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0936Z 10 June 1967 transmitted message text from
Commander, Sixth Fleet to Joint Chiefs of Staff

O 100936Z JUN 67
FM COMSIXTHFLT
TO JCS
INFO CINCLANTFLT
CNO
USCINCEUR
CINCUSNAVEUR
BT
C O N F I D E N T I A L
PERSONAL FOR GENERALS WHEELER AND BURCHINAL AND ADMIRAL MCCAIN FROM
VICE ADMIRAL MARTIN
A. JCS 092310Z JUN 67 (NOTAL)
B. DEF 6610 (U) DTG 302008Z MAY 67
1. REF A ASKED CERTAIN QUESTIONS CONCERNING STATEMENTS TO THE PRESS
IN CONNECTION WITH A STORY FILED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IN CONNECTION
WITH THE USS LIBERTY INCIDENT.
2. ANSWER TO BOTH QUESTIONS IN REF A IS YES. THE FOLLOWING IS
PROVIDED IN AMPLIFICATION:
   A. REF B WAS RECEIVED ABOARD COMSIXTHFLT'S FLAGSHIP
310650Z MAY 67 AND ABOARD CTF 60'S FLAGSHIP 302233Z MAY 67. IN
RESPONSE, THE FOLLOWING STEPS WERE TAKEN:
      (1) ITS CONTENTS WERE MADE KNOWN TO ALL OFFICER AND
ENLISTED PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS DUTIES BY COMSIXTHFLT'S
AND CTF 60 PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS.
      (2) WIDE INTERNAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE MESSAGE WAS MADE
IN AMERICA, LITTLE ROCK AND COMSIXTHFLT AND CTF 60 STAFF PRIOR
TO THE TIME NEWSMEN CAME ABOARD.
      (3) USS AMERICA NOTICE 5050 OF 29 MAY 67 WHOSE PURPOSE WAS
QUOTE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ASSIGN RESPONSIBILITY FOR VISIT OF
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ON BOARD AMERICA. UNQUOTE WAS DISTRIBUTED
ABOARD THE AMERICA CONTAINED THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH QUOTE SEC-
URITY. THE NEWS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT HOLD CLEARANCES. SEVERAL
ARE EXPECTED TO BE FOREIGN NATIONALS REPRESENTING U.S. NEWS AGENCIES.
NONE OF THE NEWSMEN HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO BE EXPOSED TO CLASSIFIED
INFORMATION. UNQUOTE. THIS NOTICE RECEIVED WIDE DISTRIBUTION
INCLUDING AMONG OTHERS ESCORTS AND ROOM STEWARDS.
      (4) THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS MADE TO ALL HANDS BY CAPTAIN
D.D. ENGEN, COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE USS AMERICA, OVER THE SHIPS
INTERIOR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ON 29 MAY, PRIOR TO THE
ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST GROUP OF NEWS MEN. QUOTE TOMORROW WE WILL
HAVE NEWSMEN OF THE WORLD PRESS COMING ON BOARD. ALL HANDS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO BE POLITE AND GIVE THESE PEOPLE THE TYPICAL
AMERICA HOSPITALITY. EVERYONE MUST REMEMBER THAT SECURITY OF
CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IS OF THE UPMOST IMPORTANCE. TALK ONLY ABOUT
UNCLASSIFIED PORTIONS OF THE JOB THAT YOU DO IN AMERICA. DO NOT SAY
ANYTHING ABOUT MATTERS THAT OCCUR OFF THE SHIP. REMEMBER THAT
WE HAVE SECURITY AREAS WITHIN THE SHIP WHERE MANY OF US CANNOT GO.
IF YOU SEE A NEWSMAN IN ONE OF THESE AREAS POLITELY BUT FIRMLY
ASK HIM TO LEAVE. IF HE DOES NOT LEAVE ADVISE YOUR DIVISION OFFICER
IMMEDIATELY. UNQUOTE.
3. NO NEWS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN ABOARD LITTLE ROCK
EXCEPT ON TWO AND THREE JUNE. NO ONE IN CONTACT WITH NEWS MEDIA
ON THESE DAYS KNEW OF THE LIBERTY PRESENCE OR CAPABILITIES EXCEPT
COMSIXTHFLT AND HIS CHIEF OF STAFF.
GP-4

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