Thank
you very much for coming in.
Mr. Koppel. Thank you.
Chairman Specter. We appreciate your wisdom.
I'd like to call our next panel now. Dr. Don Argue, president of
the National Association of Evangelicals; accompanied by Dr. John
Orme, executive director of the International Foreign Mission Asso-
ciation; Sister Claudette LaVerdiere, president of the Maryknoll
Sisters; Dr. Rodney Page, deputy general secretary of the World
Church Services.
[Pause.]
Chairman SPECTER. We start with Dr. Don Argue, president of
the National Association of Evangelicals, a group comprised of ap-
proximately 42,500 congregations nationwide from 49 member de-
nominations and individual congregations. We welcome you here,
Dr. Argue, and look forward to your testimony.
STATEMENT OF DR. DON ARGUE, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS
Dr. Argue. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The reason I have been asked to speak first, the National Asso-
ciation of Evangelicals was one of the first associations or organiza-
tions of size to speak out regarding the issue, and you have indi-
cated already the constituency that we represent.
It is important for the committee to know that we have an un-
precedented coalition who have signed the NAE statement of con-
cern, and I would like to read that statement. It's brief. March,
1996, it was passed at our convention in Minneapolis. In the
1970's, the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of
America disclosed it had used clergy, journalists, and academics in
30
covert operations. In 1977, an intense campaign by religious groups
and civil libertarians led to rules by the CIA which prohibited it
from hiring or establishing any intelligence relationship, "with any
U.S. clergy or missionary, whether or not ordained, who is sent out
by a mission or church organization to preach, teach, heal, or pros-
elytize."
Similar rules were later adopted barring employment of journal-
ists and academics in covert operations overseas.
In 1996, the CIA Director declared that the ban on the use of
journalists would be waived on in cases of, "unique and special
threats to national security."
The CIA has thus far not clarified the possibility of a clergy loop-
hole circumventing the 1977 rules. Because lifting the ban would
jeopardize all missionaries, church, relief, community development,
and refugee assistance workers ministering in politically sensitive
areas as well as those with whom they work.
We, the undersigned, and I will read that list in a moment, urge
our sending agencies to avoid any relationship with or supply any
information to any intelligence agency or service. Such use of mis-
sionary agents for covert activities by the CIA would be unethical
and immoral.
We insist that the CIA close any loophole that allows for intel-
ligence gathering, collaboration with clergy, missionaries, and aid
workers, and agree not to pose as religious workers. We insist that
the CIA clarify and publish its policy for the protection of U.S. citi-
zens serving in ministry abroad.
We request the Executive branch of the U.S. Government and
the Select Committees on Intelligence of the Congress to cooperate
in continuing to prohibit such inappropriate collaboration. We re-
quest that, if necessary, Executive Orders of the President be is-
sued and legislation be passed by the Congress to correct this intol-
erable situation.
Signed and sponsored by the National Association of
Evangelicals, joined in signing by the Evangelical Fellowship of
Mission Agencies, Interdenominational Foreign Missions Associa-
tion, Association of Christian Schools International, Youth of the
Mission, Wythcliffe Bible Translators, U.S. Catholic Mission Asso-
ciation, MaryknoU Fathers and Brothers, Maryknoll Sisters, Office
of Social Concern.
The signers of this statement of concern represent in excess, con-
servatively speaking, of over 50,000 Americans who are working as
religious and relief persons around the world.
I would like to turn to my colleague. Dr. John Orme, to share
further if he would, please.
Chairman Specter. Dr. Orme, welcome, and you may proceed.
STATEMENT OF DR. JOHN ORME, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
INTERNATIONAL FOREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION
Dr. Orme. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also have a statement,
after which I have anecdotal experiences, should the Chair so de-
sire.
Chairman Specter. We will put your full statement in the
Record, Dr. Orme, but you are on Dr. Argue's time. Except I think
the clock just went back to start. But proceed.
31
Dr. Orme. Yes, I understand. Two minutes.
No one familiar with the world scene can doubt that the process
of rapid social change has become the most notable feature of the
latter half of the 20th century. The tremendous changes taking
place have created upheaval in economic, political, and religious
spheres. The interrelationship between ancient religions and politi-
cal disputes, intertribal warfare and ethnic warfare, complicated by
religio-political militance, makes life more complex for today's reli-
gious worker.
This is particularly problematic in Islamic countries where the
world view does not separate politics and religions. Regrettably,
terrorism and hostage-taking have become everyday concerns for
foreign missionary personnel and their families. It is in this context
that today's religious worker must attempt to minister effectively
without becoming involved in the affairs of governments. In this
context, trust and confidence are indispensable in any ministry re-
lationship. Church leaders both in the United States and abroad
have the right to expect that their religious workers speak only in
the name of God and that mutual confidence not be tainted by in-
telligence gathering, be it by innocent cooperation, by being a con-
duit for funds and, much less, by manipulation.
