BACKFIRE

Created: 9/21/1976

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

6

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: BACKFIRE

George Graff, President, McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Division (KcAIR) met with the DCI and the undersigned this date.

The discussion centered on the BACKFIRE analysis conducted by McAIR for the CIA. Mr. Bush reiterated the problems that he had discussed with Mr. Sandy McDonnell in July. Ho advised Mr. Graff that he waswith the pressures being levied on McDonnell Douglas because of the BACKFIRE analysis and with the allegations being made in the press

that CIA was slanting the analysis and biasing the McAIR work by withholding information. Mr. Bush asked whether Mr. Graff had any indication that CIA had put any pressure on McAIR personnel to reach directed conclusions or whether any evidence had been withheld from McAIR analysts. Mr. Graff responded he had discussed these matters with Mr. Harold Altis and others and that no one had been pressured by CIA. Furthermore, he understood

that, unlike the statements in the press, all the evidence had heen

to be examine

available to McAIR. ointed out that because of thej

data, it had been necessary to select

analysts had participated in that selection process to ensureepresentative of the different regimes demonstrated by BACKFIRE wer^useaT Mr. Bush contnented that if any CIA personnel put any pressure on McAIR to slant Its judgments, he wanted to know immediately. Such improper action would result in termination of an Individual's employment with CIA.

3. Mr. Bush added that CIA could not survive if it were shown to be slanting its estimates for any reason. Mr. Bush flatly stated that Secretary Kissinger had not placed any pressure on him to provide judgments which reduced the capabilities of BACKFIRE. Mr. Bush then stated that he had discussed this problem In detail with the President and that his instructions were to produce the best objective judgments possible. Mr. Bush then described the National Estimates procedure. He said that although NFIB by statute was advisory to him, the NIE which would discuss BACKFIRE would present dissenting views as well as the CIA assessment.

IOB RlltASE DATE

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SUBJECT: BACKFIRE

Zi,h he. Hi.not know what Position Air Force would take Jftjyhjy reviewed the HcAIR/CIA analysis and had conducted their own Mr. Graff cormented that in the areas of aircraft performance, analysts tended to personal reaction when another party reached different judgments and then felt forced to defend their previous Th rid ommented on the briefing that had bePn given me last

Mr"otJ1ntooect of Air Force pressure on said that he nad ^formation that it had been applied and thatthe Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

General Keegan' and witb Mr" Sa^ McDonnell

t^ Problem that McDonnell Douglas faced.ld Uke steps t0 ellninate the pressure if -Sflfard spot' Hr- Bush said that no President would tolerate receiving slanted intelligence judgments.

m6* mr:hat two ofonsultants. Generals Shrlever and McKee had advised McAIR that the Air Force was very upset over the McAIRanalysis. Hr. Bush asked whether they were stating their own opinions or were reflecting Gen. Keegan's views as expressedolanders Conference. Mr. Graff said it was the latter. Hr. Bush

advised him that Gen- Kee9an not speakingF0rce inatter* Mr- Bush nad suggested it would be difficult to separate Gen. Keegan from the Air Force if Gen. Keegan had to testify on the subject on the Hill.

nr, JrU Mr;,BnSh aslced if Mr' Graff wasof pressure being placed on McDonnell Douglas' Washington office by Hr. Jim Wade. Mr. Graff said

ftZ3l1 conmented that Mr. McDonnell had advised me of some pressure iron)eople.

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/JBJECT: BACKFIRE

A /'

8. Hr. Graff said that McAIR would continue to work with CIA. He did not expect any pressure to effect McAIR's business. Mr. Bush asked that if such problems arose, he would like to be advised so that steps could be taken to correct the matter. Mr. Bush then thanked Mr. Graff for coming and for the frank discussion which had taken place.

Original document.

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