NSC DIRECTIVE ON COVERT OPERATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001100070002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 8, 2003
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: February 16, 1954
• Content Type: MF

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.$ 1. ya~ee National unity - Go cil, taking co zance of t 30
vicious covert activities of the U:91,SRS am C( ?s ist china and the,
governments,, parties and groups dominated by them (hereafter col-
lectively referred to as "Tnt..ernat ional Communism") to discredit
and defeat the aims and activities of the United States and oth e r
pore of the free sorld, deter ied, as set forth in t3C direc-
tives 10/2 aM ix./5, that, in the interests cf world oeace and
U. S. national see
Overt foreign activities of the U. S.
Uovernment should be supp3.eiented by covert operations.
2? The Central thtelli.gence agency had already been charged
tional Aecurity Council vdth conducting espionage and
counterespionage operations abroad. It therefore seemed desirable,
for operational.. reasons, not to create a new agency for covert
"rations,,, but, subject to directives from the WSC, to place the
pcnsib3lity for than on the Central Intelligence Agency and
onege and counterespionage operations under
the over-all control of the fl rector of Central Inteellipsnce.
3? The N SC has determined that such covert operations hell
greatest extent practicable, in the light of U. . and
NATIONAL SECURITY CCPII-'CtL DII TIVE
on
Ctr11".ea'r' 0PtATI[:4;;
es and taking into account the risk of
a. Create
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a. Create and exploit troublesome problem for later-
national Communism, impair relations between the I WSW and
Communist China and between them and their satellites,
and
c iicate control within the U R, Ca mmunist China and
their satellites, a retard the growth of the military
and economic potential of the Soviet blccj
b. Discredit the prestige and ideology of International
onnuniasra, and reduce tire strength of its parties and other
elemental
Counter a-a threat of a ea.rty or individuals directly
or indirectly responsive to Ccam anist control to achieve
in a free world country;
d. :educe international Ccnr unist control over any ants
of the world i
strengthen the orientation toward the United States of
the peoples and nations of the fre, world, eceentuate,
ever possible? the identity of interest between such peoples
and nations and the United States as well as favoring, where
ppropriatee, those grou;:ps genuinely advocating or brrlievin
he advancement of such mutual interests, and increase the
capacity and will of such peoples and nations to resist Inter
Lan3
.t. in accordance accordance with established policies and to the
extent practicable in areas donated or threatened hY Inter-
national C m uni.sm, develop underground resistance and
f'aci'litate
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facilitate covert and guerrilla operations and ensure avai.l-
abilit of those forces in the event of war, including
wherever practicable provision. of a base upon rich the
y Viand thepe forces in time of war within
Live theaters of operations as well as proviasion for atav-
behind assets and escape and evasion facilities.
t.. Under the authority of Srrctica. 102 (d) r5) of the ?national
qty Act cf l917, the ,tional Security Council hereby directs
that the W.rsctor of ntral Intelligence shall be responsible fors
designated representatives of the
Lary of Mate and cf the Secretary of Defense, that
covert operations are planned and conducted in a manner, con-
sistent with United .ten foreign and military policies and
with overt activities, and consulting with and obtaining ad-
vice from the erations Coordinating Board and other depart-
ments or agencies as appropriate.
b. Informing, through appropriate channels and on a need
basis agencies of the U. S. firers nt, both at ham
abroad (including diplomatic and military representatives)
of such operations as will affect them.
5. In addition to the provisions of paragraph 4, the following
rovisiona shall apply to wartime covert operationss
a. 'Plans for covert operations to be conducted in active
theaters of war and any other areas in which U. `w . forces are
d
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engaged in combat operations will be drawn up wiha the
assistance of the impartment of Defense and will be in
consonance with and coigilemeritary to approved wsr plans
of the Joint Chiefs of 'Itaff.
b. Covert operations in active theaters of war
any other areas in whist U. ". forces are engaged in
combat operations will to conducted under such coed
and control lat3 cwt! ips as have been or may in t e
future be approved by t.+e Department of Defense.
