MEETING WITH RICK GILMORE RE BRIEFING OF SENATOR DICK CLARK

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP77M00144R000300050037-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 7, 2001
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: October 20, 1975
• Content Type: MFR

g?pffpENTIAL
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SUBJECT: Meeting with Rick Gilmore re Briefing of
Senator Dick Clark
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1. On 17 October 1975, I met with Rick Gilmore in his office
is on Soviet grain production at the request of
and to discuss with him the briefing for Gilmore
and Senator Dic lark on the Soviet Union in preparation for their
proposed trip. Gilmore was friendly but it is obvious that he still
does not understand CIA's role. During the meeting he constantly asked
for information on various matters handled by different departments and
agencies of the U. S. Government. I explained to him again that the
Agency does not normally have any information on the U. S. Government
end of contract negotiations, policy decisions, etc. and that for this
information he would have to turn to the State Department, USDA or other
entities which handled those matters. I told him the only thing we
would have on grain deals, etc., would be information gleaned from our
2. As to the Research Aid on Soviet Grain 1960 - 1973, Gilmore
stated that, while useful and interesting, it was not responsive to
the request from Senator Church. He said he worded the Senator Church
letter as he was told to do in a previous briefing given him by OCI and
OER and what he was looking for were memos prepared by CIA as backgrounders
for top level policymakers. Basically, what he is looking for is information
on short and long range information on Soviet grain production; an assessment
for the Soviet crop year 1975/1976; assessment of future grain production
in terms of new acreage devoted to grain; possible increase in planting and
its effect on Soviet planning based on an increased demand for feed operations,
etc. I told him it was my understanding that the document I delivered was
pursuant to his request but that I would discuss his response with the
appropriate analysts. It is su gested that we now go to the fallback
25X1A position mentioned in October 9, 1975 memo to the DDI, that is,
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the preparation of a blind memo on grain estimates which Gilmore can
come out and read. I have discussed this matter with and am
25X1A forwarding a copy of this memo to him.
3. Re the briefing for Senator Clark: Gilmore and a member of
the personal staff of Senator Clark, Andy Lowei, will also be present.
Lowei is Senator Clark's personal representative on the Foreign Relations
Committee staff. Senator Clark proposes to leave for Moscow on
November 23 and return by way of Portugal. The briefing has been
tentatively scheduled for Friday, Novem er 14 or Monday, November 17.
Gilmore stated that Senator Clark would like to be briefed to the
extent possible on the following:
a. any information we have concerning the long term
grain purchasing agreement, its background and
current negotiations;
b. to what use the Soviet Union will put U. S.
grain purchases;
c. how the importation of U. S. grain fits into
Soviet domestic planning and planning for Soviet
grain supplies to COMECON and other countries
such as India;
d. relationships, if any, between Soviet grain
imports from the U. S. and Soviet grain export
plans, in other words, how does CIA see Soviet
domestic grain requirements vis-a-vis any grain
export plans they may have, both short and long range,
to COMECON nations and other important nations;
e. what changes can we expect in the future based on
current and future Soviet grain production;
f. what are Soviet domestic grain priorities and what
is the allocation of grain in those priorities; in
other words, what is grain used for first, second,
third (food?, livestock feed?, milling?) and what
percentage of Soviet grain supplies is allocated to
each;
where do Soviet grain exports fit into their priorities
and what weight is given to those priorities vis-a-vis
exports to other countries;
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h. what changes in priorities can be expected as the
Soviets turn more and more to the importation to
U. S. grain;
i. what influence would various possible U. S. actions
have on those priorities;
what is the connection, if any, between Soviet grain
imports and oil exports and how has the matter been
handled by the Soviets;
k. how do the Soviets view the signing of a grain contract
with the U. S. compared with the reserve proposal of
London or elsewhere;
1. what are the chances of the Soviets entering into
agreements with other nations for grain in line with
the world food policy; and
m. Soviet grain storage: capacity, as well as stocks
on hand and reserves.
4. He also would like to get any information we could supply
on the items listed below. I told him that we would not have much
information on these matters but I would check to see. They are:
a. what is involved, procedurally, in contracting
for U. S. grain;
b. who should the suppliers be;
c. why are contracts with grain suppliers made abroad
and not within the U. S.;
d. will grain supply contracts under the agreement be
made abroad or in the U. S.;
e. what discussion on price, if any, is made in the
agreement;
f. has any thought been given to which grain supply
companies should get what percent of the contract;
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g. is there any limitation on Soviet participation in
the U. S. future's market;
h. can the Soviets purchase in the future's market before
the agreement is in effect and without their identity
being made known to USDA; and
i. what are the details on transportation and the terms
thereof; and will they be U. S. carriers, foreign
carriers, or mixed.
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5. At the briefing, either Gilmore or Clark intend to raise
questions re the recent newspaper articles by Dan. Morgan and particularly
why USDA was surprised that CIA gathers intelligence on the world grain
market.
6. According to Gilmore, Senator Clark taught Soviet studies at the
University of Iowa and should be fairly knowledgeable in general terms of
the Soviet Union. Gilmore would also like to have a list of key individuals
we feel Senator Clark and company should talk to on Soviet grain, both as to
political--economic and commercial aspects.
Assistant Legislative Counsel
25X1A
Distribution:
/Orig - OLC Subject
1 - OLC Chrono
1 - - OCI
OLC:THW:ndl (20 October 1975)
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