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. .. Approved For Release 2008/11/06 : CIA-RDP04M01816R000502010009-4 7 e I. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINS, CONDUCT AND TERMINATION OF CIA MAIL OPENING ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. Investigations conducted by the Rockefeller Commission, the Senate Select Committee, and the Department of Justice dis- close that between 1953 and 1973 the CIA engaged in five separate projects involving the opening of mail in United States postal channels. The "East Coast Project" began in 1953 "· and ended early in 1973; the "West Coast Project" was carried out intermittently from 1969 to 1971. Three remaining projects were of brief duration and ended more than a decade ago. Pro- secution for violations arising out of all but the East Coast Project is barred by the statute of limitations. A. East Coast Mail Project In 1952 the CIA, investigating the possibility of gain- ing positive and operational intelligence information from first- class mail to or from the Soviet Union, found that all such mail was sent through postal facilities in the New York City area. Postal inspectors were contacted and, with their cooperation, plans were made for CIA personnel to conduct ·surveillance of United States-Soviet mail. In February 1953, when the program was implemented, CIA personnel from the Office of Security were permitted to examine and copy (by hand) information from envelope exteriors A roved For Release 2008/11/06 : CIA-RDP04M01816R000502010009-4