To Spy Chief Casey, ‘Heard of’ Is Not the Same as ‘Learned’

A brief exchange between CIA Director William J. Casey and reporters after Casey had completed testimony in a closed session of the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday shows that he makes a distinction between when he “learned” of the diversion of Iran arms sales funds to Nicaragua’s contras and when he first had “heard of” it.

The exchange took place in a Capitol hallway. Casey has said that he learned of the controversial funds diversion from Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III shortly before Meese disclosed it publicly on Nov. 25. But he testified Wednesday and Thursday that New York businessman Roy M. Furmark, a former client of his law practice, had mentioned a Central American link in a conversation with him on Oct. 7.

A transcript of Casey’s exchange with reporters:

Question: Did you have rumors or indications last spring about the possible diversion of funds to the contras? (As reported in the Wall Street Journal this week.)

Answer: No, that’s wrong.

Q: Did you first learn of this last spring?

A: I first learned about this when Meese told everybody.

Q: When did you get your first inkling?

A: I don’t know what you mean by an inkling.

Q: When did you launch an investigation into it?

A: I didn’t launch any investigation.

Q: When did you begin asking questions about it?

A: Oh, right away, early on.

Q: When was early on?

A: I don’t know.

Q: Before Mr. Meese informed you of it, did you start asking questions?

A: Oh, I had questions about it, yeah.

Q: To whom did you ask questions?

A: (Answer unintelligible.)

Q: When you had questions, was that because of your conversation with Mr. Furmark?

A: That did precipitate the questions, sure.

The exchange ended when Casey entered an elevator and its doors closed.