Did Katzenbach ever explain his now infamous memo either in his memoirs or interview?

[Edwin Ortiz]

I've often wondered if Katzenbach who was liberal and liked by RFK ever tried to explain the purpose of his memo to Bill Moyers. The memo was not released intil 1994 but he died in 2012 I'm sure he was asked somewhere ? Any replies would be appreciated.

[Peter Lemkin]

I've often wondered if Katzenbach who was liberal and liked by RFK ever tried to explain the purpose of his memo to Bill Moyers. The memo was not released intil 1994 but he died in 2012 I'm sure he was asked somewhere ? Any replies would be appreciated.

I'm not aware of him ever explaining where that imperative came from - from himself [I highly doubt] or where; however, that in no way means he didn't attempt to do so.

[Jim DiEugenio]

That memo was declassified for the HSCA and was presented to them in public.

Katzenbach said he wrote it because the State Department was bugging him about questions abroad. About a conspiracy.

But he never mentioned that Hoover had written a memo similar to it the night before.

Or that Rostow had talked to him about setting up a blue ribbon committee right before he wrote it.

[Edwin Ortiz]

Thanks

That memo was declassified for the HSCA and was presented to them in public.

Katzenbach said he wrote it because the State Department was bugging him about questions abroad. About a conspiracy.

But he never mentioned that Hoover had written a memo similar to it the night before.

Or that Rostow had talked to him about setting up a blue ribbon committee right before he wrote it.

[Joseph McBride]

Katzenbach discussed these matters extensively but still
somewhat evasively in his HSCA testimony.