Today, the clergy are under suspicion in many countries because
of the wide publicity of CIA involvement with the clergy as re-
ported in the mid-70's — and this is in the Congressional Record of
December 15, 1975.
Since then, the film industry has dramatized the sensational side
of intelligence gathering. Accurate or not, the public perception
abroad of the Central Intelligence Agency is negative and preju-
dicial to the relationships of mutual confidence for foreign mission-
aries. Accurate or not, the CIA has become a symbol of intrigue,
mistrust and of American intervention.
Now, this in no way indicts the Central Intelligence Agency or
attempts to denigrate the legitimate role of intelligence-gathering
within the Federal Government. However, the church has a sepa-
rate sphere and role which must be kept separate from the influ-
ence of the affairs of State. The State, and in this case its intel-
ligence gathering function, should not attempt to use the church for
its own purposes.
The evangelical missions community, therefore, insists that the
CIA publicly close any loophole which allows for intelligence gath-
ering, collaboration with clergy, missionaries, and aid workers in
order to protect the ministry, safety, and lives of its personnel and
their families.
Chairman Specter. Thank you very much, Dr. Orme.
We now turn to Sister Claudette LaVerdiere. We have proceeded
in alphabetical order, Sister; that's what we consider to be the fair-
est.
Sister LaVerdiere has been a member of the MaryKnoll since —
well, let me just say very experienced, and has a bachelor in edu-
cation from Mary Rogers College and a master of theological stud-
ies from Catholic Theological Union.
I've learned from my wife, who is a Philadelphia councilwoman,
who never listed any dates in any of her resumes, not to do so. I've
32
even adopted it for myself recently, so I will apply it to you, Sister
LaVerdiere.
We appreciate your being here and look forward to your testi-
mony.
STATEMENT OF SISTER CLAUDETTE LaVERDIERE,
PRESIDENT, MARYKNOLL SISTERS CONGREGATION
Sister LaVerdiere. Thank you very much, Mr. Specter.
Thank you for your welcome and for this opportunity to testify.
I am Sister Claudette LaVerdiere, president of the Maryknoll Sis-
ters Congregation, a Catholic mission religious community of more
than 750 women from 21 nations around the world.
We minister to and with poor people in 30 countries in Asia, Afri-
ca, Latin America, Central Pacific, and the United States.
In my capacity as president of the congregation, I visit the sisters
in their locales and have opportunity to see firsthand the work they
do among the people and the difference they make in their lives.
I myself have worked in Kenya for 22 years.
Our sisters work in education, health, community development,
agriculture, social work, communications, and pastoral care. We
seek, in all cases, to promote the fullness of life, inspired by the
words of Jesus, "all came that they may have life and have it to
the full."
The policy of the Central Intelligence Agency involving reporters.
Peace Corps workers, and missioners in intelligence gathering is of
serious concern to us.
The policy that allows a waiver puts missioners like ourselves
and also the people with whom we work at great risk. Just as seri-
ous, it undermines the credibility of church personnel and destroys
the trust which is so essential to our ministry with poor people and
oppressed peoples everywhere. Without that basis of trust, our
whole ministry is seriously undermined and jeopardized.
So, I join my colleagues in calling for the complete ban on loop-
holes that would be possible in this policy.
After we've all had a chance to speak, I will also welcome ques-
tions. Thank you.
Chairman Specter. Thank you very much, Sister LaVerdiere.
We now turn to the Reverend Rodney I. Page, who is director of
the Church World Service and Witness. Reverend Page is an or-
dained minister in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and
has a very distinguished academic record from Drake and Texas
Christian University.
We welcome you. Dr. Page, and look forward to your testimony.
STATEMENT OF DR. RODNEY PAGE, DEPUTY GENERAL SEC-
RETARY, CHURCH WORLD SER\1CE AND WITNESS UNIT, NA-
TIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Dr. Page. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to appear before the com-
mittee today.
I am also the deputy general secretary of the National Council
of churches, which is an ecumenical organization of some 33
Protestant orthodox denominations in the United States, represent-
ing approximately 45 million people.
33
The Church World Service and Witness Unit is one of the two
program units of the Council and within it, Church World Service
operates a global relief development and refugee assistance min-
istry of the communions that work together through the National
Council of Churches. It was founded in 1946 in partnership with
local church organizations in more than 70 countries worldwide,
and supporting sustainable self help development of people which
respects the environment, we meet emergency needs and address
root causes of poverty and powerlessness.
Within the United States, Church World Service resettles refu-
gees, assists communities in responding to disasters. We have just
recently been raising money for the church burnings throughout
the country. We advocate for justice in U.S. policies which relate
to global issues, and provide educational resources and offer oppor-
tunities for communities to join a people-to-people network of
global and local caring through the participation in what is called
crockwalks.
