ARMY CLANDESTINE HUMINT PROPOSALS FY 77-81

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01133A000500070008-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 8, 2008
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: July 30, 1975
• Content Type: MF

ARMY review(s) co, Approved For Release 2008/04/08: CIA-RDP80MOl 133A000500070008-99"
DCI./IC 75-1780
8 0 JUL 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Contra-]. Intelligence
SUBJECT Army Clandestine IHUMIN`1' Proposals FY 77-81
1. On 21 July 1975 I met with BG Edmund Thompson,
OACSI, Army (replacing )3G Gene Ko.l.loy reassigned) , and
members of his staff to .review Army Clandestine ITUMIN'll
proposals. Their new initiatives represent DCI and ASD (:r )
issues in the ongoing program review. A Memorandum for the
Record of the meeting is attached.
2. The Array was more forthcoming in this head--to--head
discussion with me, but Army ACSI again was not able to
provide clear concepts and specifics of what he Army
proposes t.o do against thcIn view of
your personal concerns and the need to get key players
together 'on those issues, I have. requested the Army to brief
you on 13 August on their proposed program. General Aaron
present. Dr. 1-fall's office believes he might well attend.
I believe this affords us a good opportunity to address long-
standing irritants and issues. Politically, it would also
be well to clear the air on the PFIAB recommendation
regarding IIUMINT activities of the Military Services.
3. 1 will provide you a paper highlighting major points
prior to the briefing.
SIGN
Samuel V. Wilson
Lieutenant General, USA
D/DCI/IC
Attachment:
MFR
Distribution:
0 - DCI, w/att
1 - DDCI, w/att
1 - ER, w/att
,,I - IC Registry, w/att
1 - D/DCI/IC, w/att
1 - H.B/Army I-IUMINT, w/att.
1. - IIB/Chrono - w/c at-t-
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22 July 1975
SUBJECT: Meeting on Army Clandestine HUMINT Proposals
FY 77-81, 21 July 1975
1. Gen Wilson met on 21 July 1975 with BG Thompson,
Director of Operations, OACSI, DA, Col Spirito and
Maj Ebersole on the Army Clandestine HUMINT pro osals.
The meeting was attended by and
HUMINT Branch. The purpose of-the meeting
was to continue the on-going review of the FY 77-81
proposals as requested by the DCI in his letter of
1 April 1975.
2. Gen Wilson, in his introductory remarks, provided
background to Gen Thompson, newly assigned to OACSI, on
.this review of the Army Clandestine HUMINT Program. He
pointed out that the Army proposals had taken on a new
importance. The Senate Select Committee (SSC) had
expressed specific interest in these proposals and was
planning to follow closely the determinations made by the
CICAG and the DCI. Gen Wilson pointed out that there were
now three audiences in addition to CICAG: the White House
staff; the Senate Select Committee; and the State Depart-
ment. The White House was involved because of the SSC
and the sensitive nature of the Army proposals. The SSC
has made specific inquiries into this matter. The White
House staff could choose in this case to protect sensitive
intelligence operations from undesirable exposure. The
State Department is involved in its principal foreign
affairs role and by its responsibility for monitoring the
presence of US Government representatives overseas.
3. Following his introductory comments Gen Wilson
stated the central questions: Is strategic clandestine
collection a proper Army mission? -If so, is what the
Army proposes a valid, viable way to accomplish the
mission? Gen Thompson and Col Spirito responded along
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the line that the Army believed itself justified in doing
what was important to the Army. This is reinforced by the
expertise of Army people on Army matters. Gen Thompson
indicated that the Army effort would be in cooperation with
others so far as possible. Col Spirito described the Army
initiatives as small, representing a refocusing of existing
resources so as to provide a more important and better
intelligence product on priority matters, principally in.
support of R&D and doctrine.
4. Gen Wilson summarized his understanding of why
the Army wished to increase its strategic intelligence
capability.
a. The Army's requirements for clandestine
intelligence were not being satisfied by CIA, there-
fore they considered it appropriate to take. steps to
meet these requirements with its. own resources.
b. The Army should have a clandestine HUMINT
capability for times of international crisis and
especially in wartime.
c. Army expertise makes the Army best
equipped to satisfy Army requirements.
d. In many areas of the world Army has
cnpri a1 access because of its locations.
In discussing these Gen Wilson asked if the Army could
provide specific cases where the DDO response was inadequate.
Col Spirito said that the Army could provide such informa-
tion.
Gen Wilson asked
if the Army had had any successes in the proposed type of
clandestine collection recently.
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I,- Vi I I- I
5. In summarizing the Army's case fora role in
clandestine intelligence, Gen Wilson pointed out:
"a" above could probably be corrected; "b": the need
for a capability is valid; "c": the special expertise
of the military to understand their own requirements and
to deal with them has some alternatives; "d":
access of the military is a strong argument.
The question next arises: Is what the Army proposes the
best way to do what is needed? Further, could the Army
do what it proposes to do? The concept(s) is/are not
clear. Gen Thompson stated that he agreed to the need for
a_well-conceived concept for all these proposals.
6. Gen Wilson urged the Army to proceed in a number
of aspects of its HUMINT program. Certain projects MG Aaron
had very effectively identified and activated such as the
Foreign Officer Contact Program, and the Domestic 'Exploitation
Program. They had merit and the Army is well suited for
them without question.
7. Gen Wilson proposed to Gen Thompson that the Army
should clean up their proposed clandestine programs
defining the concepts and details in the form of a pre-
sentation to the DCI in the next few weeks. The purpose
of this briefing would be to provide the DCI a clear under-
standing of what the Army wishes to do in clandestine
HUMINT, its justification, and the alternatives considered.
Following the discussion with Mr. Colby, the Army could
refine and revise their FY 77-81 program for a subsequent
presentation in the first two weeks of September along with
the other Services. The first briefing for Mr. Colby would
be in a somewhat restricted audience. The ASD(I) would be
invited. In the meantime, the CICAG would address the
clandestine HUMINT programs of the Air Force and the Navy.
Gen Wilson proposed a final presentation to the DCI
consisting of the Army, Navy and Air Force Clandestine
HUMINT Programs. He would invite
to attend for a final resolution of clandestine HUMINT
problems.
AC HB ICS
Di tribution:
- Army HUMINT file
l - Chrono
1 -
CICAG : z.le
1 - HD Chrono
DCI/IC/HD/ICS,
(22Jul, retyped 23 Jul)
3
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INTELLIGENCE U O M UN ITY STAFF SUMMARY
INTERNAL COORDINATION
~._~....., Subject: . Army Clandestine
. IHUMINT Proposals
FY 77-81
The MFR of your meeting is included to highlight major issues.
what has taken. place following the,CICA ee ing.
on 13 August. and I can fill in
You may wish to invit.el to attend the briefing
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RECOMMENDATIQN: your signature of proposed memo to the Director.
," Action Officer: Title and Signature I
Initials
Coordination
,._ M_.P one Number
General Wilson SSignature 9093
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