Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917–1972, Volume VII, Public Diplomacy, 1964–1968

134. Memorandum From the Secretary of the Cabinet (Kintner) to President Johnson¹

Washington, February 18, 1967, 12:45 p.m.

Mr. President:

Re the CIA publicity, which is of course going to increase with ramifications, would it be a good idea to get President Truman, even though I know he is ill, President Eisenhower, and Allen Dulles to defend the necessities, the proprieties of the CIA activity? While I think it is important to separate and strongly support the CIA, Dulles does have a stature, particularly in the East. I think he is a good friend of the Senator from New York,² which might also be important in a story that is obviously going to be played up tremendously over the next few weeks.

Robert E. Kintner³

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Agency File, Box 10, CIA Funding of Private Organizations. Personal. At the bottom of the memorandum Johnson wrote: “yes but suggest to Nick & ask him to talk to Clark C [Clark Clifford] if he thinks ok. L.”
2. Presumably a reference to Robert Kennedy.
3. Kintner signed “K” above this typed signature.