Because of our commitment to work all over the world in areas
of great need, the staff and volunteers who work with Church
World Service and other religious relief and missionary organiza-
tions are often in danger. In fact, I have just returned from South-
east Asia, and then Cambodia, I was in northern Cambodia in
Batdambang, and the week after I left there a two star general and
his 14 aids were murdered by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. We
operate along the Burma-Thai border refugee camps supplying food
to those camps, and often times our drivers are murdered and aid
workers are taken into hostage situations.
They go willingly to places where natural disaster, famine, and
war cause desperate need and threaten personal security. Often
they overtake these missions in partnership or at the request of the
U.S. Government, in the belief that their own government will at-
tempt to protect them if they are in danger. Consequently, it is
particularly distressing to us to know that these dedicated workers
may in fact be endangered by actions or suspected actions of that
very government.
I refer specifically to the perception that religious workers may
be recruited by U.S. intelligence organizations to serve as inform-
ants. We understand the Central Intelligence Agency has for many
years operated under a general ban on the use of religious workers
as informants. We also know that the CIA's rules allow for waiving
this ban under special circumstances. It is the existence of this
waiver authority that places religious workers in jeopardy.
Whether or not the waiver authority is exercised by the CIA, the
possibility that it could creates the perception that it is or will be.
The widely publicized recommendation made this spring by a
task force on the Council on Foreign Relations that the ban on use
of religious workers be reviewed only increases our concern about
this issue.
At that time the heads of the member communions of the Na-
tional Council of Churches wrote to CIA Director John Deutch that
missionaries are often in the position to observe developments in
society that need to be brought to the public's attention. We know,
for example, that church workers are the first to report the epi-
demic of starvation in Liberia a few years ago. Such reporting.
34
done publicly, is a service to the whole community. However, to ask
church workers to observe in a clandestine fashion and report se-
cretly on what they see and hear is often to endanger their lives.
The mere public perception that a few U.S. missionaries and reli-
gious workers might be gathering information secretly for the Gov-
ernment undermines the trust of all workers that need to develop
with the communities they serve in order to carry out their min-
istries. Because we believe so strongly that it is inappropriate for
religious workers to gather this information for the Government,
many of our communions have adopted policies requiring our per-
sonnel to refrain from contacts with the Government.
May I just close by saying that we still believe that this is the
right approach to take to this action and this issue. A complete ban
on the CIA and other intelligence gathering organizations to use
religious workers. As long as there is any reason to suspect that
religious workers may be agents of the U.S. Government, the lives
and safety of these servants of the public good are in jeopardy.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman SPECTER. Thank you very much, Dr. Page. We cer-
tainly do commend the activities of your organization worldwide,
being subjected to the risks which you have just spoken about.
Your MaryknoU Sisters as well. Sister LaVerdiere. And your exten-
sive service, 22 years in Kenya.
Sister LaVerdiere. Yes.
Chairman Specter. It is very impressive. I had an opportunity
to visit Kenya 2 years ago.
Sister LaVerdiere, permit me to start with a question of you as
to the imminence, the kind of danger that you feel your order runs
into as you perform your services around the world. Do you think
that — have you found that there is a concern or suspicion that the
MaryknoU Sisters might be agents for the CIA?
Sister LaVerdiere. Not directly, sir. That's why I spoke mostly
to the effect of undermining the trust in our relationships with the
people. My colleagues have mentioned that the seed of distrust is
already planted. We make consistent efforts to counter it by our
lives.
Chairman Specter. Where do the seeds of distrust originate, if
you can help us with that question?
Sister LaVerdiere. I think it came out in 1977, at the time when
the policy was stated. At that time, the religious community
mounted a concerted effort to make sure that this would not go un-
challenged.
Chairman Specter. And what has your success been since 1977
with dispelling that concern?
Sister LaVerdiere. Consistently, we try to be faithful to our own
mandate of speaking in the name of God, as Mr. John Orme said;
to be consistent in our own efforts and approach to the people, so
as to dispel any suspicion. But that suspicion is still there, just be-
cause many of us are from the United States.
Chairman Specter. Dr. Page, in articulating the work of your
group worldwide. Church World Service and Witness, have you
seen specific cases where your representatives have come under
suspicion of being agents for the CIA?
35
Dr. Page. I could point to recent experiences of my visit just to
Southeast Asia recently, and in that that there is a suspicion that
sometimes religious workers are indeed recruited and that some of
our religious workers have been taken into captivity as hostages.
That happened in Cambodia to a British relief worker. Some of the
drivers of our trucks that have been taking rice into refugees —
there's about 95,000 refugees living along the Thai-Burma border
because of the continuing civil war in Burma — some of those driv-
ers have been murdered. With the understanding by some people
that they are indeed agents of the U.S. Government.
