CANCELLATION - THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN UNDER WHICH THE US WILL DERIVE THE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE FROM STALIN'S DEATH - REPORT OF WORKING GROUP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01065A000300070052-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 14, 2002
• Sequence Number: 52
• Content Type: MEMO

25X1A
Approved For Release ,p02/08/21 : CIA-RDP80-01065A00030470052-1
MEMORANDUM FOR: PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERAT1 CO3HOIhATika carla
PION:
SURACT
PCCO 3PLCIAL MORNING GROUP
CANCELLATION - The Development of a Plan ualez which
the MS mill derive the Maxima Advent 'taints
Death - Report of Working Group
a. 1 linamo of 20 Jae 1951
h.- memo for Mr. Joyce of 1ar 1951
e. Mr. PUIlipe' paper on "Smacessioo" of 21 May 1951
d. Project TROT, Annex 15
1. The referenc papers develop teva considerable extent the
possibilities offered by Stalin's death for the attainment of major us
objectives Vie-OmViS the ma. They also describe the problems and
difficulties which most be overcome before any plan can be developed to
take fall advantage of that event.
2. Moving agreed that the gathering of information suet be the
first step the workiag group has taker' idemexemkmehmemlb the following
mitten:
a. A request has been made for a Mtional Estimate on soviet
vulnerabilities to various forme of political and psychological
settee divested toward the ueekaming or eventeal overthrow of the
regime, The date of 31 July 1951 has been established as the
target for the completion of the estimate.
OIR has agreed that prior to the completion
timate
It vill undertake aertain special studies with
of obvious rOlevense end importanes to CANCLUATI erstand
that a eontrect far the first of these, a study of leadership,
has been entered into with Harvard Univereiti
e. The working group understands that there is a peesibiliV
that CIA soy undertake a special stud'', which focused directly
epee the problem of emeeeesion, would attempt to gather together
the beet judgments of those who have intimate knowledge of the
Soviet oysterman to the eharasteristics of the individuals at its
apes and of the power scabasisse under their control.
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The working group feels that the estimate and studioe re-
ferred to in a. and b. will provide useful background information but
may be too general for the particular ;exposes of CANCZLLITION. This
group feels, therefore, that it is essential that the special study
referred to in c. (and aey other studios determined to be necessary by
P3D) be shall be made to provide the information upon which the plan
CANCELLATION can best be developed.
44 The success of any plan or plans will depend to a large extent
upon the intelligence which can be collected on a continuing basis.
AeserdineXy, the group believes that the attached statement of initial
intelligence requirements (Tab "A") should be furnished the collection
agencies with the request that they be given a high priority. Revisions
in this list can later be made on the basis of the various studies re-
ferred to above.
5. thecummuceseneekeegc Since it is entirely possible that Stalin
will die prior to the development of operational plans, it is essential
that this government have at least a contingency overt propaganda posi-
tion based on existing information. Tab "B" sets forth the position
reeemieended by Mr. Phillips in the paper referred to above. The group
feels that this position should be approved as an interim position.
6. Defense and State smnbers of the working group have developed
a plan (Tab "C") for the exploitation of Stalin's death. This paper
does not have the concurrence of the CIA member who, nevertheless, feels
that it contains useful suggestions and :should be referred to the PSB for
information.
alt006DIE3DATIONS:
7. It is recommended that:
s. Tab "A", Initial Intelligence Requirements, be furnished
the collection agencies as high priority requirements and that the
same be furnished P313 for consideration and possible modification at
a later time.
b. POCC inform PCB of tb. studies which are underway for the
purpose of developing the information needed for further planing.
a, Tab "D" be approved as an interim overt propagenda posi-
tion of the US for the contingency of Stalin's death prior to the
development of the initial plan.
d. The State and Defense members of the working group resoniuend
that Tab wee be approved by the POCC and forwarded to PSB for its
approval and action. The CIA member recommends that Tab "C" be
noted by POCC and forwarded to MB as an unofficial paper for its
information.
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Chairman of Working Group