CABLE WRITING INSTRUCTION.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP57-00012A000500050043-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 16, 1999
• Sequence Number: 43
• Publication Date: December 13, 1949
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2WO/06/13: CIA-RDP57-00012A000500O O43-6
CONCIpOiTIA1
13 December 1949
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Cable writing instruction.
1. In October 1948 the instruction in cable writing was given
by of COMMO. This consisted of lectures,
with no exercises. .:'hen he left, I was asked to do these
lectures because I had had some experience with cables in
USS and the Navy. I gave a lecture in BIC, emphasizing
brevity and clarity in drafting messages, and introduced
exercises affording practice in same. In AIC, I expanded the
lecture, and introduced cable writing as a feature of the
comprehensive problem.
2. Message writing has been dropped from the IOC, because there
is no room for it in the schedule, and because those who need
it will get it in the advanced courses.
3. Present instruction in the OC consists of one lecture, which
introduces the students to the official forms used, and which
stresses brevity, clarity, and security in connection with the
drafting of messages. Formerly, the advanced course had two
exercises in cable writing:(a) an operational message;(b) an
intelligence message. :']hen the OC was planned, the intelligence
cable exercise was dropped, because (a) there was no room in the
course;(b) the OC is not planned to include intelligence and
reporting procedures. The operational message was retained.
4. OC students are critiqued on these operational messages. They
then compose a number of cables in connection with the
problem. AA student may compose as many as ten or fifteen cables,
according to his own judgment. Formerly, I examined and marked
this performance, but I no longer do so, beesuse I no longer
have the ten to fifteen hours available that are necessary. The
advanced instructors, however, look over all this material.
5. I have recently conferred with
of COIIMO, as indicated in memo of 28 November.
I found that I was already stressing the things they wanted
stressed. They gave me some additional ideas and examples. They
indicated that they would forward a written memo to me, embodying
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their ideas, and providing examples of what not to do in
drafting messages. I have not yet received this memo.
I shall incorporate their suggestions in my next lecture.
';re discussed the matter of teaching paraphrasing, which has
not been done up to the present time, and decided against
teachligg it, as considerable time would be required, but it
will be mentioned and discussed.
6. Cable instruction in the Administrative course is being
presented by of COLIIIO, and we did
not discuss their presentation. The C0hO representatives
seemed to find my views acceptable.
7. Nay personal feeling is that students cannot learn to write
good messages on the first attempt, or even the twentieth.
We can say that they are exposed at the present time to
message writing, but they do notget intensive or extensive
training in it. They are made aware of the problems involved,
and that is about as much as can be hoped for at the present
time because of the tightness of the schedule and the lack of
time at my disposal.
8. I believe that it is planned to relieve me of this respon-
sibility as soon as someone else is found who can take over.
That person could develop the presentation and present
additional exercises and critiques, if time could be found
in the CC or the AOC.
9. Copy of the opeRational cable wi!3z.ting problem is attached.
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!A
OWA
CABLE WRl
(Operational
You are stationed in RUNDOWN, the capital of BESTLAND.
You have to report to HQ that you have received a report
(HJ-335) through agent BOBBY (your agent - the details on file in
HQ) that a certain HANS SCHROEDER (whpR,tip. yjur aient DOPEY) is In
Contact (regularly) with a previously, agnt of the Intelligence
Service of NE'USTRIA, an adjoining country. You have no previous
knowledge of DOPEY'S being in content with the man in question, but
a quick review of your information about DOPEY reveals he made two
trips (of about a weck'a duration each) to NEUSTRIA during the last
six monthe, saying that he had to see his brother, a resident of
SPECK, the NEUSTRIAN capital, You have no info about the brother
other than his name, JOAOHIM SCHROEDER$ and his address, 17 RING-
LANDSTRASSE.
BOBBY is writing up the details of- the times, places, and
methods of contact observed. He disoovered this fact ;chile surveill-
ing # U"FER, the NEUSTHIAN I.B. man.
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FIO P SAL
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