As used in this directive, "covert operations" shall be
d to be all activities conducted pursuant to this di-
rective which am so planned and executed that any U. 0ovorneent
.bili.ty for them is not evident to unauthorised persons and
that if uncovered the U. S. Gaverx nt can plausibly disclaim any
responsibility for them.
cificti 1yr, such operations shall include
covert activities related toe propaganda; politta&l action;
ecow io warfare; preventive direct. action, including sabotage, anti-
sabotage, demolition; escape and evasion and evacuation measures;
subversion against hostile states or groups including assistance to
underground resistance movements,, guerrillas and refugee liberation.
nous and anti-comeuntat elements in
ad countries of the free world; deception plane and opera-
4 all activities compatible with this directive necessary
the foregoing. Such operations shall not include:
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and conflict by recognised military forces, espioWe and counter-
espionage,, nor cover and deception for military operations.
directive supersedes and rescinds .,C 10/2 and 1C l0/5.
qubpara:;raphs "ea"r and "b" under the heading ' Additio-zai. itivne of
ng Boa:rd" on page 1 of the T'reesidant's temco-
ive Secret :ry, iatic{real Securitj Council ssupple-
vea Order 10483 a 'e eu :erseded by the followim K pro--
e ambers of the C)pc:rations Coordinatizw Lo.,rd es
under appropriate secure ty arran ;e =eats, be advised of those
covert operations related to Watic 1 Security t ou.nall policies
assigned to the Board for coordination or related to such other
functions as may be atom wed to tfie Board.
b. The designated representatives of the Secretaries of
e and Defense referred to In p irapraph 4-a. above shall
keep the Bourd icembers of their respective departments advised
as to natters on which they are consulted by the Ztireetcr of
Central Intellience, and which have Leon or are to be referred
?tc: the tip ratztona Coordiryutit s Bca.rcu0
c. The U rations Coordinat: nt: Board will he the normal
channel for securing coordination cf support aeacraj, the Iepart-
er nts cf State and Defense and the Central Intelligen Agency.
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91
National Security Council
ceoutve Secre
Mr.
There is attached a copy of a draft directive to atsper-
sode ii ,-,C 10/2 and N'SC 1O/5, and certain provisions of the
President's memorandum to the Executive Secretary, National
Security Council supplee tin ; Executive Order 10483. The
purpose of this draft in to incorporate in one currently
applicable document the directive relating to covert opera-
tions by the Central Intelligence Agency.
irecator of Central Intelligence. It is trane-
ith, the Deputy secretary of Defewse, :fir.
t has bean approved by the Under *cretar y of
d to you so that it may be appropriately considered by
s National Security Council and, it approved by it, sub-
ALLEN lit. DUl
Director
Attachmentsz 2
TS No. 91708-Y, Copy
I I'
(10 February 1954)
Distribution:
Copy No. 1 & 2 - Addressee
3 - Sig ne rr
- Signer
5 - SA/DCI
6 - SA/DCI
7 - PT
t4l-e "-It- ~'
l No. 91737
25X1
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a'8
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1 1 r ebruary 1954
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: NSC 10 Series Directives
I called I at the NSC sine s out of
town. He was familiar with the procedure previously used for
handling NSC 10 series documents. He said that if a copy was
sent to the Executive Secretary of NSC with a memorandum say-
ing that the paper had been approved by General Smith,
and yourself, it would then be circulated by hand to the statutory
members of the NSC and, if approved by them, submitted to the
President.
There is attached such a memorandum to
1 -1
25X1
25X1
25X1
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special Assistant to the Director
Att.
Copies 1 & 2,
TS No. 91737
Copies 1 & 2,
T 5 No. 91708-F
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SIGNATURE RECORD AND COVER SHEET
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
SOURCE
SA/DCI
REGISTRY
CIA CONTROL NO.
#91738
DOC. NO. -
DATE DOC. REC'D.
