</s>176-10030-10422 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK ASSASSINTATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY : NARA RECORD NUMBER : 176-10039-1042 RECORD SERIES : Sorensen Papers AGENCY FILE NUMBER: ORIGINAL NUMBER # : ORIGINATOR : FROM : Schlesinger, Jr. TO : President Kennedy TITLE : Memo to President CIA Reorganization Date : 30/30/1991 PAGES : 15 SUBJECTS: CIA DOCUMENT TYPE : Memoranda CLASSIFICATION : Unclassified RESTRICTIONS : 1C CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 8/21/1998 OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : Soresen Papers: Classified Subject Files 1961-64 Box 47, CIA, Document 1a. NW 49061 DocId: 32622644 Page 1

Summary:  
This memorandum, dated June 30, 1961, is a classified CIA reorganization proposal submitted to President John F. Kennedy by Schles, Jr., critiquing the agency’s autonomy and its role in covert operations. It argues that the CIA’s independence has led to excessive risks and potential harm to U.S. foreign policy, citing historical instances such as Guatemalan and Iranian operations where publicized successes or missteps undermined objectives. The document advocates for stricter oversight by the State Department, proposing reorganization to align clandestine activities with broader foreign policy goals. It also discusses integrating CIA personnel under State Department cover (Controlled American Sources) and critiques paramilitary and political operations for conflicting with democratic principles.  

Key People:  
- Schlesinger Jr. (author of the memorandum)  
- President John F. Kennedy (recipient)  
- Allen Dulles (CIA Director referenced in historical context)  
- Secretary of State (implied as a key oversight authority)  
- Ambassadors and foreign officials (e.g., those in Singapore, Pakistan, Japan, Algeria)  

Key Locations:  
- Singapore  
- Pakistan  
- Japan  
- Algeria  
- Paris  
- Vienna  
- Chile  

Key Events:  
- CIA’s involvement in covert political operations and paramilitary activities (e.g., Guatemalan, Iranian, Cuban operations)  
- Historical tensions between CIA and the State Department over operational control  
- Discussions on reorganizing CIA to reduce autonomy and enhance State Department oversight  
- Use of Controlled American Sources (CAS) in foreign embassies  

Key Organizations:  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- U.S. State Department  
- Foreign Office (British intelligence system referenced as a model for oversight)  
- National Security Council (NSC Directive mentioned)  
- Bureau of Intelligence and Research (BIR)  

Summary:  
The text discusses internal debates within U.S. intelligence agencies regarding organizational restructuring, including separating research/estimate functions from operational units to prevent bias in intelligence assessments. It references concerns over the Cuban operation (likely referring to the Bay of Pigs invasion) and proposes creating a Deputy Secretary of State for Intelligence, a Joint Intelligence Board with White House representation, and reorganizing CIA into a National Information Service. The Office of National Estimates is noted for its role in assessing intelligence independently.  

Key People: None directly related to JFK or assassination investigation. Mentions include hypothetical roles (Deputy Secretary of State for Intelligence) but no named individuals tied to the JFK case.  

Key Locations: No specific locations mentioned. References are general to agencies and departments (e.g., CIA, State Department).  

Key Events: Discussions about reorganizing intelligence structures, debates over separating research from operations, and hypothetical scenarios involving Cuban operations. No direct references to JFK’s assassination or related events.  

Key Organizations: CIA, State Department, Office of National Estimates, Joint Intelligence Board, National Information Service (proposed), Foreign Research Agency (proposed)

JFK Declassified Files

176-10030-10422.pdf

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