Le Cercle (formerly Pinay Group[1], also called the Pinay Circle[2] or the Cercle Pinay[3]) is a deep state milieu which is two years older than the Bilderberg, but considerably smaller and much more secretive. Members from around 15 countries meet yearly in both Washington DC and Europe. Leaked documents[4] suggest that the group's activities include political subversion and the clandestine arrangement of business transactions, especially arms deals and fraud. The group is closely connected to the 1979 Jerusalem Conference on International Terrorism which laid the groundwork for the "War On Terror".
“Formed in the Fifties, Cercle was intended to cement Franco-German relations, as a buffer to Soviet aggression during the Cold War. Down the years, however, it has become much more, advocating right-wing causes round the world and growing into a confidential talking shop for about 70 politicans, businessmen, polemicists and personnel from the diplomatic and security services. Members are invited to attend its meetings; they cannot ask to be admitted, and as a condition of attending they agree to keep all sessions secret. It meets twice a year, once in Washington DC in the autumn and once in the early part of the year in an "overseas" venue.”
Chris Blackhurst (28 June 1997) - [5]