LETTER TO CLARK FROM W. F. RABORN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000500010115-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 21, 2002
• Sequence Number: 115
• Publication Date: January 26, 1966
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2002/08/21 CIA-RDP80BO1676R000500010115-1
LOW
Z6 Jan ry 1966
Dear Cla.
Fallowing yesterday? a meeting of the Board, I have looked
into the questions raised during the discussion regarding an
Intelligence Memorandum entitled, `Hanoi's Reaction to the Bombing
Lull., iIa you remember. this me randuun was produced by the
Office of Current Intelligence (OCI) within the Directorate of
Intelligence, and some of themembers expressed concern whether
such a memorandum aught not to have been produced as a coordinated
estimate by the Board of National Estimates.
*viewed this matter and feel that the following
pertinent facts regarding this memorandum will be of interest:
a. The above memorandum was written in
a personal request from the Secretary
of Dense for a current statement by my people on
this subject. Mr. McNamara did not request a
coordinated National Intelligence Estimate, an he
has done on many other occasions, but instead
required something in the nature of a CIA status
reps rt. CIA being the repository of intelligence
from the entire community, keeps this "all source
intelligence continually up dated for analysis and
evaluation to serve the special request of the
Government. Reading the memorandum in its
y, I find it is essentially that, and not really
b. I am sure you are aware that the Office
the producing office of
has a substantial research
y, an well as a current
reportorial` tapabil,ity. in fact, this office serves
as the principal research and analysis facility within
CIA in support of the Board of National Estimates.
c. As is done in the preparation of all such
nda within the L)irec rate of intelligence, this
ora , was coordinated) with, the Office of
National Estin- tes. I a an, assured by my most
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 Approved For Release 2002/08/21 :CIA,
experienced intelligence officer, the Deputy Director
for Intelligence, that he habitually reviews these
memoranda prior to issuance and in this case the
views expressed are consistent with those of the
Board of National Estimates.
iy role as the principal intelligence advisor for the
President and the members of the National Security Council, I utilize
several means but always the best combinations of mature ,furl
to produce and convey significant information to the President and his
chief advisors. occasion, of course, I brief them orally. On other
occasions, I provide them with current intelligence in the form of
daily reports and ad hoc memoranda. On still other occasions I cause
the preparation of National Intelligence Estimates containing
coordinated views of the members of the Uniteld States intelligence
community.
Taking into account the nature of the information and the
analytic judgments contained in the memorandum in question and the
urgent request of the Secretary of Defense, I am satisfied that this
matter was correctly handled.
peful that this review of the circumstances attending
thus production of this memorandum will be helpful to you and the members
of your cozrcmittee.
Sincerely,
rn
icc - Each member of the Boa/ nd the Exec. Secretary
c/
able Clark Clifford
President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Boa 9d
Washington, 0. C.
R . J. Smithl mfb
Orig by hand to Clark Clifford -- 297 EOB
icc - DCI official chrono
~~iccc~c - DCI PFIAB file
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lcc - improved For Release 2002/08/21 CIA-RDP80BO1676R000500010115-1
icc - D/NIPE