THE WATCH COMMITTEE AND THE NATIONAL INDICATIONS CENTER BASIC REQUIREMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001100020013-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 28, 2002
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: February 11, 1955
• Content Type: REQ

Approved For Release 2002/11/1:gIPRA 1001100020013-6
THE WATCH COMMITTEE AND THE NATIONAL INDICATIONS CENTER
BASIC REQUIREMENT
States:
In support of these basic security requirements, it is necessary that the United
a. Develop and maintain an intelligence system capable of:
(1) Collecting and analyzing indications of hostile intentions that
would give maximum prior warning of possible aggression or subversion
in any area of the world.
(2) Accurately evaluating the capabilities of foreign countries,
friendly and neutral as well as enemy, to undertake military, political,
economic, and subversive courses of action affecting U. S. security.
(3) Forecasting potential foreign developements having a bearing
on U. S. national security. (NSC 162/2 - Para 10 a)
MISSION
To provide earliest possible warning to the United States Government of hostile
action by the USSR, or its allies, which endangers the security of the United States.
(DCID 1/2 - Para B)
FUNCTIONS
1. To analyze and evaluate information, and intelligence, both current and
cumulative, on an all-source basis, furnished by the IAC agencies relating to the, im-
minence of hostilities, and to develop therefrom the conlusions as to indications of:
a, Soviet/Communist intentions to initiate hostilities against
(1)
the continental United States, U. S. possessions, or U. S. forces
abroad,
(2) U. S. al I ies or their forces,
(3) areas peripheral to the Soviet Orbit.
b. any other development, actual or potential, susceptible of direct ex-
ploitation by Soviet/Communist hostile action which would jeopardize the security of
the United States.
Approved For Release 2002/11/13: CIA-RDP80B01676R0?'F0'g02 -
TOP SECRET
 Approved For Release 2002/11/13 :?R949 QT671 001100020013-6
2. To report promptly their conclusions, together with significant indicatibns,
to the principals of the IAC and other appropriate recipients. In the event of an im-
pending critical situation, IAC principals will be immediately advised after which the
provisions of paragraph 6, NSCID No. 1, will apply. (DCID 1/2 - paras C 2 and 3)
To wit: Whenever any member of the Intelligence Advisory Committee obtains
information that indicates an imprending crisis situation, such as the outbreak of has-
tilities involving the United States, or a condition which affects the security of the
United States to such an extent that immediate action or decision on the part of the
President or the Notional Security Council seems to be required, he shall immediately
furnish the information to the other members of the Intelligence Advisory Committee
as well as to other officials or agencies as may be indicated by the circumstances.
The Director of Central Intelligence shall immediately convene the Intelligence
Advisory-Committee. After receiving the views of the Intelligence Advisory Committee
members, the Director of Central Intelligence shall promptly prepare and disseminate the
national intelligence estimate. (NSCID l.= para 6)
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Develop and operate on a current and continuing basis the Watch -Commit-
tee Intelligence Plan for systematizing, energizing, and coordinating through appro-
priate channels the world-wide collection by U. S. agencies of information and intel-
ligence pertinent to the Watch Committee mission.
2. Arrange through the IAC or the appropriate member thereof for exploita-
tion of every domestic and foreign source of information and intelligence pertinent to
the Watch Committee mission; and, among other actions, arrange, at appropriate times,
that representatives of IAC field intelligence activities confer with the IAC and the
Watch Committee in order effectively to coordinate, but not direct, field intelligence
activities with the activities of the Watch Committee.
3. Arrange with the IAC agencies for a systematic screening of al I inform
ation and intelligence received by them by any means for the purpose of immediately
extracting and forwarding to the Indications Center all' items which amy contain in
dications of Soviet/Communist intentions. (DCID 1/2 - paras El - 3)
In support of the Watch Committee and NIC, the President on 30 Novembe
1954 approved NSC 5438; directing all appropriate departments and agencies of th
Government:
"1. To make fully available to the IAC Watch Committee all information
and intelligence of reasonable credibility pertinent to its mission and functions
without restriction because of source, policy or operational sensitivity.
Approved For Release 2002/11/ Q TWFffideQ QZ R001100020013-6
 Approved For Release 2002/11/1T'QRD~P~Q?001100020013-6
"2. To keep the JAC Watch Committee informed concerning significant
diplomatic, political, military, or other courses of action by the U. S.,
approved for immediate implementation or in process of execution, which
might bring about military reaction or early hostile action by the USSR,
or its allies, thus endangering the security of the U.S. This information
is for the explicit and express use of the Watch Committee and those
members of the National Indications Center who need to know of it in
order to perform their functions. " (NSC 5438)
Approved For Release 2002/11/13 : CIA-RDP80B0l676R001100020013-6
TOP SECRET
 TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2002/11/13 : CIA-RDP80B01676RO01100020
NATIONAL INDICATIONS CENTER
THE PRESIDENT of RELATIONSHIPS
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
DIRECTOR CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
INTELLIGENCE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN W/C
AFOIN
NATIONAL
INDICATIONS CENTER
NIC
Approved For Release 2002/11/13 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001100020&??r&ary 7, 1955
TOP SECRET
 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/11/13 : CIA-RDP80B01676RO01100020013-6
Approved For Release 2002/11/13 : CIA-RDP80B01676RO01100020013-6