RADIO COMMUNICATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND EFFECT OF RECIPROCAL RADIO AGREEMENTS ON INTERNAL SECURITY OF UNITED STATES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78S05450A000100160022-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 15, 2000
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: August 17, 1954
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2004/05/05: CIA-RDP78J450A0001
SECRET
Un telt Otates Mepartmeut of Justice
Aeberat ureou of fnvestijattou
a trot ton 25, 11. T.
August 17, 1954
(
RE: RADIO COMMUNICATIONS IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES AND EFFECT OF RECIPROCAL
RADIO AGREEMENTS ON INTERNAL
SECURITY OF UNITED STATES
ILLEGIB
Reciprocal radio agreements between foreign
countries and the United States, whereby foreign governments
are granted the right to operate radio stations in the United
States in return for similar rights in their countries, pose
many serious internal security problems.
It is obvious that such radio facilities set up in
an official or uasi-of icial establishment of a foreign
vvernment would be use extensive at government's
ntelligence service as well as by i'tsy,di.plomat c stajT. In
t event of an emergency involving the United States and a
government having such radio rights, the United States would
be in no position to control the foreign government's communi-
cations. This, of course, would work to the great disadvantag
of the United States.
It also must be realized that radio transmissions
can be sent at such a high rate of speed as to make inter
otton most dt icu.lt'.`"+} Even when proper interception is
6fecc etime -consuming problem of decipherment remains
with no guarantee of success. It is believed that the amount
of radio traffic resulting therefrom would be considerable.
SECRET
*FBI DApproved or elease 2004/~5/~ t~ CIA-~DPTS05450A000100160022-8
MEMORANDUM
 Approved For Release 2004/05/05 : CIA-RDP78SO545OA000100160022-8
r?r
SECRET
It is understood, of course, that limited reciprocal
rights would be negotiated with a few select foreign governments
when deemed to be in the best interest of the United States,
however, it also must be considered that in the field of inter-
national affairs, a friendly nation today is not necessarily
a dependable ally tomorrow.
Benefits which accrue to the United Sates by virtue
of the establishment of radio stations in foreign countries are
apparent.- Reciprocal arrangements permitting foreign governments
to operate radio facilities in the United States would add
considerably to the internal security problems already facing
United States domestic intelligence agencies.
For reasons set out herein this Bureau is opposed
to such reciprocal agreements as would permit foreign govern
ments to operate radio facilities in the United States.
Approved For Release 2004/05/05 : CIA-RDP78SO545OA000100160022-8
- SECRET -
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