WHITE HOUSE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON ALLEGED CIA KNOWLEDGE OF OFFICIAL HONDUR

Created: 3/21/1986

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FOR:

SUBJECT:

REFERENCE:

Sally Kelley

Director of Agency Liaison Presidential

Correspondence The White Bouse

White Rouse Request for Information on Alleged CIA Knowledge of Official Honduran Government Involvement in Certain Activities

Referral Letter of

he following information is provided in response to the three questions posed by Mr. Gerry E. StuddsA) on page two of his letter of

Question 1: Were. officials aware that murders were being carried out. trained Honduran military personnel during the period14 and, if so what actions were taken in response to that knowledge? '

Answer: During the period in1 the CIA never obtained or provided. officials any information confirming that CIA-trained Honduran military personnel had participated in death squad activity. At the time, there were extensive tumors of official Bonduran involvement in death squad activities. The CIA directed %Wmf>

resources to

tdetermine if there were any truth to the rumors. Subsequent to the period in question, the CIA obtained information on official Honduran Government involvement in death squad activity and has made this information available to both intelligence oversight committees.

Question 2: Were. officials aware that murders were being carried out in Honduras by persons affiliated with the FDN during this period and, if so, what actions were taken in response to that knowledge?

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SUBJECT: White House Request for Information on

Alleged CIA Knowledge of Official Honduras Coverntient Involvement in Certain Activities

Answer: While there were rumors that the PDN was involved in political murders, we have never developed any information that confirmed this. The CIA was then and continues to be aware that accusations of FDN involvement in such activities severely hurt the FDN's cause and its image.

Question 3: Has any official of. Government attempted to influence the military assignment, promotion, or continued military service of officers of the Honduran Army, or in any other way sought to discourage the publicby the Honduran armed forces of the facts surrounding the murders and disappearances that occurred during this period?

Answer: The CIA has not tried to cover up or discourage the publication of information on death squad activities. The Agency understands the high priority that the American people and Congress attach to ending human rights abuses in Central America. More specifically, no CIA officer has tried to influence assignments, promotions, or continued military service of officers in the Honduran Army.

2. Attachedopy of your correspondence to us per youc request.

Oavfdrl33

David D. Gries Director, Office of Congressional Affairs

Attachment As stated

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Original document.

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