C.I.A. head hits back at critics

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33775, 22 February 1975, Page 15

C.I.A. head hits back at critics

(By

ROBERT GRUENBERG,

of the "Chicago Daily

News," through N.Z.P.A.)

WASHINGTON, February 21.

Mr William Colby, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, has told Congress that “the almost hysterical excitement” about the C.I.A. already has “placed American intelligence (work) in danger.”

Testifying only a day after the House voted to establish a 10-member “select” committee to review United States intelligence operations in 11 or more different Government agencies including the C.I.A. Colby said: “These last two months have placed American intelligence in danger,” and “raised the question whether secret operations can be conducted by the United States. "“A number of the intelligence services abroad with which the C.I.A. works have expressed concern over its situation and over the fate of the sensitive information they provide to us. “A number of our individual agents abroad are deeply worried that their names might be revealed with resultant danger to their lives as well as their livelihoods,” he said. Mr Colby’s testimony appeared to be the beginning I of a counterattack in reply

to continuing stories about' i domestic C.I.A. operations, especially domestic spying. ' Mr Colby conceded, as he 1 has before, that there were ■ “mis-steps” by the C.1.A., | but they “were few and far! ; between” and “in no way! : justify the outcry which hasI been raised.” i He referred to a “counterJ intelligence operation direct- ; ed at possible foreign links ito American dissidents,” and, referring to break-in, wire-tapping, and mail opening said, “a few such activi- ; ties ... in fact occurred.” He said they were taken s under the authority of the 1947 National Security Act, which set up the C.1.A., and ■ for the purpose of protecting ' the agency’s sources. > Mr Colby’s testimony ■ ■ came as the number of: > boards, panels, and special; committees set up to in-; vestigate the C.I.A. grew to eight, including the house > select committee created ' yesterday.