1340Z 19 June 1967 transmitted message text from
U.S. Commander-in-Chief, Europe to
Chairman, Joints Chief of Staff

C O N F I D E N T I A L VHN 2140 EYES ONLY

THIS MORNING I REVIEWED INFORMALLY WITH JACK MCCAIN AND IKE
KIDD THE FINDINGS OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY AND THE PAO ASPECT IN
CONJUNCTION THEREWITH. I UNDERSTAND THAT SECNAV AND SECDEF
ARE PUSHING TOWARDS A WEDNESDAY RELEASE OF THE SANITIZED ACCOUNT
OF WHAT HAPPENED RE THE LIBERTY. JACK AND I HAVE SERIOUS CON-
CERN THAT UNLESS THE SCENARIO FOR SUCH A RELEASE IS VERY CARE-
FULLY WORKED OVER BY EXPERTS AHEAD OF TIME, BLURTING OUT EVEN THE
SANITIZED VERSION IN AN ATTEMPT TO IMPRESS THE PRESS WITH OUR
FRANKNESS AND RESPONSIVENESS COULD JEOPARDIZE THE WHOLE
COVER STORY WE HAVE PROTECTED TO DATE. LIBERTY NO LONGER A
FRONT PAGE ITEM AND IT WOULD SEEM THIS HASTE NOT MERITED IF IT
MAY IN FACT JEOPARDIZE SECURITY ASPECTS [OF THIS] AFFAIR. HOPE YOU
HAVE A TRUSTED ADVISOR WHO CAN CHECK INTO THIS ONE VERY CAREFULLY
AND PROTECT OUR INTEREST. WARM REGARDS.

Note: This message should be read as strictly a personal note.