LETTER TO LIONEL OLMER ASSESSMENT OF SOVIET ENERGY POLICY GOALS AND THE ROLE OF WESTERN EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89B00423R000100100008-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 7, 2008
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: October 2, 1984
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2008/11/07: CIA-RDP89B00423R000100100008-6
Central Intelligence Agency
The Honorable Lionel H. Olmer
Under Secretary for International Trade
Department of Commerce
,Washington, D.C 20230
0.0 Z c)SS4//l
4 OCT1984
I received your note of 22 September requesting us to
arrange a meeting of interested agencies to discuss proposed
terms of reference for the study of Soviet energy policy goals
and the role of Western equipment and technology.
We think it would be inappropriate for this Agency to
arrange such a meeting, especially since State and presumably
Defense will also be interested in participating. We would
prefer that you address your request to the NSC. We have no
objection to Commerce involvement in this project at an early
stage.
Meanwhile, we are continuing to work on the information you
requested for the US-USSR Working Group of Experts Meeting. This
material should be available to you by the end of the month.
Sincerely,
1obert es
Deputy Director for 'Intelligence
All portions are Confidential.
.CL BY'Signer
DECL OADR
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 Approved For Release 2008/11/07: CIA-RDP89B00423R000100100008-6
SUBJECT: Letter to Lionel Olmer
Assessment of Soviet energy policy goals and
the role of Western equipment and technology
DDI/SOVA/SED~ I(2 Oct 84) 25X1
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee
1 - DDI
1 - DDI Registry
1 - C/SED
1 - D/SOVA
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 Approved For Release 2008/11/07: CIA-RDP89B00423R000100100008-6
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Under Secretary for International Trade
September 22,1984
Attached FYI is a copy of a note
from Secretary Baldrige to Robert
McFarlane, stating our interest in
participating in the proposed study.
I understand that Secretaries Hodel
and Shultz, as well as Ambassador
Brock, may be interested in having
their agencies participate on the
same basis.
Please le.t.me,.know when.a meeting can,
be arranged for your staff, NSC staff,
my staff, and other interested agencies
to discuss the proposed terms of
reference for the study.
Unclassified when separated from attachment.
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 Approved For Release 2008/11/07: CIA-RDP89B00423R000100100008-6
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
Washington, D.C. 20230
Qtrrs co
i 1984
Honorable Robert C. McFarlane
Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Bud,
(S) I have just received a copy of your memorandum for William
Casey requesting an assessment of Soviet energy policy goals
an`d.,the role of Western equipment and technology.,
(S) The Soviets will be interested in discussing at a meeting
of the It~{ci____~GrouR of Fxaee is under the Long Term Agreement
to Facilitate Economic, Industrial, and Technical Cooperation
their plans for energy development and possibilities for
purchasing American energy equipment and technology. Deputy
Foreign Trade Minister Sushkov made this clear during our
meeting in May. I said that at the Experts Meeting both sides
should be prepared to discuss topics of interest to the other,
but told him that naturally I could make no promises as to the
results of those discussions.
(S) Lionel Olmer will lead the U.S. delegation to the Experts
Meeting, which will probably take place in December. Believing
that in preparing for these discussions with the Soviets we
need an accurate understanding of their objectives, needs and
capabilities, he just sent a letter to Robert Gates at CIA with
a request for information, including some themes along the
lines of your memorandum.
(S) Given the common interest we share with you on this
subject, as well as the Department's responsibility for
administering the export control progran and chairing the Joint
U.S.-U.S.S.R. Commercial Commission, it is important that
Commerce participate fully in drafting the terms of reference
for.: the CIA study`.and that we be fully involved as the'study
proceeds. The analyses Commerce and NSC have requested of CIA
on Soviet energy issues should be melded to obtain the best
up-to-date assessment of Soviet energy capabilities and goals
prior to our meetings with Soviet trade officials. Deputy
Assistant Secretary Frank Vargo will be our representative.
cc: Secretary of State
Director of CIA
Sincerely,
Secretary of Commerce
CLASSIFIED BY SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
DECLASSIFY ON OADR
SFrJRFT
Approved For Release 2008/11/07: CIA-RDP89B00423R000100100008-6