Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (1/2)
[00.44.19] Mr. WIGGINS. Yes, Mr. Chairman. I yield to the gentleman from California, Mr. Moorhead, for 5 minutes. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes, Mr. MOORHEAD. Yes, Mr. Chairman. During the. SALT negotiations a study was published in the New York Times on June 8, 1969, which spelled out our analysis of the Soviet, Union's strategic strength and first-strike capability. Henry Kissinger said: Each of these disclosures was of the most extreme gravity, as presentation of the Government's thinking on these issues has provided the Soviet Union with extensive insight as to our approach to the SALT negotiations and severely compromised our assessment of the Soviet Union's missile testing and our apparent inability to accurately assess their exact capabilities, Another leak involved the alternatives for ending the Vietnam war. One alternative was a study of a unilateral troop withdrawal for Vietnam and Henry Kissinger said concerning this leak: This disclosure was extremely damaging with respect to the Government's relationship and credibility with its allies, Although the initial troop withdrawn increment was small, its decision was extremely important in that it reflected a fundamental change in the U.S. policy. Certainly this gave to foreign agents information concerning the U.S. capability and plans which were harmful to our position. If the President of the United States had not taken stem to determine where the leaks were coming from he would not have been carrying out his constitutional responsibility to take care of our Nation and its people. I submit to you that when such a leak takes Place at a time when we are at war, when our troops could lose their lives, it is the responsibility of the President to find out where those leaks are coming from and stop them, and that is just exactly what he did. The 17 wiretaps were instigated for the purpose of discovering the sources of these leaks, I know that in the testimony that has been be given to our committee there, was a question raised as to the effect the wiretapping in solving the leaks. Mr. Colson, in his testimony before this committee answered that question. He told us that as a result of wiretaps we were definitely able to close one of the major leaks that had occurred, and, therefore, perhaps save the lives of many of our troops and help this country for the future, I think this ground for impeachment is the weakest of all of those that have been brought up. Certainly there is DO ground to impeach the President of the United States in his attempt to save the lives of troops and the safety of our Nation. Mr. EILBERG. Mr. Chairman? Mr. MOORHEAD. I will yield back my time to Mr. Wiggins, The CHAIRMAN. Mr. WIGGINS. I want to just make a few observations, about the legality of these taps. This matter has been before Congress before. Congress has not litigated into the field. It is well to remember that former Attorney General Richardson, Elliot Richardson, testified before the Senate expressing his opinion that if, in fact, we are talking about national security Wiretaps, it -was wholly legal then and remains so today. That is also my recollection of the testimony of Attorney General Petersen before my friend from Wisconsin's subcommittee not to long- ago when this subject was before it for or consideration. I yield the balance of Mr. Moorhead's time to the gentleman from Indiana. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. DENNIS. Mr. Chairman, just a word on this legal situation. None of us like wiretaps very well, but we are talking here about, what was legal and what was proper as of the time that it was made and as of the time today. Now. at, the time of the wiretaps we are talking about I agree with Mr. Wiggins. the question is was national security involved. That is a factual question. But, if it was, there was nothing illegal about these wiretaps, and it is very doubtful. that there is anything illegal today. It has been held, for instance, in the third circuit that you could have a warrantless national security wiretap used to stem the flow of information out of the Government, and the contrary had never been held at the time -we are now talking about. And now, you have got to think of the climate, as has been said. We Were having leaks about the Pentagon papers. about the SALT talks. about. Vietnam And Henry Kissinger said the leaks about troop withdrawals---- The CHAIRMAN. The I minute of the gentleman has expired. Mr. DENNIS. Have I only got 1 minute? The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from California had 5 minutes and he had consumed 4 and had 1 minute remaining when he yielded to the gentleman from Indiana. The gentleman still has 10 minutes in support of the amendment. Mr. WIGGINS. I will yield if a few moments to the gentleman from Indiana, but let it go to the other side. Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from California. Mr. EDWARDS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to the motion to strike. These 17 wiretaps started On May 12, 1969, as a result, of the Beecher article in the 'New York Times revealing the secret bombing of Cambodia. And I want to correct the record right now. The SALT talks had nothing to do with it. There has never been an allegation that these 17 wiretaps were triggered by any SALT leaks, and there, is nothing- in our evidence to so indicate. Nor did the taps have anything to do with the Vietnam war, or with leaks about, the Pentagon papers. That did not come until nearly 2 years later. Mr. DENNIS. Now wait a minute. Mr. EDWARDS. On your time, my friend, you can straighten it out. Mr. WIGGINS. We shall. Mr. EDWARDS. But that is the fact. [00.51.09]