LETTER TO ADMIRAL HILLENKOETTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01617A000300280003-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 20, 1998
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: January 3, 1949
• Content Type: LETTER

ApproveFor Release : CCIIA-RWDP78-0161 0030280003-2
EC01.13 MC COOPERATION AD1,a1_.._L_STRkT10N'
Washington 25, D.C a
S January 1949
Rear Admiral .Uillenkoetter
Central Intelligence Agency
In connection with our preparation for hearings before Uongrress
for a necond appropriation for the European Recovery Program,-
via expect to be required to discuss the question of Es,t-We;t
trade rather fully in executive sessions before one or sere Con-
gressional committees. As you know, Section 117 (d) of the For-
eign Assistance Act of 1948 has given the Economic Cooperation
Administration certain responsibilities relating to control of
the movement of certain military and strategic items to Eastern
Europe. In this regard, we anticipate questions from Congress
asking the significance of Western trade to the S~flviet-orbit
countries. Therefore, I should like to urgently request that
your agency undertake an analysis of the significance of Uester
European trade to the success of the Communist-planned economies
of Eastern Europe.
i
If possible, this study should indicate the immediate goals of
the current plans of all of the Soviet-orbit gover?nmeuta, par-
ticularly those goals relating to industrialization and mechani-
zation of the economies. The study should indicate the extent to
which the Soviet Union is willing to aid the satellite govern-
ments in achieving their goals for industrialization, tt ak i.ng into
consideration at the same time the degree to which Soviet import
policy from these countries is hampering their development.
When this part of the analysis has been completed it should be
possible to determine, to some extent at least, the minimum trade
required from Western Europe in order to fulfill, the plans. If
possible, it is desirable that this be done in ter-m, o.f commodi-
ties, particularly such commodities as steel, machine -tools, pe-.
trolcura products, electrical equipment, ball-bearings, precision
nstrur.?ents and diesel anginas. Finally, it would be desirable
to have an estimate from the Central Intelligence Agen-,y as to
the political and economic impact on Soviet goals if such trade
from the West were out offs
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Inasmuch as ? c arinF,s before Congress will commence around the
middle of Jenusarry, it viouid be desirable to have this study
completed at least by the last of January. I roalize that such
short notice vaa.ll not periii.t a 'fall and exhaustive piece of
research. Ibvever, I believe it desirable for our purposes
that an immediate estimate of this situation be made,
Sincerely yours,
Administrator
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