DISTRIBUTION OF AQUATONE ENGINEERING FILM REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000200360023-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 30, 1998
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: April 11, 1958
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2000/04/11 : d f *-p33-024154000200360023-4
SAPC-26370 Y"
CopyOof 9
11 April 1958
NE24ORADDUM FOR: Project Director
SUBJECT : Distribution of AQUATONE Engineering Film Report
REFERENCE : SAPC-25096, dated 7 Apr 58
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and I have read the referenced memorandum, authored
by which deals with the question of release for showing
in various quarters of the Project Engineering Film Report, prepared
by - with which you are familiar.
2. Walt has made what are some quite pertinent observations
regarding ways of controlling who sees the film, through the instru-
mentality of clearance requirements equal to those in effect for Phase
III. He has done this, however, without knowledge of Agency policy
regar elease of material of this sort to persons outside
CIA. and I feel that before you authorize any arrangement
which will make this film available to persons outside the Project
or the Agency, you may wish to consider some of the implications:
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a. While the film does not mention sponsorship, it does
contain, and in fact centers around, the development
of a photo-reconnaissance capability in the U-2 - a
fact which we have gone to some lengths to conceal
except from service sources. Certainly, our cover
story goes to considerable lengths in the opposite
direction - admitting only a 6 inch tracking camera
capability.
is prominently mentioned by name
in the film, and of course a considerable portion
of the action includes shots of and
environs. If we are to return at some date to
M under cover of other than development of a
photo-reconnaissance capability, this aspect of
the film leaves something to be desired in my mind.
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Approved For Release 2000/04/tVr, (jpP33-02415A000200360023-4
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C. Mindful of what you have said about the apprehension
existing in high political circles about AQUATONE,
its mission and past performances, we do not feel that
to embark on a program of this sort outside the Agency
is a particularly defensible proposition, despite
the security controls set forth in Walt's paper. We
do not see any present requirement to "sell." AQUATONE,
either in industry or the services, and this film
is basically designed to do just that.
3. It is true that there may be occasions when the showing of
this film may not o be indicated but highly desirable, but the
two cases cited by in paragraph 1, (a) and (b) of his memo-
randum, seem to us requirements arising out of-curiosity-rather than
necessity.
1+. However, if you do feel that it is timely to respond to requests
such as the two examples cited we would propose not only the adoption
25X1A9a of the controls proposed b but retention by you of approval
to conduct showings, with the decisions to be made on an individual
case basis. It would be appropriate to suggest also that as many as
possible of the showings be conducted under Project aegis preferably
on our own real estate, so that we may be sure who has actually come
into possession of this information.
5. It is our further suggestion that the copies of the film
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be blanketed in under similar restrictions on who may view them.
I believe that informal enjoinders against showing them indiscrimi-
nately have been given the persons concerned, but it would be helpful
25X1A9a if these were formalized by and his staff.
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sb (L1 Apr 58 )
rector of `Administration
PS/DCI
Approved For Rel 12000/04/11: CIA
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WOP
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Distribution:
.1 & 2 - Addressee
3 - Dep Prof Dir
4-Ops
5 -Mat
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