WORKING GROUP - COMMITTEE ON BROADCASTING AND TELEVISION (COBAT)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01634R000300030012-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 11, 2000
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: June 28, 1956
• Content Type: MIN

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OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD
Washington 25, D.C.
June 28, 1956
MEMORANDUM OF MEETING: Working Group - Committee on Broadcasting and
Television (COBAT)
19th Meeting held 2 p.m. June 27, 1956
OCB Conference Room
Working Group Members Present:
USIA - Robert E. Button, Chairman
ICA - Gerald Winfield
State - Sydney B. Jacques
Florence T. Dowling (alternate)
T. H. E. Nesbitt - Chairman, TPIB
Defense -Col. M. E. Williamson
CIA -Representatives present
0CB -Ralph Busick, Staff Representative
Marjorie Denny, Staff Assistant
Others Present:
State - Charles C. Finch
USIA - G. F. Dooher
James Flood
OCB - Kenneth P. Landon
1. Copies of a memorandum from the Chairman of TPIB containing recommend-
ations on "Radio Broadcasting Facilities for Libya" were distributed to the
members of COBAT. These were submitted at COBAT's request. The technical
panel proposed that consideration be given to the establishment of a 10 KW
shortwave and 10 KW mediumwave station in the vicinity of Tripoli, or to the
establishment of FM type broadcasting if existing receivers were not to be the
determining factor; also that a survey be made by competent consulting engi
neers to determine the feasibility of the project, and the terms of reference
for the study be reviewed by TPIB.
Discussion brought out agreement as to the political justification
and the urgency for development of broadcasting facilities in Libya, particu-
larly in view of recent sharp curtailment of USIS activities there. COBAT
accepted TPIB's recommendation that an engineering study be made and, at
COBAT's request, the TPIB Chairman agreed TPIB would draft terms of reference
for the study. In view of the urgency of the situation, the TPIB Chairman
recommended consideration be given to the idea of shipping to Libya on a loan
basis a 50 KW complete mobile mediumwave unit now stored in Germany.
The Committee agreed that it was imperative to learn from the mission
the Libyan reaction to such a proposal, and a sub-committee of the ICA and
State representatives, together with the State Libyan desk officer, was
appointed to draft a joint State/ICA cable to Libya stating that it is a
matter of urgency that the mission initiate a survey; requesting that pending
results of this survey the Mission give its views on the temporary expedient
suggested above; suggesting that at the Ambassador's discretion the British
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should be informed of the project informally; and mentioning the offer of the
technical services of military personnel based at Tripoli for the purposes of
a preliminary survey.
2. At the request of the Chairman, the Defense representative agreed to
look into the problem connected with the use of USIA films on military TV
stations, and prepare a memorandum for USIA on the subject.
3. Mr. Landon gave a general summary of the situation in Vietnam, where
the country teams have agreed as to the need for more radio broadcasting to
the Vietnamese. After a brief discussion it was decided to postpone this
agenda item until the next meeting, by which time all of the committee members
were asked to have preliminary positions on Despatch 375 of May 31 from Saigon.
4. With reference to the television situation in Lebanon, the State
Department representative pointed out that it was evident from Beirut's
Despatch No. 73 that the mission believes the establishment of television
on American standards most important since all recommendations were built
around it. In view of the fact that this despatch crossed the outgoing cable
coordinated through COBAT last week, and partially answered this cable, the
State Department recommended a follow-up cable should be sent at this time.
The Committee agreed that it should be pointed out to Beirut that under the
circumstances the establishment of U.S. standards was not en r se the U.S.
.objective.
5. The subject of 0CB reporting under NSC 169 was discussed. It was
the consensus of COBAT and TPIB that in view of the fact that the first 0CB
report,, requesting formalization of OCB reporting. responsibility,'had not yet
been considered by the NSC, no steps should be taken toward the preparation
of another report. Furthermore, it was recommended that the OCB try to find
out from 0DM whether or not its report will go forward sooh, and if not, OCB
should request the NSC to consider its report separately. As soon as the NSC
had considered the OCR's initial report and formalized the reporting arrange-
ment, plans should then be made for independent OCB reports on a regular
schedule.
6.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 5 at 2 P.M.
Tentative agenda:
1. Member's views on Saigon Despatch 375
2. Report of sub-committee on cable to Tripoli
3, Report from Defense on use of USIA films on military TV stations
4. Exploration of Austrian radio & TV situation
Ralph R. Busick
Staff Representative
SECRET
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