Overview
This collection of material by and about Richard Helms as Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) and Ambassador to Iran comprises the largest single release of Helms-related information to date. The documents, historical works and essays offer an unprecedented, wide-ranging look at the man and his career as the United States’ top intelligence official and one of its most important diplomats during a crucial decade of the Cold War. From mid-1966, when he became DCI, to late 1976, when he left Iran, Helms dealt directly with numerous events whose impact remains evident today and which are covered in the release.
Made available here is a PDF version of the print collateral that accompanied The Richard Helms Collection.
1972
Helms to Scowcroft “Contents of REFTEL passed to Shah”
Helms for Agency employee re Shah informed new respons …
Agency employee for Helms re Official Announcement
Agency employee for Helms re White House announcement
1973
Report “General View of the Region”
USG statement on Arab-Israeli settlement
Agency employee for Helms received letter of December
Agency employee for Helms re Express thanks to Minister of …
Helms for Agency employee re constancy of US policy toward Iran
Helms to Agency employee re talk about Tehran
Helms for Agency employee re Shah annual vacation
Agency employee for Helms “Fine”
Acknowledge message of good wishes
For William Bromell Lilienfeld’s message of good wishes
Helms for Agency employee re Shah leaves Tehran
For Helms re when is Shah going to Switzerland
Helms for Agency employee re travel to Headquarters
Agency employee for Helms re Tehran message
Helms for Agency employee re Tehran message; Shah left Tehran
Helms for Agency employee re representation of Oil Companies
Request for signed picture of Helms
Ambassador Helms arriving Tehran
For Kissinger, “Your Imperial Majesty” – Message to the Shah
Chief and liaison advised
Identity
Black September action
Tehran to Kissinger re WH 30729 – Shah’s visit
Agency employee for Agency employee re Chinese training of …
Helms to Scowcroft re Credential Presentation to Shah
Agency employee for Agency employee re Chinese support for …
For Helms re no intention of commenting to press
For Helms re John McCone testified before Church subcommittee
To Helms re testimony by Mr. E.J. Gerrity of ITT Public Rela …
Letter for asked advice in connection with debriefing
Munich from Gerhard Wessel thanking Helms for letter and …
Envelope from Helms
Helms to Kissinger re Persian Gulf and Report “The Arab …
Kissinger to Helms re dates for Shah’s visit
Ambassador wishes to know status
Helms to Kissinger re Egyptian plea for US mediation
Helms to Kissinger re Kosygin Arms offer to Shah
Helms to Kissinger re State Visit
Re locations tasked have not responded
Helms to Kissinger re Nixon nomination for peace prize
For the Ambassador re Miscellaneous Jottings
Helms to Kissinger re ban against transfer/sale of American …
Kissinger to Helms re President has been nominated for peace …
Helms to Kissinger re shah’s support of president’s nomination …
Helms to Kissinger re another talk w/Court Minister Alam
Helms to Kissinger re Nobel Peace Prize
re Changes in the strategy of PFLOAG
Helms to Kissinger re audience for Secretary Rush and Sisco
Re Estimate Evaluation on SA-7 in Iraq
Re Israelis only source of info on SA-7 in Iraq
Re review of the FBIS London transcripts of the “Voice of …
Ambassador request to be kept informed
For Ambassador re Probable possession by Iraq of the Soviet …
Re cable summarizing memo on Soviet covert activity
Typed redacted version of “Opening Statement by Director
Request for coorespondence to Secretary of State Rush and …
Schlesinger for Helms re request for Central Intelligence Bull …
Re Howard Hunt’s testimony
Helms to Haig re congratulations
Helms to Gen Alexander Haig re agency back channel message
DCI Schlesinger for Helms re avoiding New York times
Colby for Helms re congratulations on appointment, handwritten …
Colby to Helms “In view of some of the headlines”
“following excerpts from a memorandum submitted 7 May”
General Williamson’s departure
Kissinger to Helms re advice the Iranians could give to Sadat
Re Para 7 of Sana Embassy cable
“Except for Senate Foreign Relations committee”
“After your departure several letters came to light”
“Larry Houston’s recollection in sentence 5”
“Please do correction and sanitization of transcripts at HQS” …
“Senator Symington has expressed”
“Under these circumstances” and handwritten copy
Helms to Kissinger re Richard Ames
