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SPECIAL ISSUE ON GUATEMALA
Inspector General Reports on Investigation on Guatemala
The CIA Inspector General haseven month investigation of allegations concerning Agency activities in Guatemala. This investigation included the review of over ro.OOO pages of material and inturvieivs otndividuals, including present and former DC Is, DDO's, Ambassadors, State Department officials,taff members of the Senate and House intelligence oversight committees.
The resultinal Report of investigation consisting of findings, conclusion and recommendations for both systemic and administrative actions to be taken by the Director of Central Intelligence.
The-major conclusions:
No evidence has been found that any employee of the Central Intelligence Agency in any way directed, participated in, or condoned the murder of Michael DeVine.
No evidence has been found to indicate that Agency personnel in any way directed, participated in, or condoned the capture, torture. Subsequent disappearance, and possible death of Efrain Bamaca.
evidence has been found to indicate that any Agency employee encouraged, participated in. condoned, or concealed any action thatiolation of US criminal law.
Noeen found to indicate that any Agency employee knowingly misled the congressional oversight committee* or deliberated decided to withhold information from them.
No evidence has been found to indicate that any Agency personnel made any effort to remove, dispose of. or destroy classified Agency documents to avoid any investigation.
No evidence has been found to indicate that any Agency employee deliberately withheld any information relating to the DeVine case from the Department of Justice.
The investigation concluded that CIA was performing its mission in Guatemala subject to legitimate intelligence requirements from US Government policymakers for information concerning human rights issues In Guatemala; the status ot the insurgency in Guatemala; and narcotics trafficking In Guatemala. These Agency activities were conducted under well-established Executive Branch guidelines and congressionally approved programs. In order to acquire the needed intelligence, the Agency was required to associate with individuals in Guatemala who had direct knowledge about those issues.
When the Agency acquired information alleging that persons with whom it had contact may have been involved in the death of Michael DeVine. it ended that contact and referred the information to the Department of Justice. These actions were taken even though thereubstantial basis for questioning the credibility of this information
The investigation also concluded that certain Agency officers did not meet the Agency's professional standards for accurate and timely reporting of intelligence. Agency reporting on the DeVine and Bamaca casesajor factor in US diplomatic demarches to the Guatemalan Government. Nonetheless, two key reports about the death of Michael DeVine and the capture and fate of Efrain Bamaca were Hawed, the Inspector General concluded, with the result that policymakers were unintentionally misled. Appropriate review of the information available to Agency officers at the time would have raised very serious doubts about the factual basis of the reports.
Further, the investigation determined that the Agency did not meet its responsibilities to keep the congressional intelligence oversight committees fully and currently informed. Agency officers intended that Ihe Congress should be informed of various reports relating to matters of interest to Ihe committees but failed to follow through.esult of management Inattention, congressional notification was delayed for over three years with
regard to one such report HOttWVf, no evidence has been found N) indicate thai any Agency personnel advocated not notifying Congress orecision not to do so.satisfactory explanation has been provided as to why the committees were not notit'ied. but those involved Mat* il was forgotten in the course ot events when no one took clear responsibility to ensure it was done.
The investigation also round that the US Ambassadors to Guatemala were not kept appropriately informed about what the Agency knew regarding various aspects of ihe DeVine and Bamaca cases. On several occasions, based upon apparent concern lor protection or'sources or Agency equities, Agency personnel tailedercise good judgment in determining what should be told to the US Ambassadors in Guatemala.
Finally, the analysis thai the Agency provided to various officials about these matters was incomplete in certain respects. Agency analyses were not provided, or did. all available information from Agency reports in assessing Alpirez's role in the DeVine and Bamaca cases.
The Inspector General has made recommendations to the Director concerning personal accountability on the part of certain Agency officers and for changes in Agency practices and procedures. Excerpts from the DCl's statement on how he intends to address these recommendations appear onf thisii* is UNCLASSIFIED.)
White House Issues Statement on Gualemala
White House Press Secretary Mike McCurrytatement on Julyegarding the CIA IC's investigation of Guatemala and the ongoing review by the President's Intelligence Oversight Board. The paragraphs beloiv are excerpts from the press statement.
