275. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for Domestic Affairs (Ehrlichman)1
SUBJECT
- Overview of the FBI’s Domestic Collection of Foreign Intelligence, Counterintelligence and Counterespionage
As you know, we had several exchanges with John Mitchell while he was Attorney General about the possibility of putting the overview of certain internal security programs under the NSC. However, we were unable to reach a final agreement as to which programs could best be conducted under the aegis of the NSC.
It occurs to me that now might be a good time to consider taking steps both to improve our counterintelligence and counterespionage [Page 623] programs and to improve coordination and cooperation between the FBI and CIA. One step might be to add an FBI representative to the new NSC Intelligence Committee which would then add to its responsibilities the overseeing of the FBI’s counterintelligence and counterespionage activities. It would also make certain that there is an effective FBI program for the collection of foreign intelligence domestically. The NSCIC would also be in a position to ensure full coordination between the Bureau and the Agency in these matters.
I would appreciate having your views on this suggestion.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 7, HAK Administrative and Staff Files—Memoranda Dispatched from WB, Sept. 1971–1974. Confidential. Sent for action.↩