Page 547 of 703

MORI DocID: 1451843

[SECRET]

26 January 1975

MEMORANDUM FOR: General Counsel

SUBJECT : Intercept of Communications in the U.S.

1. CIA is intercepting at our communications site [REDACTED]
high frequency, international radio tele-
phone calls originating [REDACTED] in New York and being
broadcast to South America or being directed to New York
from South America. Some calls are relay calls through
New York but not originating or terminating there. The
calls involve both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.

2. [REDACTED]
The intercept team screens the telephone calls
[REDACTED] for drug-related matters. NSA receives the traffic from
CIA in the form of magnetic tape.

3. I would appreciate your very early views as to
where this intercept activity falls with respect to U.S. law.
Even if it is legal or we can secure the necessary authoriza-
tions, it seems to me there is extra flap potential associated
with reports going into the BNDD mechanism, particularly
since they may well become the basis for executive action.

(Signed)

Acting Chief, [REDACTED]

Distribution:
Orig & 1 - Addressee [REDACTED]

FULL TEXT COPY - DO NOT RELEASE

[SECRET]

00537

[REDACTED]

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