SOVIET AFFAIRS TRAINING PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R001704340058-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 23, 2009
• Sequence Number: 58
• Publication Date: August 7, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/28: CIA-RDP88B00443R001704340058-3
7 August 1985
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Administration
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Deputy Director for Operations
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
Director, Office of Training and Education
FROM: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Soviet Affairs Training Program
I would like to pursue a recommendation by the PFIAB that we set up an
in-house program designed to improve our overall understanding of the Soviet
Union. The concept would involve bringing together all those with the
requisite expertise to provide a course of study that would run the gamut of
Soviet military, economic, political, operational, etc., activities in an
integrated way. This training would be made available to any and all
officers, regardless of Directorate, who deal in Soviet affairs. In addition
to drawing on our most experienced case officers and analysts, we should look
to emigres and defectors, as well as certain people from the business and
scientific community who are knowledgeable of, and/or frequently travel in,
the Soviet Union. Obviously, such a program should also deal with such
subjects as Soviet active measures, deception, disinformation, etc.
I think this proposal has merit. It would allow for the exchange of
knowledge and experience, improve the totality of our efforts to deal with the
different aspects of the Soviet problem, and lead to officers (analysts, case
officers, technical specialists) who would be better prepared for assignments
in the field or in Headquarters. If it proves successful, we can consider
including other members of the Community, such as attaches, in the program.
I'd like to take the lead and head up a small group to
develop options an recommendations for implementing a program of this kind.
Each Directorate should be represented on this group by a highly qualified,
experienced Soviet hand. I'd like recommendations on the content of the
curriculum, the target audience (e.g. CTs, new analysts/case officers,
middle-grade officers, or all of the above), as well as suggestions as to who
we might draw on as instructors/lecturers (current employees, retirees,
outsiders on contract).
Finally, I'd like to have suggestions for candidates to head this effort;
here, too, we need to look for the person who best can provide the dynamic
leadership a program of this kind needs--we don't need to restrict ourselves
to current employees, either. I'd like to have the report of Stan's group,
with your comments, in about a month.
cc: (CI
CI
EXDIR
ER File
f.nNFT DFNTTAI
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/28: CIA-RDP88B00443R001704340058-3