MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SPECIAL GROUP 24 FEBRUARY 1964

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP67B00558R000100060044-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 3, 2008
• Sequence Number: 44
• Publication Date: February 24, 1964
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2008/09/03: CIA-RDP67B00558R000100060044-6
State Dept. review
completed
NSI: Keview Completed.
NGA Review
Completed.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
24 February 1964
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Special Group,
24 February 1964
PRESENT: Mr. Bundy, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Vance, and Mr. McCone.
Following the COMOR and USIB meetings, the Special Group met
at 1130, 24 February 1964, to discuss the following USIB approved
requirements:
a. Comprehensive coverage of South Vietnam in
connection with the strategic hamlet program;
b. The preparation of a study (including an
engineering analysis of the capability of the perti-
nent roads) from available photography of the road
net of concern, any important gaps to be identified
for coverage in the near future;
c. As near as possible daily coverage of roads
and logistic routes from North Vietnam to South Vietnam
through Laos and Cambodia, the results to be the subject
of continuing analysis by MACV and Washington Intelli-
gence Community to determine whether the data acquired
are of sufficient value to warrant continuation or
require modification of the program;
d. Pre- and post-strike reconnaissance of 34A
targets.
Mr. McCone noted that he had pointed out at the USIB meeting
that it was illusory to believe that daily coverage would result in
consistent comprehensive coverage of Viet Cong infiltration and
build-up. The past record just does not support such optimum achieve-
ment in this theatre. Mr. McCone pointed out that, with the exception
of truck convoys, NPIC, in five years of experience, has not found
photographic evidence of Viet Cong infiltration. Another considerable
factor is weather; for the past 34 days most of the weather has been
in category 4-5. Mr. McCone stated that the forecast was that the
weather would deteriorate for the next 90 days due to the approach
of the monsoon season.
IDEALIST/TACKLE
BYE 26508/64 (Series B)
copy I of 5 copies
TOP SECRET,
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 C
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The Group agreed that Saigon should develop an immediate
capability to process film locally if the tactical information
was to be of use.
It was the agreed position of the Group members that, to
carry out the above recommendations in paragraph a. and part of
paragraph c., three SAC U-2 aircraft, using unsanitized military
aircraft and crews, will be based in Saigon. The decision will
e cleared with_ m Lid e and General Khanhwill be so
informed. General Khanh, however, will be operationally advised
only of the South Vietnam mapping coverage.
Peter Jessup
Distribution
Mr. Johnson
Mr. Vance
-?,.?.,:Mr. McCone
25X1
,Series B)
copy -2-- 01 D copies
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