C.I.A. defended

Press, Issue 33840, 12 May 1975, Page 15

C.I.A. defended

(N. Z. P. A.-Reuter — Copyright)

W.ASHINGTON, May 11.

A former United States Central Intelligence Agency executive has strongly defended the C.I.A. against accusations that it plotted anti-government coups and assassinations and infringed the rights of Americans at home.

Declaring that he had left: [his post as head of the. [C.LA.’s Latin American; operations to help to clear the agency’s name by speak-[ ing publicly’, Mr David Phil-1 lips also denied C.I.A. complicity in the 1973 overthrow and death of the Chilean President, Dr Salvadorej Allende. “I have written a letter to[ Mrs Allende which will provide information that will be new to her and, perhaps, modify her outlook on the question of C.I.A. culpability,” Mr Phillips told a press conference. “I certainly hope so.” For 25 years a C.I.A. agent, and the head of the Latin; American branch at the time [ of the Chilean coup d’etat, he [ said: “I am retiring early, because of the rash of sensational headlines in the [world press which leave the impression the C.I.A. is an [ organisation of unprincipled people. I hope I can do something to straighten out the [record on that issue. “There was no involvement [by United States military, [intelligence, naval intelli-l gence. or Central intelligence i in the Chilean coup.” _ I

Mr Phillips, aged 52, a former actor and newspaper; editor, told reporters that he could speak only of C.I.A. activities in South America, where he served, among other places, in Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Chile. He denied that the C.I.A. had infiltrated security operations in host countries but he acknowledged that ministers of the interior or security chiefs had co-operated with the agency — “as they do with intelligence services of other countries; there is nothing questionable about this practice." He also disputed accusations that the agency plotted to kill the Cuban Prime Minister (Dr Castro); Haiti’s late President Francois (“Papa Doc”) Duvalier; and the late Rafael Trujillo, President of the Dominican Republic.

“However, the C.I.A. would be derelict if it does not have an agent in a group which might be plotting an (assassination or a sudden change of government," Mr I Phillips added.