THE CLANDESTINE SERVICE HISTORICAL PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00764R000400030005-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 5, 2000
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: February 4, 1972
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Releass 00tO8/04' "tIA-RDP83-007648000400030005-1
MSEMORANDMI FOR: Executive Diroctor-Comptroller
SUBJECT
The Clandost3.no Service Historical
Program
1. During the months ahead the ability of the
Clandestine Service to staff a historical program of
any significant si .o will be greatly reduced. During
the rest of FY 1972 we will attempt ~to finish those
historical papers on which a significant' amount of work
has boon done. This would comprise about 40 or 50
papers in addition to the 170 already published in the
Clandestine Service Historical Paper (CSIIp) sories.
Beyond that, we recommend that the historical program
continue along the following lines:
a. There should be a continuing effort
to identify and preserve documents which would
be of value to ,future historical writers.
b. We would continue to debrief key
personnel returning from the field and those
retiring from the Agency and invite them to
prepare written accounts of their experiences.
c. From the many subjects involving
the Clandc tine Service which should be made
matters of historical record the Clandestine
Service Historical Board would designate a
limited number--about 10---which should receive
priority attention. These would consist of
monographs on operational programs and CS in-
volvement in certain crisis areas, as well
as histories of major stations and major
Headquarters components.
d. The divisions and staffs should be
encouraged to prepare any type of historical
studies they may find useful, including
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RDP83-00764R000400030005-1
 Approved For Release2,000/08/04: CIA-RDP83-007641 0400030005-1
organizational and station histories. The
CS Historical Board should decide whether
those or any other papers shorild be published
in the CSIIP series or retained as source
documents. This would require revision or re-
interpretation of hIR 1-2c(3).
e. About 10 clearly qualified annuitants
should be re-hired as independent contractors
to form a cadre of historical writers. They
should be assigned to work within the various
CS components with the CS Historical Board and
the CIA Historical Staff providing guidance and
general research assistance. This group'should
be augmented by qualified ataff personnel when--
ever available.
9. The CS Historical Board should pass
judgment on the capability of personnel before
they are assigned to prepare papers in the CSHP
series.
g. Scheduling and target dates should take
into account the availability of writers and the
dimensions and complexity of the historical
projects to which they are assigned. The program
should be open ended. It need not be completed
this year or the next but as rapidly as capable,
diligent writers can progress and still produce
sound, readable papers.
h.' The historical program should be
flexible and subject to continuing revision by
the Historical Board and by appropriate manage-
ment personnel in the CS and the Agency.
2. May we have your approval of the guidelines
listed above, or a discussion of those with which you
may differ? Any additional instructions or guidance
would be most useful in our planning for the future.
25X1A9a
CSHS, /kct (4 Feb 72)
Distribution: Orig & 1 Addressee
2 - DDP
1 - CSHS +,.' .. 2
I;
Thomas H. Karamessines
Deputy Director for Plans
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CI DP83-00764R000400030005-1
SECRE IR