Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXV, Organization of Foreign Policy; Information Policy; United Nations; Scientific Matters

94. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson)¹

Washington, December 9, 1961.

Please follow up on this:

1. CIA now provides certain support to private organizations of an educational or philanthropic nature.

2. These covert funds become the subject of common gossip, or knowledge, both here and abroad.

3. Covert funds draw suspicion upon the organizations concerned and, indeed, may bar them from entry into certain countries.

4. Covert funds scare away funds from other sources which do not wish to become involved with CIA-type activities or purposes.

5. In most cases, there is no need to conceal that funds are being provided by the U.S. Government. (See marked portions of attached.)²

6. Every effort should be made to move from covert to overt support in many of these cases. This might involve inter-agency transfers of funds from CIA to overt agencies such as AID or CU in the Department.

7. What can be done about this in connection with such organizations as (a) Asia Foundation, (b) African student activities and (c) possibly others?

Dean Rusk³

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Chron Files, December 1961. Secret (Special Handling).
2. Not printed.
3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.