MINUTES OF THE GEOGRAPHIC RESEARCH AREA STAFF MEETING, 11 JULY 1955

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01096A000200050011-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 21, 1998
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: July 11, 1955
• Content Type: MIN

Approved For Release 1999/09/21 CIA-RDP79-01096A0OOO00050011-7
MII1UTES FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC RESEARCH AREA STAFF MEETING, 11 JULY 1955
25X1A9a
1. A report on the status of foreign intelligence for the
25X1A9a period 1 January to 30 June 1955 is due by 15 July 1955. This is the
brief Semi-Annual report to the NSC and emphasizes trends and prospects.
requested that statements be prepared on foreign map
procurement, geographic intelligence and photographic intelligence.
25X1A9a
2. announced that the tour of the Geographic Area
25X1A9a by s expanded to include a number of people from St/A
and St/I. 25X1A9a
3, 11111 quoted from ORR Regulation R70-2 concerning the
functions of St PC and commented that the AD/RR is concerned about
the fact that some Geographic Area research projects have not been
reported to St/PC until after they were completed. The AD/RR depends
upon St/PC for knowledge of project activities and all requests for support
should come first to St/PC. It was commented that some projects are
initiated in answer to informal requests with the understanding that a
formal request will follow, and in such cases the formal request may not
arrive until after the project is completed. It was decided that in
such cases the Division involved should notify Ch/G and St/PC of the
informal request either ^y-; telephone or by quickly typing the project
initiation memorandixm L:.d hand carrying it. If St/PC is notified. by
telephone of informal r3-}vests, it should be stated that the information
is _ntended for use in tho -:eekly project status report.
25X1A9a quoted portions of ORR Regulation R5-2.1 on
- ins Arthori_ty" concerning the Geographic Area. It was noted that
this regu1^tion has not been complied with in all cases although it
still is in effect.
5. The group discussed the recent memorandum of conversation
by concerning "Basic Map
Library for Emergency Use". The following suggestions were made.
I. No change.
II. 1:100,000sbould be largest-scale, except for a few
special areas. The space study should cover the
world including the United States.
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suggested that scale indicators should be available.
suggested the possibility of getting lists of maps held by AMS 25X1A9a
at their repository, and said he would investigate the possibility
of gI%uch a list and placing it with the emergency map collection.
Mr. commented that D/GC is preparing a list of cartographic
reference materials. D/GG and D/GP are preparing lists of their reference
that
include maps, which will be coordinated by D/GL.
25X1A9a 7. mentioned tha has been named a delete
to the PAIGH meetings, and that Mr. Guthe will try to get
named as an official observer.
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III. Include the Bombing Encylopedia and a complete set of
the USAF "Ports and Airfields of the World".
IV. D/GG Regional Branches will prepare lists of key cities
for their region, and D/GL will make sure that city plans will
be available for those cities. will investigate
For Rel
V. Add Industrial and Vegetation Categories.
VI. No change.
VII. No change.
VIII. A collection of azimuthal-equidistant sheets should be made.
D/GC and D/GL will cooperate on this.
IX. Globes and plastic hemispheres for calculating distances
should be included.
X. The collection should include a complete set of HO charts,
coastal pilots, and light lists.
XI. Include up to 25 copies each of selected outline base maps.
commented that at the AD's staff meeting it was noted
of St/I will coordinate with OCD lists of reference
ts submitted by all the ORR Divisions. This will not
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8. announced that the Industrial Photo Intelligence
Course will start on Tuesday and that it is hoped to later establish
a course in Geographic Photo Intelligence and a course for DD/P on
Ground Photography Techniques.
9. reported that the next meeting of the group on
Intelligence Ground Photography will be this Thursday at Fort Holabird.
will be chairman.
25X1A9a 10. commented that D/GP has been working on a new
format for PI reports. A sample of the proposed format was given
25X1A9a to
25X1A9a 11. of D/GP has prepared a statement on available
materials dealing wi power and communications in the USSR.
25X1A9a 12. commented on a "Crash" project for Mr. Stassen,
which involves seven maps that have to be completed by Wednesday
afternoon.
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*13. Copies were passed around to the group of a proposed
revision to the paper on Career Development in the Geographic Area.
suggested that the last two sentences of the
first paragraph be deleted. After some discussion, it was decided
that notifications of vacancies in the Geographic Area will be handled
at divisional staff meetings as the responsibility of the Division Chief.
Whenever a Division has vacancies, it should prepare a statement of
vacancies and send copies to each of the Divisions and to Ch/G. This
should be a routine affair with each Division obligated to issue a
new statement whenever the situation changes. The job descriptions
and the statement of minimum qualifications can be very general and
leave the details to be covered by a personal interview with interested
applicants. It was decided to postpone discussion of the proposed
revision to the Career Development paper until a later meeting when it
can be discussed along with other proposed revisions. The current
vacancies in D/GC and D/GP will be discussed by each of the Division
Chiefs at his divisional staff meeting this week.
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