The Times of London on the CIA revolt against JFK, 1961-1963

[Paul Rigby]

From our own correspondent, “CIA Is Blamed for Laos Crisis: Washington Policy Conflict – Encouragement of General Phoumi,” The Times, Thursday, 24 May 1962, p.14

The Times, Thursday, 25 October 1962, p.15
Review: C.I.A.

Andrew Tully: Central Intelligence Agency, the inside story (272pp Arthur Baker. 21s.)

This is a brief, brisk, readable and well-informed survey of how the Central Intelligence Agency came into being and how it has extended itself beyond the routine business of gathering information into a whole series of direct political manipulations and other adventures all over the world. The list if fairly long. It includes Guatemala , Iraq, Iran, Algeria, East Germany, Hungary, Egypt, Korea, the U-2 incident, Laos, the Congo and Cuba. Degree of involvement has varied from full-scale king-making to low-level infiltration.

Mr. Tully gives his verdict on the result in each case. Sometimes it is approving, often mixed, and sometimes strongly critical. His broad conclusion seems to be that, in spite of many mistakes, the agency is extremely skilful in the collection of information, but too often hopelessly misguided in political action, especially in its tendency to back “strong men” whose only recommendation is their anti-communism. Fortunately, as Mr. Truly explains, President Kennedy is making an effort to control its political activities and to confine it more to its original role as an objective supplier of intelligence.