Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (2/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (2/2)
[01.31.22] Mr. LATTA..... And let me direct my attention in the few moments that we have to another- area that concerns me.. because -we have touched upon it so lightly. In fact, I heard somebody say, and I am sure he said it in jest, something about it is a bugaboo, and I have reference to national security. National security. What are -we talking about? We are talking about, protecting the lives and the security of 220 million Americans. That is what we are talking about. So, let, us not talk about it lightly. I happen to be one who since I have been in the Congress of the United States who has supported a strong national defense, a strong national defense. We cannot be second. We have got to be strong, and we are talking about national defense as a bugaboo issue? I think not. The President, of the United States was concerned about leaks right after he took office. Now, let us take a look at what he was talking about. Where were these leaks coming from? Were they coming from somebody's bridge club or out of some nonsensitive agency of the. Government? We, know better than that. They were coming from no other place than the National Security Council. Now, -who sits on the National Security Council? Staff members? The President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, along with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General by designation of the President. Now, they do not talk about rules for a handball game. They discuss and make the policy for the defense of this country, your defense, my defense, our children's defense. That is what they do. And these leaks that concerned the President of the United States were coming directly out, of that National Security Council. Now, what were they? Many of our colleagues here today have alluded to them, and I do not want to duplicate what they have, said. But, let me, point out that about, every time the National Security Council would make a decision, a couple of days later-, and I hate to mention- newspapers, but I must, the New York Times would publish it or the Evening Star. Would this not concern you? It concerned Me. It concerned the President. Let me give you just one. On April 6, the New York Times prints a front page article indicating U.S. consideration of unilateral withdrawal, June, 1969, shortly after a decision had been reached to begin initial withdrawal of troops, the New York Times and the Evening Star reported this decision indicating that it -would be made public following the meeting, following the meeting -with the South Vietnamese President Thieu. Leaks damaging Dr. Kissinger's diplomatic efforts to end the war. For the South Vietnamese Government to hear publicly, of our apparent willingness to consider unilateral withdrawal without first discussing the matter with President. What does this do to our credibility? Damaging leaks had been occurring with regard to the SALT negotiations, and they had been discussed, and the internal uses by our Government of the strategic force posture. A study was made to determine what programs should be adopted relative to our country's, get this, deterrent conventional and nuclear capability. The study included five possible strategic options from an emphasis on offensive capability to heavy reliance on anti-ballistic missile systems. Costs even were discussed. Notwithstanding the obvious need for secrecy of this study------ [01.36.21--TAPE OUT]