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2225Z 09 June 1967 transmitted message text from
U.S.S. America to Chief of Naval Information


P 092225Z JUN 67
FM USS AMERICA
TO CHINFO
INFO CTF SIX ZERO
COMSIXTHFLT
CINCUSNAVEUR
USCINCEUR
BT
C O N F I D E N T I A L
AP NEWS COPY
1. AN ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY DATE LINE "ABOARD THE CARRIER
AMERICA, JUNE 9 BY BOB HORTON SAYS IN PART:
"THE OFFICIAL EXPLANATION FOR THIS NONCOMBAT SHIP BEING SO NEAR
THE FRONT OF THE ISRAELI-EGYPTIAN FIGHTING WAS THAT THE LIBERTY
WAS TO (QUOTE) HELP PROTECT AMERICAN NATIONALS AS THE POSSIBLE
NEED TO EVACUATE BECAME APPARENT (UNQUOTE).
THE LIBERTY WAS ONLY 15 MILES OFF THE SINAI COAST.
"BUT AN OFFICER SAID: (QUOTE) TO PUT IT BLUNTLY, SHE WAS IN THERE
TO SPY FOR US. RUSSIA DOES THE SAME THING. WE MOVED IN CLOSE TO
MONITOR THE COMMUNICATIONS OF BOTH EGYPT AND ISRAEL. WE HAVE TO.
WE MUST BE INFORMED OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN MATTER OF MINUTES.
(UNQUOTE). "THE LIBERTY, THIS OFFICER SAID, WAS LOADED WITH
ELECTRONIC EQUIP-MENT CAPABLE OF RAPIDLY ACQUIRING DATA AND
TRANSMITTING INTELLIGENCE REPORTS TO POSTS THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE
EAST."
2. THE ALLEGED OFFICER'S STATEMENT QUOTED BY MR. HORTON IS NOT
BASED ON ANY CONTACT WITH AN OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN, NOR IS IT
ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY KNOWN OFFICER IN AMERICA. SECURITY AT THE
SOURCE HAS BEEN STRESSED. DISCRETE INVESTIGATION BEGUN.
3. MR. HORTON'S COPY WAS NOT SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW FOR SECURITY OR
ACCURACY AND IT WAS NOT TRANSMITTED BY NAVY COMMUNICATIONS. IT IS
BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN SENT ASHORE IN A SEALED ENVELOPE PLACED
TOGETHER WITH OTHER MEDIA MATERIAL ON A COD AIRCRAFT WHICH
DEPARTED AMERICA FOR ATHENS AT ABOUT 091030Z.
GP-4
BT

Message subject lineage: 100624Z JUN 67 CTF SIX ZERO