We have taken every precaution that we possibly can to dispel
in any way, shape or form that we collaborate with the Govern-
ment in the passing on of information. That is not to say, Mr.
Chairman, that some people, religious workers, might volunteer on
their own behalf to give information. But we in no way, shape, or
form encourage our workers or allow our workers to be agents of
the Government.
Chairman Specter. Dr. Argue and Dr. Orme, would it be suffi-
cient in your view to have a rule where only the President might
have a waiver, that under the strict Finding which requires it
being in writing with the preceding deliberation, and then only in
matters of national security? Would that be an acceptable exception
in your view? Dr. Orme?
Dr. Orme. One of the problems we deal with, Mr. Chairman, is
the atmosphere of suspicion and the politicization of the atmos-
phere virtually around the world. My experience is 14 years living
in Guatemala, and so throughout Latin America there is a politi-
cized effect. On the one level it is certainly understandable if there
were an end of the world scenario, mass destruction, massive ter-
rorism, where the President would certainly intervene on behalf of
national interests. At the same time, we must do all we can at this
point, and this is why we would require and ask for, rather, a pub-
lic blanket statement that would clarify things to some degree for
those in other countries. This will not be done even through one
statement. It is going to take years to gain again the trust of those
who
Chairman Specter. But you would look for an absolute prohibi-
tion, even without a limited exception for the President on his de-
termination?
Dr. Orme. I would prefer that. However, I understand in cases
of national interest, there may be some end of the world type sce-
narios that we can't really prognosticate right now, we can't really
predict what
Chairman Specter. So would you accept that kind of an excep-
tion?
Dr. Orme. It would not be my first preference.
Chairman Specter. OK.
Well, my amber light is on, so I will now turn to our distin-
guished colleague, Senator Robb.
Senator Robb. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I have just one question. I pose the question as one who has long
been skeptical of any utilization of either news-gathering or clerical
participation in intelligence operations, one who understands the
need for a variety of different assets that the Intelligence Commu-
36
nity can draw upon, but who believes that there should be clear ex-
ceptions. But let me raise this one question and pose it to Dr. Page,
if I may, although I would be interested in your comments. Is there
a distinction to be drawn between clergy, Dr. Page, and the term
you used: religious workers?
Dr. Page. Right.
Senator Robb. At some point we have a problem of scope in who
is included and who is excluded. If I may just suggest an analogous
situation that might be sufficiently parallel: In the field of tax ex-
emptions for charitable organizations, we permit those organiza-
tions to be tax exempt except for income that is derived in the
same manner that a non-tax exempt organization might. The situa-
tion is not entirely parallel, but here you have a problem of defini-
tion, who would be included in the blanket immunity: whether it
would be only someone who was ordained or somehow formally
given the charge of a religious organization, or also apply to those
who might be volunteers, might be friends, or might be paid em-
ployees who drive trucks, or other tasks of that nature.
Would you care to discuss where you think a line might be
drawn, if you believe a line indeed would be appropriate?
Dr. Page. I am one that probably would not draw a line. Senator.
I appreciate the question very much, because the minority of our
workers around the world — as I say, we operate in some 70 dif-
ferent countries, not only in Southeast Asia, but Asia, Africa, Latin
America, Central America, and so forth — the majority of our work-
ers are not ordained. When we say religious workers we refer to
all paid workers under the employ of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the USA. I would say that we would want
a ban on all what we consider to be religious worker, those in our
employment.
Senator Robb. But let me just ask you, if you had someone whom
you hired to perform services that did not directly affect the mis-
sion that you were performing, to do administrative or cooking or
other activities, would you find a distinction there that would merit
additional attention?
Dr. Page. I appreciate the question, and I would draw no line.
I would want those people also exempted from being CIA inform-
ants or informants on behalf — gathering of intelligence on behalf of
intelligence gathering agencies.
I think that this preserves the integrity of all of our workers who
are in our employ, because whether they are a truck driver or a
cook or a person that is working in other kinds of capacities other
than directly in development work, they are people that we work
with and deserve our protection and deserve the protection of our
integrity.
Senator ROBB. I hear you. I am not sure I agree with that, even
as one sympathetic to the need for some exclusion from permissible
intelligence activity.
Dr. Page. I understand that. Senator. Maybe Sister, you would
like to?
Senator RoBB. I was going to say, are there any others who
might like to comment on that question of where you can see a le-
gitimate distinction, if you accept the premise of my question that
there has to be some way of limiting the kind of exclusion that
37
might otherwise preclude intelHgence gathering activities from
deahng with virtually anyone.
Sister LaVerdiere. I assume you are speaking of American citi-
zens?
Senator ROBB. You can address it either way. It could be inter-
preted, if it were broadly enough applied, to give anyone who was
employed locally to assist your endeavors the same blanket immu-
nity that has been requested for U.S. clergy and others.
