MONTHLY REPORT--GULF BUREAU--AUGUST 1981

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00385R000200040009-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 8, 2007
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: September 4, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/05/08: CIA-RDP83-00385R000200040009-8
MGF 011-81
4 September 1981
Subject Monthly Report--Gulf Bureau--August 1981
Memorandum for: Director, FBIS
Through Chief, Operations Group
I. GENERAL
Gulf Bureau took over primary responsibility for
GULF NEWS AGENCY/QATAR NEWS AGENCY/EMIRATES NEW AGENCY
transmissions formerly covered by Jordan Bureau on
22 August. The long-awaited shift,. which frees some
of Jordan's monitors for other coverage, went quite
smoothly. Gulf'`s Arabic team had been practicing mock
coverage of the agencies, including complete logging,
for some time prior to the actual switchover date.
As the arrangement now stands, Gulf covers the
agencies from 0500 GMT signon through our 2030 GMT
close of business.. Jordan backstops and covers 2030-
2100 GMT for any priority material with Gulf processing
from repeats the following morning any routine items
transmitted during the period. This worthwhile addition
to the bureau's.coverage provides more meaningful
processing for our Arabic monitors and complements
existing coverage of Gulf radio and television stations.
II. EDITORIAL/MONITORIAL
1. With its Russian monitor in'place, Gulf began
covering Russian regional radios this month. Although
all the regionals are poorly heard at the moment, the
bureau filed its first Russian item from Baku Domestic
Service on 9 August.
2. The bureau assumed coverage of Iranian clandestine
radios from Nicosia Bureau 11-15 August while its Persian
monitor was on leave. The bureau also covered Karachi
Domestic Service in Urdu at 1500 GMT 25 July-26 August while
one of Bangkok Bureau's monitors was on leave.
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3. The clandestine Free Voice of Iran radio broadcast
what the radio purported to be an eyewitness account of the
hijacking of the Iranian naval patrol boat in the Mediterranean.
The report, said to be by the radio's "war correspondent,"
was initially FYT'ed and subsequently filed in two takes.
4. Four more videotapes containing Arabic programming
were forwarded to FCS. These tapes are being used for
language training purposes.
1. AG Chief Analyst I Ivisited the bureau STAT
10 and 11 August as part of her area familiarization tour.
In addition to meeting with the Ambassador, the USICA
representative and others, Avis provided useful information
for our fledgling monitors on Analysis Group's interests
and techniques.
2. BFF Chief I Imet with bureau STAT
stafferg and assy personnel 30 August-1 September.
I Iwas able to answer several questions STAT
from the massy concerning FBIS fiscal procedures that
differ from State practice.
3. Jordan Bureau Chief Monitor paid STAT
an informal visit 7-9' August while on persona travel
to Bahrain. All, who had net and interviewed some of our
Arabic trainees in Amman, was pleased to be able to
renew acquaintances.
STAT