Glossary | 15-16 June Messages | Message Tables | U.S. Messages page

2141Z 16 June 1967 transmitted message text from
Chief of Naval Information to
Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and
Commander, Middle East Force and others


P R 162141Z JUN 67
FM CHINFO
TO CINCUSNAVEUR
COMIDESTFOR
CTG 60.1
CTF 61
CTF 63
COMSIXTHFLT
CINCLANTFLT
CTG 60.2
CTF 64
INFO CINCPACFLT
COMSIXTHFLT
BT
UNCLAS
SIXTHFLT HEADLINE REPORT 16 JUNE 1967
1. SEVERAL PAPERS CONTINUE REPORTS ON LIBERTY INCIDENT. DREW
PEARSON IN THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS OF THE ATTACK THAT EITHER
THE AMERICAN COMMANDER OF LIBERTY WAS NEGLIGENT OR THE ISRAELI
MILITARY GOT HEADSTRONG AND ATTACKED THE SHIP REGARDLESS OF
ITS FLAG, OR BOTH. THE COLUMN ADVANCES ANOTHER THEORY THAT
LIBERTY, WITH A NAVY CREW, WAS UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE CIA...
AND THE CIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILING TO NOTIFY THE ISRAELIS
OF HER POSITION. ST. LOUIS DISPATCH ARTICLE SAYS LIBERTY IS
ONE OF MANY INTELLIGENCE GATHERING SHIPS OPERATED BY THE NAVY
FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY. BALTIMORE SUN ARTICLE SAYS
"NEWS BLACKOUT VEILS ISRAELI ATTACK WHICH KILLED 34", AND
ATTRIBUTES SILENCE TO INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT, WHICH WILL
TAKE ABOUT A WEEK.
2. WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS (15 JUNE) CARRIED AN ITEM WHICH IMPLIES
THAT RUSSIA IS BEEFING UP HER SEA POWER IN THE MID EAST. [...]
3. SEVERAL PAPERS HAVE REPORTS THAT THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT HAS
ASKED THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN TO LIQUIDATE THEIR
BASES IN LIBYA AND WITHDRAW THEIR FORCES AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE
CONVENIENCE.
4. ALL MEDIA GIVING HEADLINE TREATMENT TO ANNOUNCEMENT THAT
SOVIET PREMIER KOSYGIN IS TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES TO REPRESENT
THE SOVIETS AT THE UN IN CONNECTION WITH MIDEAST DEBATES. [...]
5. DUE TO LACK OF NEWS ITEMS CONCERNING SIXTHFLT, THIS REPORT
IS BEING DISCONTINUED. IN THE FUTURE, SIMILAR REPORTS WILL BE
SENT WHENEVER SIXTHFLT UNITS RECEIVE MAJOR INTERNATIONAL NEWS
COVERAGE.
BT


Note: Only news relating to Liberty incident and Sixth Fleet reproduced.

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