Evaluation of Foreign Service Reporting

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01082A000200060002-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 20, 1998
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: January 4, 1949
• Content Type: MF

Approved, For Rase 2001/03/04: DP79-01uG,~2A000200060002-1
4 January 1949
MMORANDUM FOR: ALL BRANCH AND GROUP CHIEFS, ORE
SUBJECT : Evaluation of Foreign Service Reporting
Letter to the Director of Central Intelligence From
RFFFI3.E'NCE
the Assistant Secretary of State dated 31 December 19L.8m
1, The Assistant Director, ORE has directed the Plans and Policy Staff
to px'a are for submission to the Director of Central Intelligence the
information requested in referenced letter, copy of which is attar=neck.,.,
2. Primary emphasis is on the specific questions, but this i n;:bt
to be construed as precluding additional pertinent information.
30 In order to meet the action deadline, it is necessary that each
branch or group have its reply in the hands of the Plans and Policy "?r.aff
officusr of cognizance by the close of business, Thursday, 6 January 1(24cl
4Q Plans and Policy Staff officers will be available for such
assistance as may be required.
25X1A9a
Deputy Chief
Plans & Policy Staff
Attachment
Letter to Director of Central Intelligence from Assistant
secretary of State, dated 31 December 1948 (Copy).
DOCUMENT NO. 4;2~_
~ O CHANGE IN CLASS. ^
'/`I 0ECLASSIFIED
CLA^S. CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT R V!EW DATE:
AUTH:. Lib 70,
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
December 31, 1948
My dear Admiral Hillenkoetters
I have noted with considerable interest the appraisals
on economic and commercial reporting made by end-users in the
various departments and agencies of our Government here in
Washington. I feel sure that we are in agreement as to the
need for the constructive criticisms and carefully evaluated
commendations which they have provided on foreign reporting
servicesa
I hope you will concur in my feeling that it reflects
great credit on the unified Forei?l Service to have about
two-thirds of the total reporting performed on economlo and
commercial subjects rated by gaashington end-users as eevery good"
and "Exoellent". An additional thirty per cent is rated as be-
ing only "adequate' or merely "satisfactory", and less than
one per cent is found to be "unsatisfactory" or "deficient".
While much deserved credit for this record goes to the
many conscientious reporting officers in the Foreign Service,
I feel a considerable portion is also due to the end-users
ter the cooperation they have extended in appraising the re-
porting that they have received. Without doubt, these a6mments,,
critical or otherwise, have encouraged better reporting, stimu-
lated morale, and assisted greatly in providing supplementary
guidance to the men overseas. They will prove even more useful
if we are successful in obtai4 g f`undss. Par.. the personnel in-
creases necessary to expand spot reporting and made possible a
greater degree of promptness in submission of required reportse
As you are doubtless aware, the Hoover Commission on
Government reorganization has been studying the operations of
the Foreign Service, both in the Washington office and in the
field and is expected to present in January some recommendations
bearing on our organization. In order to enable me to answer
precisely and fully any questions that may arise as to the
views that are held by the various end-users, such as yourself,
on the efficacy of the service that the Foreign Service is
currently rendering, both in Washington and in the field, would
you, at your convenience, favor me by giving answers to the
following series of questions:
THE C.I.A. HAS NO OBJECTION
TO THE DECLASSIFICATION OF
THIS DOCUMENT.
No. t
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1. As an over-all observation on the reporting services
of primary interest to your Agency, how do you regard the caiib_r
of the work presently being performed by the Foreign Service fog
your Agency?
S, To what extent, if any, do you feel that the service
thus rendered you falls short of your optimum desires, citing
if possible speoifio instances?
3n What speoifio sugrrestions ;do you have for improving
the ohara;oter. of the field work, including functions other than
reporting, which is now rendered you?
4. What is your feeling about the character and adequacy
of service you are receiving from the Office of Foreign Service
and its various divisions in Washington? In the past year, do
you feel that it has improved, remained static, or retro ;rossed1
Do you have any speoifle reoc,omaaendations for improvement?
I know that you will be completely frank in your response :.o
the above questions? As your agent in work abroad, the Foreign
Service earnestly wishes to do everything possible to service
your requests in a manner as nearly approaching your desires an
possible within personnel limitations and its overall responsiv-
bilities.
Your counsel on this matter will be deeply appreoiatedo
Sincerely yours,
/a/ John E. Peurifoy
John E. Peurifoy
Assistant Ssoreta:7y
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