transcripts of Helms’ appearances before committees
State courier is country director Miklos
To Maury for Helms re note on 23 Jun record and copy of …
Ference departs Tehran
Helms has reviewed the transcripts of his testimony
Re Senate Foreign Relations 21 May Transcript
Re Helms corrections of transcript Senate Armed Services
DE RUEISS #0819
Kissinger to Ambassador re considering Iran as possible sub…
Re problem of your denial in line 22
Houston and Maury for Helms letter for Senator Fulbright and …
Helms to Kissinger re Iran should not be allowed to join ICCS
Re Supplementary statement for Chairman McClellan and …
“Ambassador would appreciate”
“US Attorney’s office apparently taking serious attitude over …
Houston for Helms re correct issue and Shah visit to US and …
“Do not consider any items classified “
Houston and Maury for Helms “Repeat of message sent to …
Identity legend
Helms unable to attend retirement, sends regrets
Agency employee retirement details
Bio sketch of Arthur C. Lundahl
Message for Helms re Mr. Barbour possible visit w/Helms
Helms for Houston “I left it with Glanzer”
Handwritten memo re Secretary’s audience w/ the Shah
Helms re Your memo relaying Shah’s statement concerning …
Memo and Cable for Helms re Mr. Barbour unlikely to visit Tehran
To Communications officers re Ambassadorial traffic
Helms for Waller re Arthur C Lundahl retirement
Continuation of Dispatch re retirement ceremony
Continuation of Dispatch –“under separate cover we are …
for Mr. Cord re could Helms have address in London
Helms request 6 copies of maps re Problems of the Persian gulf
for Mr. Cord Meyer Tehran cable re invitation to stay
for Helms re Lindsay’s accident
DE RUEISS #0000
Helms to Kissinger re announcement of Shah’s visit
Tehran cable re pouching Ref Maps
Tehran cable Attn: Helms re Donald Exner request Lindsay write
DE RUEISS #0821
Helms to Kissinger re reply to para 1 Tehran cable
Kissinger to Helms re Tehran cable
DE GYEISS #0822
Helms to John Warner F-14/F-15
Kissinger to Helms [WH31822] re info on the Soviet Summit
Houston for Helms re questions on explanations to Senate and …
Kissinger to Helms re Reciprocal dinner w/Shah
Helms to Kissinger re WH31817; thanks for reference
re Mr. Houston may have retired
clarify points and Ervin Watergate Committee
for Helms re 4th of July luncheon in Persian Garden hosted by …
Helms to Gen John Ryan “please pass to George Brown con…
re testimony date hand written copy of cable attached
from Cord Myers to Ambassador re fine with us
Helms to Kissinger re talk w/King Hussein and hand written note
Chief of Israeli Intell. Service will visit Tehran
Transmittal Manifest
arrangements w/Chief Israeli Intelligence service
to Bob Ames for Ambassador re contributions to para 3 of WH …
Kissinger to Helms re Tehran rpt on King Hussein’s latest views
Helms to Kissinger re Iran’s plans for Jordan
Kissinger to Helms “with respect to your Tehran message”
Memorandum for the Ambassador re Contacts w/the Fatah …
Houston for Helms re Stern article of July 10
letter to John Stennis for Helms
for Helms for General Brown, CSAF re thank you and Shah’s visit
Critchfield for Helms re thank you for lunch and mutual interests …
Colby to Helms re thanks
Kissinger to Helms re WH 31917
re inform Helms Barbara Fitzgerald widow of Desmond Fitz…
for Helms to Director re sent condolence
Helms to Kissinger re “At large dinner on Aug 18 given by Quee…
Letter and reply to Mr. R. G. Price re setting up amateur radio …
Helms to Kissinger re congratulations on designation as Sec…
Dispatch re Tehran visit by British writer Kenneth Benton
Helms to Kissinger re WH 31939
Helms for Martin re impression of Ambassador Assad Sadri
to Ambassador Martin for Ambassador Helms re ICCS problem …
Dispatch w/ attached mimeographed article by S. Dedijer entitle…
Cable for Helms to Scowcroft/Hal Saunders re contingency …
Colby for Helms re Kissinger considering cutting INR way back
Cable and handwritten version of cable for Helms re reminder …
Helms to Laird re informal conversation
Helms to Kissinger re private talk with Zahedi
Kissinger to Helms re Tehran cable; Zahedi
Colby for Helms re congrats on swearing in
Helms for Melvin Laird re Tehran cable
for Islamabad re Helms going to Pakistan in Oct not Sep; cable …
SECDEF Schlesinger to Helms re Shah asked for assistance
Helms to Schlesinger re Mr. Hallock
for Helms: re Zahedi mtg w/Egyptians in Switzerland at …
To Helms for Scowcroft/Saunders re identify main issues in …
Colby for Hems “Re Para 3 of Tehran cable, Please.”
