Rep. James Traficant Letter to John M. Deutsch
Director of CIA
!
June 11, 1996
The Honorable John M. Deutsch
Director of Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear Director Deutsch:
I am writing to express my deep concern over several cases involving brave foreign nationals who risked their lives to serve the United States and have been abandoned by the Central Intelligence Agency.
The cases involve foreign nationals who were recruited by the Central Intelligence
Agency to perform intelligence operations. These individuals entered into "arrangements" with the CIA in which the CIA promised the operatives a $25,000 annuity, U.S. citizenship
and other benefits. The foreign nationals provided valuable intelligence services for the
CIA, in many instances placing their own lives in grave jeopardy. It is my understanding
that in these cases, the CIA never honored the commitment it made to these men.
There is one case in particular that I believe the CIA is quite familiar with, that of
Boris Korczak. It is my understanding that Mr. Korczak has filed a lawsuit against the CIA
seeking compensation for the services he rendered the CIA and the United States. For your
information, I am familiar with previous correspondence the CIA sent to Mr. Korczak, Mr.
Korczak's attorney and elected officials. Since this case is currently in litigation, I will not
ask you to address his request. However, I do respectfully request that you personally
examine Mr. Korczak's case and the history of the CIA's treatment of Mr. Korczak.
Let me state that I fully understand the CIA's policy of neither confirming or denying the existence of a covert intelligence relationship. However, that policy in no way absolves the CIA from its responsibility to honor commitments it made to foreign nationals who put their lives on the line to serve the interests of the United States. I am deeply concerned that the plight of Boris Korczak is not an isolated incident.
The plight of perhaps dozens of foreign nationals who have been lied to and
mistreated by the CIA raises troubling issues of fairness and justice. Equally as important is
the negative impact the CIA's behavior has had and will have on the ability of the CIA to
recruit foreign nationals, and prevent disgruntled foreign operatives from becoming double
agents. This is a real problem.
I know you are man of honor and great integrity. Once again, I respectfully urge
you to personally examine the case of Boris Korczak and others like him who have been
gravely wronged by the CIA. I would be happy to provide you with additional information
on Mr. Korczak's case, as well as information on other foreign nationals who formerly
worked for the CIA.
The Honorable John M. Deutch
June 11, 1996
Page Two
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
James A. Traficant, Jr.
Member of Congress
JAT/pm
c: The Honorable Larry Combest
The Honorable Norman Dicks