Sister LaVerdiere. I agree with Dr. Page that there be no lines
drawn to distinguish between those who are associated with a mis-
sion and ourselves. Locally employed people are also associated
with the religious purpose of that mission and are also trusted on
the same basis as we are. Anyone associated with that mission,
having a dual role of church worker and intelligence gatherer
would become very mistrusted. Then, associated with us, we would
also be mistrusted. I would not agree to a line of distinction be-
tween these workers and ourselves.
Senator RoBB. I understand your point of view.
Dr. Argue. I would quote from a letter that Senator Hatfield
sent to Director Deutch where he makes the statement that I
would say in response to your question. The suspicion created by
CIA involvement with even one overseas member of U.S. based re-
ligious organization puts the welfare of all in jeopardy. Therefore,
allowing a waiver of this policy is tantamount to declaring no policy
at all.
Senator Robb. Your positions are clear. You can understand the
dilemma that we might face in terms of how broad an application
of such a waiver or exemption might be. But I thank you for your
testimony.
Mr. Chairman, I thank you.
Chairman SPECTER. Thank you very much, Senator Robb.
Thank you very much. Sister LaVerdiere, Dr. Argue, Dr. Orme,
and Dr. Page. For those who expressed some concern about the
public hearings on this matter, the testimony today, for any of
those who might be watching around the world who might suspect
journalists or church workers or Peace Corps workers to be
operatives for the CIA might well be dissuaded from Director
Deutch's testimony that it hasn't been done during his 14 months,
and from the collateral information that it is a very, very rare oc-
currence, if ever, and for the very strong statements made about
an American point of view against it, and certainly this is a matter
which has been in the public domain with some emphasis since the
report earlier this year by the Council on Foreign Relations on the
Future of U.S. Intelligence, and the passage by the House of Rep-
resentatives of legislation on the subject, 417 to 6, and a matter
which is squarely before the Senate and a matter within the pur-
view of the Intelligence Committee to take a look at what the CIA
is doing and make an evaluation of it and consider whether there
ought to be legislation on the subject. So that this is not a matter
that we have made any unique disclosures on today. To the extent
that others may be looking, if they thought every church goer or
journalist or Peace Corps operative was a CIA secret agent, they
would get a very, very different view from what we have heard
here today.
38
But we commend you on what you are doing worldwide, the
Maryknoll missioners, and with the reUgious organizations; and we
will do our best to protect your interests and your activities.
You made a reference to the letter from Senator Hatfield, and his
letter of February 28, 1996, strongly opposing the use of church
goers will be made a part of the record.
[The letter referred to follows:]
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC, February 28, 1996.
Hon. John Deutch,
Director, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Director: It is with great disappointment and concern that I note re-
cent reports regarding the possible relaxation of the Central Intelligence Agencj^s
regulation prohibiting the use of American clergy or missionaries abroad. It is my
firm belief that this practice tarnishes the image of the United States, prostitutes
the church, and violates the first amendment's separation of church and state. Your
pronouncement that the regualation is subject to waiver, as well as a recent panel's
recommendation to loosen tne restrictions, are very disturbing to hear.
As you know, the internal regualation prohibiting the use of clergy and mission-
aries abroad was issued in 1976, following a personal exchange between myself and
then-Director George Bush. In return for Director Bush's assurances, I withdrew
legislation which would have created a statutory prohibition against Federal intel-
ligence agency involvement with members of the clergy and missionaries. I do not
recall it being conveyed to me at that time that the new regulation could later be
waived at the discretion of a particular director or deputy director.
When we allow the CIA or any other government intelligence agency to use our
missionaries to perform political intelligence operations, we prevent the church's
mission and bring discredit upon the foreign policies and credibility of the United
States. Moreover, the suspicion created hy CIA involvement with even one overseas
member of U.S. -based religious organizations puts the welfare of all missionaries in
jeopardy. Therefore, allowing a waiver of this policy is tantamount to declaring no
policy at all.
While I appreciate your attempt to clarify that these activities would be initiated
and approvea only in extraordinary situations, I again have to reiterate my strong
opposition to this practice under any circumstances. It is my hope that you will reaf-
firm the CIA's regulation prohibiting these activities and clarify that waivers will
not be given in the case of members of the clergy or missionaries.
ThanK you for your personal attention to this matter.
Kindest regards.
Sincerely,
Mark O. Hatfield,
U.S. Senator.
Chairman Specter. So we thank you, and that concludes the
hearing.
Sister LaVerdiere. Thank you.
Dr. Orme. Thank you.
Dr. Page. Thank you.
Dr. Argue. Thank you.
[Thereupon, at 12:15 p.m., the hearing was concluded.]
