Security intelligence broke its silence this week to give Victoria students reassurances about security police and university students.

In an unusual move, they provided their file eopy of a former security man's June, 1965, resignation for publication.

And they discussed the situation before, during, and after the Auckland University security incident with a Salient reporter.

Vuwsapresident Chris Robertson contacted Security Intelligence following rumours within the university that Mr. Quennell is still an active security agent, despite his protestotions to the contrary.

Mr. Robertson told Salient that, having contacted Mr. Quennell, he then approached Brigadier Gilbert of Security.

"He agreed that Mr. Quen-nell's previous employment should not be allowed to jeopardise his relations with the university." Mr. Robertson says.

Letter released

Brigadier Gilbert then made available the office file copy (see picture) of Mr. Quen-nell's resignation from the security service.

Mr. Robertson told Brigadier Gilbert that this would be reproduced for the benefit oi all students and "outside organisations."

At the same time, a Salient reporter was engaged in negotiations with Security Intelligence which led to a statement from them — the first newspaper interview on the Auckland affair which Security Intelligence has given.

"The Service considers that the mass of recent assertions relating to the Auckland University 'affair,' most of them emotive, exaggerated and in some cases false, has not invalidated (Security's) 1965 statement released to Salient." Salient was told.

Old statement

This statement said that Security Intelligence "has no interest in student politics or in campus activities, nor do 'security policemen.' 'stringers,' or 'contacts' snoop round student forums or debates." (Salient, July 18, 1965).

Continuing its comments, Security Intelligence says:

"The Security Service does not have 'security agents' established at universities in New Zealand to study university activities nor has the Service any interest in everyday campus activities.

"There has been no inquiry made at a university or 'investigation' at a university that could be interpreted as a 'threat to academic freedom.'

"No reports have been solicited or made on statements made by staff or students at lectures, seminars, tutorials or student forums.

"Nevertheless, the Service must retain its right, as in the past, to instruct its staff to make inquiries at a university it there is reason to believe that a matter is of security interest.

"It has a duty to follow Communist and Communist front activities and the possibility of espionage wherever these may occur.

Russian visit

"The Security Service has a legitimate interest in the visit of the two Russian representatives of the Student Council of the USSR in February, 1966, and subsequent developments," Security told Salient.

Their interest was said to be two-fold.

"First, in connection with manoeuvring between the Western ISC and the pro-Communist IUS.

"Second, the possibility, if exchange visits eventuate, of Russian students coming to this country previously briefed for intelligence purposes, and the possibility of any of our students, while in Russia, being compromised for the same purpose.

Continued On Page 3 See "Security Assurance."