EXPANSION OF OBI ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS PROCUREMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68-00069A000100080011-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 5, 1998
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: November 22, 1961
• Content Type: MF

App o ied'Por Relep
RbP68-000600100080011-8
22 November 1961
SUBJECT: Expansion of OBI Activities and Publications Procurement
MEMORANDUM FOR: CIA. Librarian
1. You and DAD/CR are well aware of OBI's newly-expanded activities
in the NIS research program and of the substantial increase in publications
support that will fall upon the Library, particularly upon Acquisitions
Branch. Subsequent to the general briefing you held in your office with
OBI representatives a few days ago, this Branch has been visited by various
OBI staff members for exposition of their plans and requirements for publi-
cations and considerations of our support thereof.
25X1A9a 25X1A9a
2. On 20 November 1961, and I met with
Chief, Latin American Branch, OBI in my office. During the course of
this detailed and very helpful discussion, , of his own volition~5X1A9a
expressed very strong views that a full-time, knowledgeable RPO is required
right now in Latin America. His arguments were well-reasoned and con-
vincingly presented. It appears that has had personal experience25X1Ac
in the area from which to speak: some years ago he was in Latin America as
book purchasing agent for the University of Pennsylvania. It was particu-
larly interesting to hear him express the hope that any RPO position in
Latin America, if ever available, should be filled by a CIA. person.
25X1A9a
3. did not of course speak for all of OBI. He did,
however, proffer the view that his thoughts on the subject would be largely
shared by the other OBI area branches, which have similar publication
support needs. In citing the shortcomings of procurement activity by State
personnel in the past -- it developed had been an employee of25X1A9a
State for about four years, and he spoke without any rancor -- he pointed
out that there was always some pressure from INR on these field assignees
for better performance and, now that INR is almost entirely out of the
picture, it might be likely assumed that the service of the State PPO's
would deteriorate even further for lack of this pressure.
4. I have developed this memorandum solely from the point of view
25X1 A9a that should. a need ever arise, we might reasonably request a formal state-
ment from and/or from other OBI Branches, outlining their
increased, urgent needs for publications support, as well as their views
that CIA control and staffing of the RPO positions are most desirable if
not essential. Such support from OBI may not be necessarily needed or
Approved For Release 2000/09/11 : CIA-RDP68-00069A000100080011-8
 Approved For Rele a ~b6ib4it- -RDP68-00069 000100080011-8
SUBJECT; Expansion of OBI Activities and Publications Procurement
even useful in effecting any agreements with State. In view of the
recent transfer of OBI personnel, however, there may develop a modicum
of fellowship between State and the former INR personnel which will
prove helpful to us. The primary utility of such OBI response would
lie in providing OCR with additional support within the Agency to
buttress its contention that CIA should take over and run the PPO
Program.
25X1A9a
Chief, Acquisitions Branch
Approved For Release 2000/09/11 CIA-RDP68-00069AO00100080011-8
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