Prepared Statement of Mark D. Gearan
Mr. Chairman, the issue that this committee is considering today — the Central In-
telligence Agency's policy regarding the possible use of clergy, journalists, and the
Peace Corps — is of profound concern to me as the Director of the Peace Corps, to
the almost 7,000 Americans who are currently serving as Volunteers in 93 coun-
tries, and to the more than 145,000 Americans who have joined the Peace Corps
over the last 35 years. This issue goes directly to what I consider to be my most
important responsibility as Director of the Peace Corps — ensuring the safety and se-
curity of Volunteers and protecting the integrity of the Peace Corps' mission in the
developing world. Therefore, let me be clear about my views on this matter: The cur-
rent and longstanding policy of keeping the Peace Corps completely separate from
any intelligence agency or activities is essential and must be kept firmly in place.
Any change, or the mere suggestion of change, is both misguided and dangerous.
39
It has been the poUcy of the U.S. Government since the Peace Corps was estab-
lished in 1961 to maintain a wall of separation between the Peace Corps and all
intelligence agencies. There are powerful reasons for rigid adherence to this fun-
damental principle. Most importantly, if Peace Corps Volunteers were thought to be
part of any intelligence activities, their safety and security would be placed at grave
risk in very country where they serve. Moreover, the mere suspicion that Volunteers
might be involved in intelligence activities would compromise their ability to earn
the trust and respect of the people they serve in developing countries, and woiild
preclude them from performing their jobs. In other words, maintaining this policy
is crucial to the Peace Corps.
To insulate the Peace Corps and our Volunteers from any intelligence agency or
activity, it has been the Peace Corps' longstanding policy to exclude from Peace
Corps Volunteer service and employment any persons who have engaged in intel-
ligence activity or related work, or who have been employed by or connected with
an intelligence agency. The Peace Corps Manual states in clear terms that "persons
currently or formerly employed by the Central Intelligence Agency shall be perma-
nently ineUgible for Peace Corps Volunteer service or employment by the Peace
Corps." In addition, any individual who has personally been involved in intelligence
activities or who has worked for any other U.S. Government agency, the mission of
which substantially includes intelligence activities, is not eligible for Peace Corps
service or employment for a minimum of 10 years.
The policy of keeping the Peace Corps completely separate from any intelligence
agency or activity has been supported at the highest levels of every Administration,
both Democratic and Republican, since the Kennedy Administration. In a cable to
all diplomatic and consular posts in June 1983, then Secretary of State George
Schultz issued the following instructions: "As in the past, separation between the
Peace Corps and intelligence activities must be complete and absolute. There should
not be any contact whatsoever between anyone in the Intelligence Community and
any Peace Corps Volunteer or trainee." This policy was reaffirmed in a July 1991
cable to our overseas posts from then-Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence
Eagleburger and, most recently, in a December 1995 cable from Secretary of State
Warren Christopher.
Since the Peace Corps' inception, there also has been a clear understanding with
the Director of Central Intelligence about the critical need to maintain a complete
separation between the Peace Corps and any intelligence activities. This under-
standing was formalized in a January 1978 letter from the Director of Central Intel-
ligence to the Director of Action (the Peace Corps' former parent organization). A
formal written agreement signed between the two agencies in November 1989 fur-
ther ensures our complete separation in every respect.
When this issue became the subject of some discussion a few months ago, Robert
Gates, who was the Director of Central Intelligence under President Bush, stated
the following in a letter to me: "I have long believed that under no circumstances
should American clergy. Peace Corps or AID officers be used by CIA, nor should the
Agency ever use any of the three for cover. [F]or their protection and to minimize
their risk, U.S. public and private policy should be that CIA will not make use of
these organizations, their staffs, or their names." (emphasis in originad)
Today, CIA Director John Deutch affirmed again before this committee that it
continues to be the CIA's policy "not to use Peace Corps personnel for intelligence
purposes." I appreciate his strong and public commitment to this very sound and
wise policy.
Mr. Chairman, I know of and appreciate your strong support for the Peace Corps
and the work of our Volunteers. They are altruistic Americans who, in the spirit
of trust and friendship, want to serve our country and the people of developing
countries by helping to address some of the world's most pressing problems, such
as poverty, disease, environmental degradation, and lack of economic opportunity.
Moreover, Peace Corps Volunteers have strengthened America's ties wdtn, and un-
derstanding of, people in developing countries in a very personal way. Their hard
work and spirit of service have earned enormous goodwill and respect for our coun-
try. This is the genius of the Peace Corps, and we should do everything we can to
protect it.
For 35 years, the Peace Corps has worked diligently and with great success to
reassure the host country governments and communities that Volunteers have abso-
lutely no connection to U.S. intelligence agencies. It is my responsibility, as Director
of the Peace Corps, to ensure that this hard-earned trust is respected and preserved.
