THE STRATEGIC WARNING STAFF

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91B00776R000500100012-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: July 18, 1980
• Content Type: MEMO

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/19: CIA-RDP91 B00776R000500100012-3
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THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
MEMORANDUM FOR: National Intelligence Officer
for Warning
SU[3JirCT The Strategic Warning Staff
NFAC #5137-80
i8 July 1980
The Strategic Warning Staff is floundering.
1. The Personnel Situation: Despite your best efforts, the
people problem has worsened.
-- There is no State repr?esentative? can
find no record at RMS of an agreemen o provide
State a slot in FY-81, nor can John Koehler remember
any discussion of the subject. Cariucci's memo of
19 November 1979 to Bowdler made a plea for help,
but did not mention providing a slot.
-- According to my conversation with
on 7 July, NSA is h g trouble y ng a o y
to replace but will `?keep trying."
has told Harry pr vately that NSA has no intention
of replacing him.
-- The ~davy billet remains unfilled. (John Butts is
relieving as DONI, but I don't foresee a change).
-- 'The Marine Corps withdrew their support when Cox
left.
-- The Army estimates six months or so before they can
fill their (empty) slot.
What we have are a couple of DIA people, three CIA (counting the
Director), acid an Air Force officer.
2. The Record: In reviewing our old files, I discovered a fevr
interesting points:
-- In September 1978, the DDCI, in a handwritten
marginal note. favored placing the SWS under the
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/19: CIA-RDP91 B00776R000500100012-3
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/19: CIA-RDP91 B00776R000500100012-3 25X1
CONFIDENTIAi~ Q
NFAC #5137-80
SUBJECT: The Strategic Warning Staff 18 July 1980
NIO/W "for now", but advocated disbanding the SWS
in favor of a small NIO/W staff if "SWS doesn't
show more usefulness."
-- In your memo of ~22 February 1979, to the DCI you
predicted a "no better than 50-50 chance of success,
even if we find the right leader. If we cannot at-
tract the right people we should abolish forthwith
rather than prolong the agency." "Again, speaking
personally, I could live with a smaller elite staff
at Langley...."
-- In the same paper, option C, approved by the DCI,
reduced the SWS by two professionals and one clerical
to be assigned to the NIO/W. The portion of the
option which increased your staff to four profes-
sionals has never been implemented.
3. The Politics: Rumor has it that Tighe will depart the scene
in November, no matter who wins the election. Thus we may be in a
good position to institute change as a corollary to the transition.
In any case, we should be giving some thought to the matter now.
4. A~ C~om~anion Problem: In a substantive sense, Narry and I
are spread too t in. Harry does a superb job in keeping up with
finished product and looking out for our warning interests, but has
no time to read raw traffic. When a crunch seems to be approaching,
I turn on pertinent raw traffic flow through the Op Center, but we
still have no one to fallow up for us. We need at least two, maybe
four, research assistants to whom we can turn for help.
5. Alternatives: Across the spectrum of what to do with the
SWS, there e- x~istr a number of options.
A. Do nothing, muddle through as we arz now.
B. Implement the remainder of the DCI's decision.
Shift two SWS analysts out here, to assist us.
We could, perhaps, bring one CIA and one DIA to
retain more of a "Community" flavor.
C. Bite the bullet and admit the SWS has not lived
up to our expectations. Bring four people (two
each DIA & CIA) out here, and disband the staff.
CONFIDENTIAL/
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/19: CIA-RDP91 B00776R000500100012-3 ?,~,,,,,,.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/19: CIA-RDP91 B00776R000500100012-3 5X1
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NFAC #5137-80
SUBJECT: The Strategic Warning Staff 18 July 1980
6. Recommendations: The many additional options and suboptions,
political sensitivities at DIA and the HPSCI, etc. would fill a book.
Rather than expand this paper to the three pound size, I recommend
that you, Hal, Harry, and I set aside an hour or so to discuss our
options privately. Than we might consider tabling a paper with the
4Jarning Working Group.
sting
Natidnal Intelligence Officer
for Warning
Distribution:
Orig - NIO/W
1 - A/NIO/Chrono
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/19: CIA-RDP91 B00776R000500100012 3 ~yM,
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