IN SEARCH OF OCCAM

To the Editors of The Crimson:

In its quest for ideological simplicity The Crimson has grouped four separate issues together into the editorial "Abolish the CIA" (January 14). One must distinguish between foreign CIA activities aimed at gathering information and those aimed at toppling legitimate governments. Domestically, one must distinguish CIA spying from surveillance carried on by the FBI.

While on one hand it would be pragmatic to obtain a national consensus to stop toppling governments, on the other hand it would be quite reckless to throw into the package a halt in legitimate intelligence gathering. It is still important to track terrorist groups and foreign military movements. One must have a very unrealistic picture of the world to deny this.

As for domestic spying, the controversy is over the violation of the specific prohibition on the CIA's involvement in domestic spying. Domestic spying is supposed to be the sole responsibility of the FBI. While we all sympathize with The Crimson's desires to preserve freedom of expression in this society, the vast majority would agree that the government should know what certain radical groups have planned.

The activities of the CIA in domestic spying and government toppling are profoundly disturbing. The CIA must be kept under wider review by both the Legislative and Executive branches of the government. However, it would prove to be a very reckless course to insist on a package deal which would end all intelligence operations. Michael Segal '76