Mr. Chairman, the U.S. Gk)vemment has many other means and resources to deal
with threats to our national security. The Peace Corps, however, does not have a
role in these matters, nor should it. I beUeve this bipartisan policy, which has broad
40
support both within and outside of our government, has worked remarkably well for
more than three decades, and it is central to the Peace Corps' future.
Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.
Biography of Don Argue, Ed.D.
Don Argue, Ed.D., became president of the National Association of Evangelicals
(NAE) on April 1, 1995. In a historic election, he was chosen by a unanimous vote
on Tuesday, December 13, 1994.
The NAE is comprised of approximately 42,500 congregations nationwide from 49
member denominations and individual congregations from an additional 26 denomi-
nations, as well as several hundred independent churches. The membership of the
association includes 289 parachurch ministries and educational institutions.
Through the cooperative ministry of these members, the National Association of
Evangelicals directly and indirectly benefits over 27 million people.
Argue had served as president of North Central College, Minneapolis, MN, since
1979. Under his leadership, the college grew from an enrollment of 401 to over 1,500
(1,182 on campus and 400+ non-traditional) and received the Cristianity Today Dec-
ade of Growth Award in recognition of its being the fastest growing college of its
kind in the Nation during the 1980s.
A graduate of Central Bible College, Argue earned a master's degree at Santa
Clara University, CA; and a doctorate at the University of the Pacific, California.
He has also done postgraduate study at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary,
South Hamilton, MA; Regent College, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
In prior years he served as dean of students and campus pastor at Evangel Col-
lege in Springfield, MO. He was pastor of churches in San Jose and Morgan Hill,
CA.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Sister Claudette LaVerdiere, M.M., Community President, Maryknoll Sisters
Educational Background
College: Mary Rogers College, Maryknoll, New York
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education
Date: June, 1967
Graduate School: Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois
Degree: Masters of Theological Studies
Date: May, 1986
Ministry Experience
1956: Entered Maryknoll Sisters Congregation from the Diocese of Portland, Maine.
1968-1971: Classroom Teacher, Nganza Secondary School for Girls, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Subjects. Religion, English and Geography
1974-1976: Teacher of Religious Education, Secondary Schools, Nakuru, Kenya.
1976-1979: Catechetical Director, Diocese of Nakuru, Kenya, Africa.
1980-1984: Member, Development Education Team, Diocese of Mombasa, Kenya, Africa.
Work: Organizing and giving workshops in development, leadership, social analysis, communications
and evaluation.
Focus. Women's Development
1987-1990: Professor of Theology and Scripture, Institutes of Religious Formation in Kenya:
— St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary
— Apostles of Jesus Seminary
— African School of Theology— Hekima College
— Theological Centre of Religious — Major Seminary
Oct. 1990: Elected as President of the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation as the first President whose
mission expferience has been primarily in Africa.
41
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE U.S.A.
Church World Service & Witness
biographical information on the reverend rodney i. page
Director, Church World Service and Witness.
Executive Director, Church World Service, Inc.
Deputy General Secretary, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
U.S.A.
The Reverend Rodney I. Page is an ordained minister in the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ).
Mr. Page earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drake University, in Des Moines,
lA, and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Texas Christian University, in Fort
Worth, TX. He has also been granted an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from
Northwest Christian College, Eugene, OR.
Mr. Page began his career as a campus minister at Portland State University and
then became Associate Director of the Greater Portland Council of Churches. He be-
came Associate Director of the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon in 1973, moving to
the Executive Director's position where he served for 13 years.
Mr. Page has been active in civil and religious organizations such as the City
Club of Portland, the Oregon Council on Crime and Delinquency, the Regional Drug
Initiative, the Oregon Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East,
Kiwanis and the Disciples Peace Fellowship.
He has served as Chair of the State of Oregon Civil Rights Commission, the City
of Portland Fair Housing Task Force and the City of Portland Police Use of Force
Committee. He received the Oregon Citizen of the Year award in 1982, the Oregon
Peace Prize in 1991, the Equal Opportunity Award from the Urban League in 1992,
the Indochinese Cultural Award for work on behalf of Refugee Resettlement and the
American Civil Liberties Union E.B. McNaughton Award in 1995.
Mr. Page has moderated numerous television and radio programs. His tenure
with NCCC began, April 1, 1996.
CAPITAL CITIES/ABC, INC. TELEVISION NETWORK GROUP
Biography
TED KOPPEL, ANCHOR, ABC NEWS "NIGHTLINE"
Ted Koppel, a 33-year veteran of ABC News, was named anchor of "Nightline"
when the broadcast was introduced in March, 1980. In his anchor role, Mr. Koppel
is the principal on-air reporter and interviewer for television's first late-night net-
work news program. In addition, Mr. Koppel is the program's Managing Editor.
