THE WHITE HOUSE. DP'A oy Fol *70-3R WASHINGTON February 17, 1970 ‘TO: The Secretary of State e Sceretary of 5 ‘The Director of Cemral Tntelligence SUBJECT: Responsibility for the Conduct, Supervision and Goordinacion of Covert action Operations T have determined that it is essential to the defense and security of the United States and its efforts for world peace thot the overt forcign activities of the U.$. Government continue to be supplemented by cavert action operations. By covert action operations I rean those activities which, although designed to further official U.S. programs and policies abroad, are so planned and execvted thot the hand of rhe U.S. Government is not apparent to unauthorized persons. The covert actions of the U.3. Governnent abroad shall be subject to coordination and control by the Director of Central Intelligence. ALL such covert action operations, unless otherwise specifically ageigned by the President, shall be carried out by the Centrsl Intelligence Agency. The Director of Central Intelligence shall be responsible for assuring th and conducted in a manner cor covert action operations ate planned stent with U.S. foreign and military policies, and for consulting with and obtaining appropriate coordi- nation from any other interested agencies ov officers on a need-to- know basis. The Director of Central Intelligence shall obtain policy approval for all major and/or politically sensitive covert action prograns through The 40 Conmittoe, The 40 Comuittce as presently constituted consists of the Assistant to the Presidext for National Security Affairs as Chairman, the Attorney General, the Under Secretary of Stace for Political Affairs, the Peputy Secretary of Defezse, and the Director of Central Intelligence. The Director of Central Intetligence will be responsible for insuring an anaual review by The 40 Cexmittee of all covert wetion programs previously approved - UNCLASSIFIED emma lyUNCLASSIFIED Also subject to The 40 Comsittee's policy review and specific operational wissica approval are the following programs origina- ting in the bepartment ofp tho wontity Joint Reconnais- since Center Schedule Fons o Furthernnrc, any proposals fof Covert aethereres OF eperverone frop ageueics not represented on The 42 Commitee shal} be s@bject to that committee's approval unless otherwise directed by the Prosident : ‘ Covert action operations shall include any type of activity necessary to carry out approved purposes except that chey will not include armed confiict by regular military forces, of cover and deception for active military operations by the armed forces of the United States. This directive supersedes and rescinds NSC 5412/2 Ag fl AL: ce: The Attorney General The Assistant to the Prosident for National Security Affairs