Onhe President directed the Intelligence Oversight Board toovernment-wide review concerning allegations surrounding0 death of American citizen Michael DeVine and2 disappearance of Guatemalan guerrilla leader Efrain Bamaca Valasquez and related matters. Under terms ol reference issued on Aprilhe scope of the inquiry also covers any intelligence bearing on the deaths, disappearance or abuse of US citizens in Guatemala.
Because other agency investigations and the IOB's review are not yet complete,eserves judgment on the CIA IC's findings, conclusions and recommendations. The IOB believes, however, that the report's kev
findings of tact .ice substantially consistent with whatas sm mi independently found. Most importantly, the IOB is presentlv aware or no information indicating tha; CIA officials were involved in the abduction and murder of Michael DeVine or the reported torture and execution of Ei'rain Bntnacn
The IOB concurs with the CIA IC's conclusion that the CIA's performance in notifying Congress was inadequate and agrees that the CIA shouldew system to ensure adequate Congressional notification. Similarly, the IOB agrees that the CIA Headquarters and station did not keep ambassadors appropriately informed in several important
Once all the agencies have provided their reports tond the lOB's independent review is complete, the IOB will present to theomprehensive report addressing the full terms of reference, including the overall US intelligence relationship with Guatemalahanging landscape, the coordination of intelligence and policy, the remaining identified victims, the notification of /amines, and management issues. (Tliis is UNCLASSIFIED.)
Excerpts from the Statement by the Director of Central Intelligence on Guatemala Before HPSCI,Read by Jeffrey H. Smith, General Counsel)
I have reviewed the CIA Inspector General's report on intelligence activities in Guatemala, datedommend the Inspector General for thism not pleased to read criticism of any part of the Agency, butave said before, when we have done something right, we should be proud; when we have done something wrong, we must acknowledge mistakes and act promptly to correct
I report to you todayill take in response to theseish to emphasize that these are initial decisions. Final action that may go further than the Inspector General recommendations in some areas must await consultations with my CIA and State Department colleagues.ave made all of my decisions, including any disciplinaryillinal report to
Congressional Notification. The Inspector General concludes that, in the past, there has been an institutional predisposition at CIA against soaring information with Congress. Le! me assure youave taken and will continue to take steps to ensure that Oversight Committees are fully nnd currently informed of all intelligence activities.
I will shortlyw. detailed guidelines and will be Liking other measures, nlong the lines recommended by the Inspector Cener.il to ensure thai we keep Congress fully and currentlylso intend to adopt the Inspector General's recommendation that each Deputy Director and head of independent officeuarterly review to determine whether all employees under their direction have reported to the Oversight Committees.
luistopher on this matter.
Ambassadorialntend to issue new guidance concerning the responsibilities of the Chief of Station to keep the Ambassador informed.
Selection of Chiefs ofhall instruct thexecutive Director forew state of standards for the process of selecting Chiefs of itation and lo ensure that the new policy is followed.
and Reporting Responsibility. Accurate reporting is fundamental to the success of the intelligence process. Regulations cannot solve this problem. Onlv management attention in day to day operations can ensurexpect and require no less.
Human Rightsave asked the General Counsel to review our internal procedures for assessing and acting on assets who may have violated human rights or L'S law. These procedures are especially necessary because the most desirable potential assets frequently have serious problems.
'We do not condone any actions that may "violate US criminal law, and we will continue to report such information to ihe FBI and the Department of Justice, as we did in this case.
Analyticalgree ivith the Inspector General that
Directorate of Intelligence anslvsts should have greater access to'
Fwhen such
interaction will serve to strengtnen the intelligence product. "As part of the new partnership program between the Directorates of Operations and Intelligence analysts have been given improved access,o believe
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there are occasions when greater access isxpect the new Deputv Director tor Operations and Deputy Director tor Intelligence to work to remove remainingThe Directorate of Intelligence must also continue its emphasis on improved analytic tradecraft to ensure th.it ma/or conclusions are supportedtrong evidentiary base.
DO Recordsm directing the CIA Executive Director toajor investment program to modernize Directorate of Operations records keeping and to involve Counterintelligence fully in this effort.
ave asked the Executive Director, General Counsel, and the Chief of Staff to review recommendations concerning accountability of specific Agency employees and report their findings to me.
These changes will improve. The Inspector General Report does not criticize the heart of the Intelligence Community's mission and functions, which continue to be essential for the Nation and to reflect the dedication and skill of its employees.'s isSgfiftSfif
Original document.
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