Each weekday evening, from 11:35 p.m. to 12:05 a.m. (ET), "Nightline" provides
in-depth reporting on one or more of the major stories in the news through a com-
bination of live interviews with newsmakers and background reports from
"Nightline" reporters in the field.
In its 17th year on the air, "Nightline" is still considered one of the finest innova-
tions in broadcast news. Said a commentary in The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1993,
". . . 'Nightline,' frequently a beacon of responsibility in a frequently irresponsible
medium, proves that television can be an invaluable part of the American system."
And from Vanity Fair, "For more than a decade, 'Nightline' has shaped the news
and even history . . ."
"Nightline's" success is due in large part to the exemplary Ted Koppel, who has
estabUshed a reputation among viewers, critics, and his peers as a journalist par
excellence. "Koppel's implicit moral authority helps explain why 'Nightline' has be-
come such a key test for public figures . . . and others to defend themselves when
fighting for their careers," wrote Vanity Fair. The New York Times said, "Mr.
Koppel is like an unflappable commander whose very presence and unhurried ca-
dences bring the troops to order, just the way he controls the personages who are
honored by invitations to 'Nightline'." Mr. Koppel has been cited by The Wall Street
Journal as "the pre-eminent TV interviewer in America," while The Los Angeles
Times refers to him as "the undisputed reigning lion of tough TV interview journal-
ism."
Mr. Koppel has won every major broadcasting award, including 25 Emmy Awards,
five George Foster Peabody Awards, eight duPont-Columbia Awards, nine Overseas
Press Club Awards, two George Polk Awards, and two Sigma Delta Chi Awards, the
highest honor bestowed for public service by the Society of Professional Journalists.
42
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Mr. Koppel was honored with the first Goldsmith Lifetime Achievement Award
for Excellence in Journalism by the Joan Shorenstein Barone Center on the Press,
Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University. In addition, he was the recipient
of the prestigious Gabriel Personal Achievement Award from the National Catholic
Association of Broadcasters and Communicators. In 1985, Mr. Koppel was honored
with the first Gold Baton in the history of the duPont-Columbia Awards for
"Nightline's" week-long series originating from South Africa. Mr. Koppel and
"Nightline" were cited for "the most extraordinarily television of the year."
Mr. Koppel was named the first recipient of the Sol Taishoff Award presented by
Broadcasting Magazine. He was voted best interviewer on radio or TV by The Wash-
ington Journalism Review in 1987, and was named Broadcaster of the Year by the
International Television and Radio Society. Mr. Koppel was is an inductee of the
Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
In 1994, Mr. Koppel was named a Chevalier de L'ordre des Arts et des Lettres
from the Republic of France. He has received honorary degrees from Syracuse Uni-
versity, Colgate University, The University of South Carolina, American University,
New England School of Law, Fairfield University, Middlebury College, Georgetown
School of Law, Dartmouth College, Knox College, Howard University, Duke Univer-
sity, Saint Louis University, University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University, Johns
Hopkins University and Catholic University.
Before his "Nightline" assignment, Mr. Koppel worked as an anchor, foreign and
domestic correspondent and bureau chief for ABC News.
From 1971 to 1980, he was ABC News' Chief Diplomatic Correspondent, and for
a 2-year period beginning in 1975, he anchored "The ABC Saturday Night News."
His diplomatic assignment included coverage of former Secretary of State Henry
Kissinger, a tour of duty that took Mr. Koppel more than a quarter of a milhon
miles during the days of Kissinger's "shuttle diplomacy."
During the time he was on the State Department beat, Mr. Koppel co-wrote the
best seller, "In the National Interest," with his friend and colleague, Marvin Kalb,
formerly of CBS News
Before being named Diplomatic Correspondent, Mr. Koppel was ABC News Hong
Kong Bureau Chief from 1969 to 1971. In this position, he traveled hundreds of
thousands of miles to cover stories from Vietnam to Australia.
In 1968, he became Miami Bureau Chief for ABC News, where his assignments
included covering Latin America.
On the political beat, he has had a major reporting role in every presidential
nominating convention — a total of 16 — since 1964. He co-anchored ABC News' cov-
erage of the 1980 Democratic and Republican National Conventions and ABC elec-
tion night coverage.
Mr. Koppel joined ABC News, New York in 1963, as a full-time general assign-
ment correspondent at the age of 23. Prior to joining ABC News he worked at
WMCA Radio in New York City, where he was a desk assistant and an occasional
off-air reporter.
A native of Lancashire, England, Mr. Koppel moved to the United States with his
Earents when he was 13 years old. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse
University and an M.A. in mass communications research and poUtical science from
Stanford.
He is married to the former Grace Anne Domey of New York City. They reside
in Potomac, MD, and have four children.
O
ISBN 0-16-053885-8
9 780
60"538858
90000
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