HOPELESS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000300490028-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 21, 2000
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: September 1, 1964
• Content Type: NSPR

NEW TIMES
Approved For Release 2000/08/26 : CIA-RD 1964
NO. 39
FOIAb3b
CPYRGH+IOPeless
Last month there was quite a furor
in the United States over a confiden-
.tial memorandum submitted by Wil-
lard Matthias, a top CIA official. The
press accused him of questioning
Washington's ability to, win the war
in South Viet-Nam. Many wondered:
whence this defeatism in a senior
intelligence officer?
Now everything has been made-,
clear. The CIA's reputation as an
instigator and generator of cold war
has been fully re-established.
Richard Dudman, Washington cor-
respondent of the St-Louis Post Drs-
patch, obtained a copy of the memo-
randum. Its purpose, he says, was to
induce the government to expand,
CIA operations. What Matthias pro
Poses (according to Dudman) is care-
fully camouflaged subversion In Asia,?
Africa and Latin America, instead of
outright military intervention as in
South Viet-Nam.
"In many places," the memorandum
says, "the sitpation may he so soft,
the issues so undefined, and the par-
ties so difficult to Identify that out-
side powers will be unable to develop
an acceptable rationale for interven-
tion. Thus, many situations will be
resolved by local leaders or groups
sponsored and supported covertly
from the outside. This will be art at-
tractive course of action, not only
because of the inhibitions upon in-
tervention; but because it will often
cost so little In money and effort If
an investment Is made early enough
to be effective."
Matthias leaves out of account a
very pertinent and import..mt factor:
in Asia, Africa and Latin America
the number of "local lcadcr;; or
groups" prepared to net us paid CIA
agents and follow its 'attractive
course of action" is rapidly diminish-'
ing. Besides, in many of these ceun-
Approved For Rele -p 90000215 - ".J f75-00001 R000300490028-2