◆ SpookStack

President reportedly: Raised certain questions as to the right of a [Congressional] committee to ask questions on foreign policy affecting the security of the United States. He commented that when this is demanded as a right you are "sunk," and wondered how much right have they got, inasmuch as the Constitution says that it is the responsi- bility of the Chief Executive. 75b/* In an attempt to divert attention from the Agency~ Chief, WHD apparently forwarded a suggestion that the Agency sponsored Cuban exile organization, the FRD, publicly acknowledge that it was involved in sponsor- ing the military training in Guatemala. Jake Esterline, however, noted that such an admission would contradict statements already issued by the Government of Guate- mala; and he also emphasized that it would be used by * It is assumed that this was a. Special Group meeting. In addition to the President, the attendees were the usual members of the Special Group on Cuba -- National Security Adviser Gordon Gray, Secretary of Dejense Gates, Deputy Secretary of Defense Douglas, Under Secretary of State Merchant, Assistant Secretary of State Mann, and Ambassador Whiting Willauer. (Wil- lauer was Eisenhower's appointee to assist the incoming Kennedy Administration in the transfer of the anti- Castro activities.) The memorandum of the meeting, however, was prepared by Colonel J. C. King, Chief, WH Division, not by Thomas A. Parrott who normally acted as Secretary for Special Group sessions. 75c/