DOC. Date 11 F b. 19
COpy NO. 1 2 f 5
LOGGED BY
of a es
NO. OF ATTACIMENTS T ,
& TS 91705-F, 1 and 2
&2
ATTENTION: THIS FORM WILL BE ATTACHED TO EACH TOP SECRET DOCUMENT RECEIVED BY THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OR
CLASSIFIED TOP SECRET WITHIN THE CIA AND WILL REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE DOCUMENT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS IT IS DOWNGRADED.
DESTROYED OR TR NSMITTED OUTSIDE OF CIA. ACCESS TO TOP SECRET MATERIAL IS LIMITED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE OF-
FICIAL DUTIES RELATE TO THE MATERIAL. EACH ALTERNATE OR ASSISTANT TOP SECRET CONTROL OFFICER WHO RECEIVES!AND/OR
UMNSAPROVIDED.TTATHEDNAME OFCEACHMINDIVIDUALLWHOIHASTSEENFTHE TOPISECRETEDOCUMENTOANDUTHEDDATE OFEHANDLING"SHOULD
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NOTICE OF DETACHMENT: WHEN THIS FORM IS DETACHED FROM TOP SECRET MATERIAL IT SHALL BE COMPLETED IN THE APPROPRIATE
SPACES BELOW AND TRANSMITTED TO CENTRAL TOP SE ET CONTROL FO R
THE TOP SECRET AL E A H 0 A : BY (SIGNATURE)
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DOCt1lENT DESCRIPTION
RE6tSTRY
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SOURCE
SA/DCI
91737
DOC. NO.
DATE DOC. RECD.
Doc. D
Copy N
LOGGED DY
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N0. OF ATTACHMENTS
ATTENTION: THIS FORM WILL BE ATTACHED TO EACH TOP SECRET DOCUMENT RECEIVED BY THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OR
IED TOP SECRET WITHIN THE CIA AND WILL REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE DOCUMENT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS IT IS DOWNGRADED,
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DESTROYED OR TRANSMITTED OUTSIDE OF CIA. ACCESS TU TOP SECRET MATERIAL IS LIMITED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE OF-
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SPACES BELOW AND TRANSMITTED TO CENTRAL TOP SE RET CONTROL FO E
THE TOP SECRET MA AL D A H T 0 aY (SIGNATURE)
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SIGNATURE RECORD AND COVER SHEET
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
SOURCE /
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RE613TRY
CIA CONTROL NO ~ ~~
DATE DOC. REC' ~
DaC. Date -~'
Copy NO.
LOGGED BY
of es
NO. OF ATTACHMENT~._~
ATTENTION: THIS FORM WILL BE ATTACHED TO EACH TOP SECRET DOCUMENT RECE-IVED BY THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OR
CLASSIFIED TOP SECRET WITHIN THE CIA AND WILL REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE DOCUMENT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS IT IS DOWNGRADED,
DESTROYED OR TRANSMITTED OUTSIDE OF CIA. ACCESS TU TOP SECRET MATERiAI IS LIMITED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE OF-
FICIAL DUTIES RELATE TO THE MATERIAL. EACH ALTERNATE OR ASSISTANT TOP SECRET CONTROL OFFICER WHO RECEIVES !A ND/OR
UMNSAPROVIDEDATTATHEDNAME OFCEACHMjNDRVIDUALLWH0IHASTSEENF~HE TOPISECRETEDOCUMENTOANDUTHEDDATE OFEHANDLINGNSHOULD
B IN A -
REFERREO TO REC IVED RELEASED BEEN BY
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NOTICE OF DETACHMENT: WHEN THIS FORM IS DETACHED FROM TOP SECRET MATERIAL IT SHALL BE COMPLETED IN THE APPROPRIATE
SPACES BELOW AND TRANSMITTED TO CENTRAL TOP SE RET ONT OL FO E
THE TOP SECRET MA AL E H TH 0 BY (SIGNATURE)
DOWNGRADED O-]
DESTROYED D
DISPATCHED (OUTSIDE CIA! TO
OFFICE
DATE
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FORM N0. 13
JAN 19b0 ~
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