REPORT ON THE COORDINATION OF COLLECTION OF INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61S00750A000700060020-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 21, 1999
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: April 21, 1955
• Content Type: MF

A
pproved For Re ase'200010812
MV*k
25X1A9a
April 1955
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Director of Central Intelligence
Report on the Coordination of
Collection of Intelligence Information
1. You requested that in consultation with the representatives of
the other IAC agencies I undertake a review of the existing provisions
for the development and coordination of information requirements and
collection tasks in conformity with established Priority National Intelli-
gence Objectives.
Z. While there are many details which bear upon this subject
matter the following are major factors which help us to put this problem
in perspective:
a. Priority National Intelligence Objectives DCID 4/4 have
recently been approved by the IAC. They indicate the fundamental
direction which our intelligence efforts should take in regard to the
national security.
b. In many cases departmental objectives which arise from
departmental needs are coincident with the priority objectives, though,
of course, not in all cases.
C.. The IAC now has a well established procedure for the ap-
proval and review of annual and quarterly programs for the production
of National Intelligence Estimates, provision being made for flexibility
to meet the changing and urgent needs of the National Security Council.
d. There already exist various arrangements, such as the
Economic Intelligence Committee and the Scientific Estimates Commit-
tee with their various respective subcommittees, which make it possi-
ble to develop coordinated research programs on subjects required to
support the estimating program or other security programs of interest
to more than one department and in some cases mainly relevant to a
J 19pproved For Release
6 : CIA-RDP61S00750A000700060020-5
 Approved For Release 2008 RT DP61 SOD75OA000700060020-5
single department. These coordinated research programs also provide
collection guides. where necessary. In addition, it should be recalled
that each of the intelligence producing units among the LAC agencies has
a research program designed to fulfill its various responsibilities to
community or national programs as well as departmental needs.
3. It is reasonable to inquire whether there is a need for greater con
l direction or coordination and more detailed accounting in the deployment
rch resources in respect to Priority National Objectives. I do not
believe so, except as special problems arise. In such cases we should deal
with them as necessary. Furthermore. I believe no new overall machinery
required in the coordination of research for the purpose of providing
better guidance for the collection of intelligence information.
4.- Associated with each research office in the intelligence agencies
and centrally for each agency there are well established units with quite simi-
lar procedures for acquiring the raw data and intelligence information which
the intelligence producers need by levying requirements on appropriate ref-
erence or collection facilities. "Requirements" officers are in a sense mid-
dle men who are essential because of the size of our research organisations
and our collection organizations as well as their remoteness from one ano-
ther. The requirements officers must understand the needs of research, the
resources available and problems of collection. Their procedures are de-
signed to provide a clear request to the collectors for intelligence information
eded for research, to guard against duplication and to work out proper pri-
orities with the collectors. It should also be noted that collectors collect in-
formation which they have not been specifically requested to obtain, some of
which when disseminated may give rise to requests for additional collection
long the same lines. A fuller description of the coordination of requirements
is submitted at Tab A.
S. I have discussed this matter with the IAC representatives concerned
at some length. After consultation with the heads of their agencies they ad-
vise me.
a. That their respective agency's requirements are responsive to
DCID 4/4 although# of course, their responsibilities also include require-
meets not covered by that Directive.
b. That in their view the existing arrangements for the coordina-
tion of requirements, where necessary among the agencies, are adequate,
and
Approved For Release 2000/08/26 CIA-RDP61 SO075OA000700060020-5
 ik" CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 200608/26 : CIA-RDP61 SO075OA000700060020-5
c. That, in their opinion, no new overall coordination machan-
ism or procedures are required.
6. In these discussions it was recognized that there are specific pro-
blems in the coordination of requirements which arise from time to time such
as the need for guidance on the part of the director of NSA or such as has re-
cently been the concern of the IAC with regard to defectors. It was recognized
that individual collection administrators are plagued from time to time with
shortages of funds and personnel or other weaknesses. It is believed that these
can be best corrected by being dealt with as specific problems, as indeed in
certain cases they are or have been.
7. Another aspect of improvement in collection is the coordination of
assets available to the US missions abroad as they proceed to act on the require-
ments served from Washington Headquarters. This report does not deal with
that subject and any judgement thereon would require investigation and assembly
of facts not yet accomplished as far as I am aware. It may be that you may
wish to iwrite the IAC to join you in such an investigation.
8. Recommendations:
a. That no now overall mechanism be established for the rdina-
tion of requirements for the collection of information. AT
b. That as specific problems arise they be treated dire s j.
40
c. That. insofar as the regular procedures of the agenc or tsi
IAG do not seem suited to deal with a given problem, you asst an officer
to make a special investigation with a report and recommendat s to you,
r to the IAC when appropriate.
25X1A9a
Special Assistant to the Director
for Planning and Coordination
Approved For Release 2000/08/26_: CIA-RDP61SO075OA000700060020-5
11