Nixon Government ‘concealed huge bribes scandal’

Press, 9 June 1977, Page 9

Nixon Government ‘concealed huge bribes scandal’

NZPA-Reuter

Washington

A former State Department official has charged that the Nixon Administration covered up efforts by the South Korean Government to influence United States Congressmen through pay-offs and other means.

"The C.I.A. (Central In-i telligence Agency) knew) about it, the F. 8.1. (Federal; Bureau of Investigation) • knew about it, (the former Defence Secretary) Melvin I Laird knew about it, the Internal Revenue Service,, Customs, State, the Justice! D-.oartment they all knew! about it,” Mr Donald Ranard told NZPA-Reuter in aninterview. Mr Ranard, who headed) the State Department offices of Korean affairs from 1970,

•Ito 1974 said that the wide- ! spread awareness of what 'was going on, coupled with in the executive [branch amounted to a coverlup. “If you ask me, I think [there’s been a cover-up,” he; I said. Probes by Congress and the Justice Department had been broadened to try to; I find out not only who might | (have taken pay-offs but also why the Government did not I act, he aded.

Mr Ranard said that he had no direct knowledge of information a former director of the South Korean Central Intelligence Agency is reported to have given to United States investigators.

[ The “Washington Post” ! said this week that the former director, Mr Kim Hyung Wook, had given investigators “a road map” by ! disclosing secret Swiss bank accounts, naming South Korean businesses used as K.C.1.A., covers, and identifying agents, including a leading businessman, Mr Tongsun Park. The “Post” said that Mr Kim also told American investigators that the South Korean President (Mr Park Chung Hee) diverted about five per cent of all foreign investments to Swiss bank accounts.

Mr Kim, who was dismissed by President Park in 1969 and now lives in New York, said that the President regularly contributed to United States Congressional and Presidential election candidates in the 19605. American Congressmen who went to South Korea got cash, entertainment, female companionship, honarary degrees, and medals, he said. The former K.C.I.A. director was also reported as saying that a number of Congressmen now under investigation got money in the United States through Mr Tongsun Park and other K.C.I.A. channels, sometimes as much as $50,000 each.