24 February 2000
Source: Fax from Margaret Newsham, who will be on 60 Minutes Sunday, February 27.

See other reports about Newsham:

http://cryptome.org/echelon-baby.htm

http://cryptome.org/menwith-mn60.htm

April 19, 1988

Ms. Deana Rasor
Project Director
Project on Military Procurement
422 C Street, N.E., third Floor
Washington, D. C. 20002

Dear Ms. Rasor,

Thank you for bringing to my attention the concerns of Ms. Margaret W. Newsham, who was employed by a major defense/intelligence contractor. I will be pleased to meet with Ms. Newsham at the Intelligence Committee offices toady. This meeting, which will be attended by fully cleared members of the Intelligence Committee's staff, will be held in confidence. The Committee will not make any attributable use of the information we are provided without consulting with Ms. Newsham. This includes discussions of the fact of our meeting. In light of Ms. Newsham's right to provide information to this Committee, I request that you inform me of any harassment or intimidation directed at Ms. Newsham as a result of our meeting. Any such harassment or intimidation predicated solely on her conversation with me will not be tolerated.

With respect to Ms. Newsham's desire to bring an attorney to the Committee offices, I have no objection, but will insist that any conversation concerning classified information be conducted only with her. The attorney may be consulted in another room if that is desired.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

LOUIS STOKES
Chairman

Margaret Newsham said by telephone today that when she met with Chairman Stokes and staff, its counsel impatiently queried her credentials as if thinking, she laughed, "what could this dumb blonde know."

After a brief exchange, Ms. Newsham asked Mr. Stokes if everyone in the room was cleared for hearing top secret information. Mr. Stokes said yes.

Ms. Newsham says she spoke only a few words naming the work she did and what it involved. The Committtee counsel lept up pale-faced with shock and asked to leave the room. Others present said nothing, only stared at Ms. Newsham in astonishment. The counsel returned after a few minutes, the shocking information apparently confirmed, and with the greatest deference gently asked Ms. Newsham to continue, to take all the time she needed. Which she did, to increasing astonishment and entranced silence from others in the room.

Ms. Newsham says that what she told the Committee has never been revealed. At least two Freedom of Information Act requests concerning the session have not been answered.