Meyer for Helms re pouched mail for Kenneth Benton
Helms to Eagleburger re INR job
Tehran cable Helms for Colby re INR as liaison link to the state …
to Helms for Richard Fairbanks, Domestic Council re last crop …
Helms for Laclair; Meyer on leave; mtg w/Benton and attch cable
LaClair for Helms re Benton appointment and original request …
Letter for Colby to Helms re Legislation and Memo for Kissinger …
Helms for La Clair re Benton appointment
Transmittal Manifest
letter to Imperial Majesty “Best Wishes”
DCI to Tehran re Admin – handling of mail for the Ambassador
Personal mail Ambassador re personal mail being sent to HQ …
for Helms re Significant trends in Peninsula, i.e. Kuwait …
Transmittal Manifest
Helms to Kissinger re Tehran cable; addressing messages
received letter
Helms to Scowcroft re proposed facility
Colby for Helms cable regarding letter from Lucian Truscott …
Helms for Colby Tehran cable re Lucian Truscott and Village Voi…
Helms for Colby re Tehran cable re new legislation problems
Colby for Helms re proposal for change in legislation and visit for…
Scowcroft to Helms re response to Tehran cable
re BHUTTO departed before 17 Oct ref received
Cable to Washington Signal Center
Helms to Kissinger re TU-22 Bombers in Iraq
Helms for Kissinger re Tehran
Helms to Kissinger re cable to Shah from President Sadat
Agency officer for Helms re significant area developments ie …
Scowcroft to Helms re preparations for Secretary’s visit to Peking
Transmittal Manifest
“It has been standard”
re Your service query
“CWO has confirmation”
“Cite Tehran section 1 of 2”
Scowcroft to Helms re thx for reftel
Helms to Scowcroft re Islamabad travel
Helms to Scowcroft re King Faisal requests of Shah
Scowcroft to Helms re postpone visit to Islamabad
Kissinger to Helms re information passed in Tehran cable
Deciphered text
re Exact routes flown by Soviet planes
Kissinger to Helms re do not take offensive military action Israeli…
summons for Prime Minister Bhutto
“Special Watergate prosecutor Cox’s staff focused on”
Warner for Helms re scheduled phone call
John Warner for Helms “will be with Prime Minister Bhutto”
John Warner for Helms re cancel efforts to reach me by telephone
Helms for Warner re telephone numbers
Helms to Kissinger re congrats on Peace Prize
Tehran message: “Bhutto is correct”
Immediate Ankara for Tehran re msg to be delivered to Ali Bhutto
Mr. Schardt for Callahan re did you receive msg?
Message delivered
WH32521 re congratulations
Kissinger for Helms [WH-32513]
re Shah has reported Iraq and Syria have more tanks than Iran
Helms for John S. Warner re meeting w/Archibald Cox and Jam…
Iran and Syria war tank inventory
Agency officer for Helms re conservative Arabs states support of…
Eyes only message, following for Helms re current cease-fire effort
re JIDDA EMBTEL
Agency officer message for Helms re reestablish contact …
Scowcroft for Helms re Larry Eagleburger
Colby for Helms re Hearst reporter
John Warner for Helms
Message for Helms re Kuwait cable: “appreciate ref”
“Exclusive for Helms, with info copy to MG Brett”
report Exclusive for Secretary Schlesinger for Ambass (deliver …
Scowcroft to Helms, “Larry Eagleburger has asked”
Helms for John Warner re appearance of Archibald Cox before …
Houston and Maury for Helms re returning at request of Special …
Helms for Warner re Colby at his confirmation hearing
“Baltimore News American ‘Cox’s Evidence Indicates Helms Lie…
Colby for Helms re testimony
to Colby for Helms “This acknowledges reference”
Helms for Schlesinger re agree w/msg
to Colby, Warner and Cary for Helms re Symington and Nedzi
Message for Helms re conservatism in the area
Message re Kuwait cable, Helms on 4 day trip
routing slip Nov 8 to callahan
John Maury to Helms re info for Helms
Colby for Helms re apologies
Maury for Helms re many thanks
Helms for Maury 28 June 72 memo
Colby for Helms re Lawrence Stern of Washington Post trying to …
Helms for John Warner available to go before the Grand Jury
Helms for John Warner re Mr. Cox
Helms for Maury Ref Andrew St. George article
Ben-Veniste to address request for your travel
Helms for Maury
Tehran travel plans
Helms for Cary re Colby response to letter for Howard Baker
Helms for Maury “conversation with Woolsey”
cable of Washington Post article “Colby, Helms deny CIA fore…
Helms for Houston re wire services have not carried any refere…
re Senator Syminton and National Review
re JIDDA cable, Helms return to Washington
re Tehran cable, Helms arrived Dulles
to Ambass and Mrs. Helms American luminaries
for Helms msg for Mrs. Helms
lttr dated 16 Nov was received
re Letter addressed to Helms by Mr. Carl Macy
Recommend your answer to Mr. Carl Marcy
Transmittal Manifest
Houston and Warner for Helms msg for Special Prosecutor …
Smith for Helms re Lindsay’s visit to New Delhi
“Brezhnev suffers a part-defeat in India”
Newsclipping for International Herald-Tribune Headline “Suslov …
msg to Helms re Tehran cable
to European Brief “USSR: the measured tone of the Foreign Poli…
Memorandum for Ambass. re Brezhnev’s Political position in the …
Memo for the Ambass “Prime Minister Hoveyda”
“Prime Minister Hoveyda asked Am Helms whether Brezhnev is …
Helms to Colby re GOI Interest in A-11/SR-71
“General Hassan Toufanian, Iranian Vice-Minister”
Helms for Maury Three-Hour meeting with Senator Baker
to Helms for John Lehman, “presently on a field trip”
re pouched articles
re Tehran cable
to Saigon fro John Lehman, NSC staff from Helms
Helms for Maury re Senate Armed Services Committee party …
Helms for Colby “does not involve the CIA or our people”
Helms on Watergate
Eyes only for Angleton from Helms
Helms for Maury Washington Post headline “Hunt’s Role in 1964…
re Islamabad cable
Personal for Helms for Byroade; “Foreign Secretary Shahi”
