SCOPE OF THE USIB MINUTES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000600180022-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 16, 2006
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: March 28, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2006/11/16: CIA-RDP80B01676R000600180Q22-5,=;-
UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
28 March 1966
SUBJECT : Scope of the USIB Oiinutes
1. At your suggestion following our discussion last
Thursday, this memorandum submits a recommendation on the
subject for approval in paragraph 6.
2. In response to your questions regarding existing
concepts as to the length and scope of USIB minutes, mzy under-
standing has been that the record of the Board's discussion of
COMOR-related items should be comprehensive and full. This
concept stems from Mr. zcCone's desires that, after the Cuban
experience and post-mortem and in the light of operational
difficulties with some reconrsatesaace systems, all the factors
and positions expressed during Board deliberations on COMOR
items should be recorded for information and future reference,
as well as an accurate statement of the actions and decisions
taken. In the absence of other instructions or requests for change,
the Secretariat has continued to prepare such long and detailed
drafts, similar to that shown in Tab A.
3. On the other hand. the drafts on other types of UIB
Items recorded in the regular SECRET minutes or the code-word
Special Annexes have been prepared generally in summary form.
Frequently. only the Board's decisions or actions are recorded,
especially when there its a basic reference document being considered
such as the Watch Deport, an NM: or a USIB Committee report.
Where the discussion focuses on particular factors or issues which
would be useful for record or reference purposes, a tabulation of
these points is often included but nornuUly without identifying the
USIB (28 Mar)
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varying opinions or positions expressed by individual USIB
Principals. When required or requested in particular cases,
views of the principals on major issues may be specifically
recorded, especially when there are dissents involved in the
Board's final decisions. An example of a minute item applying
these concepts is attached at Tab B.
4. The long and short forms of minutes described above
both have advantages and disadvantages along the lines discussed
below. However, there does not appear to be any real "middle
ground" between them because, once the views of some principals
are recorded, it is considered only fair and proper that all other
views expressed also be reported.
a. The lon - form unque stionally provides a complete
record for history and future reference, and for detailed
guidance to those who must follow up on the Board's
decision, especially in preparing further reports. It also
reports how the special interests and responsibilities of
the member departments aad agencies were taken into
account. On the other hand, if the participants know that
their comments are to be reproduced and circulated there
is a natural tendency to "talk for the record", thereby
inhibiting a free and frank exchange of views in assessing
all feasible alternatives. Moreover, the circulation of
these long minutes even on a limited distribution furnishes
to many who were not in attendance detailed knowledge of
the Board's deliberations which may or may not be helpful
or needed in their work. In fact, to the extent that views
expressed during the discussion contrary to the f raised all in
agreed decisions are circulated, doubt may
the minds the recipients f orr deee who
s
support for the decisions
to the sound ne s g
reached.
b. The short form does not give a full background of
the Board's decisions for future reference or guidance, nor
does it indicate the extent to which various viewpoints were
expressed and debated. On the other hand, a short form
identifying the basic issues and the factors considered and
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discussed, concluding with a precise statement of the
Biard's decisions and actions, can provide an effective
and clear-cut instruction and guidance for appropriate
action by all concerned. Since positions taken by each
participant would not be recorded except as required or
requested, the short form could stimulate a more thorough
and objective exploration of all feasible options even
though some might not represent any particular agency
position.
5. On balance. It is believed that the short sununary form
of minutes, used in a flexible manner as required by the particular
item being considered. encourages free and frank deliberations which
should lead to clear and effective Board decisions and actions regarding
the critical problems facing the intelligence community.
6. Accordingly. it is recommended that, if you concur, this
memorandum be submitted to the DCI as Chairman. USIB. with the
recommendation that the USIB Secretariat be authorized to prepare
the draft USIB minutes on COMOR-related as well as all other agenda
items by flexible use of the short summary form described above.
unless a particular item is deemed to require a full record of the
B : ard's deliberations.
CONCUR:
fs/: 8ie''^i1 lms
Richard Helms Date
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
APPROVE:
(s1 n..^~' 7.
r. Rai-)orri
. F. RABORN Date
Chairman. USIB
-3-
3 0 MAR 1966
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