◆ SpookStack

:·, .. :,, .. } Approved For Release 2008/11/06: CIA-RDP04M01816R000502010009-4 10 The Department has been unable conclusively to estab- lish whether, as recommended in the January 4, 1954,· memoran- dum, and as suggested by certain individuals in testimony before the Rockefeller Commission and Congress and in state- ments to Department representatives, the CIA obtained authoriza- tion from President Eisenhower to open and read mail. There is, however, evidence suggesting that President Eisenhower had knowledge of and had approved the CIA's East Coast opera- tion. Opinions regarding President Eisenhower's knowledge and approval were expressed by close associates of both President Eisenhower and DCI Dulles. Their judgments are based on experience with government operations, and their own knowledge of the individual characteristics and habits of Eisenhower and Dulles. For example, one high level official stated that no substantial CIA operation would have been undertaken without at least tacit White House approval. Another expressed the opinion that the CIA mail operation was the type of operation which would have been cleared with President Eisenhower by Allen Dulles. This same official recount~d a Cabinet level discussion with President Eisenhower in which the reading of incoming Soviet mail was raised, but he was uncertain about the context in which the subject was dis- cussed. Still anpther official in the Eisenhower Adminis- tration said it is "inconceivable" that Allen Dulles would A roved For Release 2008/11/06: CIA-RDP04M01816R000502010009-4