INFORMAL MINUTES OF MEETING OF, INTERDEPARTMENTAL FOREIGN INFORMATION ORGANIZATION, AND CONSULTANTS OCTOBER 16, 1950

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01065A000500120038-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 14, 2001
• Sequence Number: 38
• Content Type: MIN

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_EDE PARTMENTAL. ?
. FOREIGN INFORMATION aRGANIZATION AND CONSULTANTS ON MONDAY
OCTOBER. 161 IN OFFICE OF DIEUCTOR.
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PRESENT2 DepaTtment of State - Mr. Barrettt, Directoe
Mr. Stone9 Executive- Secretary
Phillip6. ---
- Mr. Oechsner ?
Depa?thent of Defelt4c - General Magruder
joint Chiofs of Staff - Admiral Stevens
DepaTtment of the Army - General McClure 25X1A ?
Cental Intelligence tgencyl
BoonOmic Cooperation LdminiStration Mr 6 MUllen
National Security nosburces Eoard - Mr. Sheppard
Present for dicussion of item I On the agenda:
DepatTent of State - Mr.,Ohly
Mr. Hilton (F7ACC)
Mr. Sargeant
Mr. Frye
Department of Defense Mr. Adams (FMACC)
Econothic Cooperation Adinistration - Mr. T bier
In openinE the discussion. of IteM I of the agend ?v Mr. Barrett
asked the Executive Secretary to introduce members of the FMACC
Information Committee an,f.1 others present for this Subject, Follo*-
ng a brief buirMay 61 the paper. on Information Activities of MDAP0
referred ,to the Board for its views., Mr. Barrett sUggested a.
general discussion off broad polic!'r objectives and called upon
pember8 of the Ioard for their comment60
Admiral Stevens .expressed general agreement with the need
for increased ilformation actiVities..and_stated that he. assumed. .
information relating to MDF vould be distributed-. through existing.
information outlets and would make use of U. & public information
facilities alreldy set up.
General McClure endorsed the need for increasing emphasis
on the military aid program as part of our overall objective to
build up the de2enses in Europec,
-General Magruder while agreeing with the philosophy expressed
in the paper stressed the need for putting specific information
objectives into proper perspective in relatiOn to our fundamental
policy objectives. He felt that a nW ?appraisal of policy and
aid procedures vas desirable and necessary'0 He asked how additional
information specialist's would be recruited and paid for.'
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thought that a vigorous inforthation program in
support of our basic policy was important, Regarding the means
of implementation, he asked whether it was clear that new per-
sonnel would be assigned to existing information staffs.
Mr. Ohly, after commenting on the need for a new appraisal ,
of public information, policy, said that it was his understanding
that personnel would be aseigned to the Public Affairs Staffs in
our Embassies. He noted that there was some question as to how
regional coordination could be achieved, but indicated there was
general agreftent on the necessity for coordination of information
activities in Western Europe.
Mr. Adams stressed the need for shifting our emphasis in
Europe to the central theme of "survival" and indicated a number
of special projects which could be carried out to encourage
popular support in MDAP countriee. He thought there was a special
need to build up morale of troops
Mr. Hiltonsin response to further questions about the organi-
zational arrangements for new information specialists, confirmed
Mr. Ohly's understanding that additional personnel would be assigned
to the Public Affairs staffs at our Embassies.
Following further discussion, there was general agreement _
that a new appraisal of public information policy and procedures
was both desirable and necessary. The coneensua was that infor-
mation activities regarding MDAP and NAT should be intensified as
an essential part of our overall information in support of the
basic objectives of U. S. foreign policy. It was felt that ?DAP
information activities cannot be regarded as a separate informa-
tion problem.but must be closely related to our overall foreign
policy aims and those of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Activities in this field must be effectively integrated with the
U. S. foreign information program. It was understood that infor-
mation specialists required for MDAP-NAT would be assigned to the
Public Affairs Offices of U. S. Embassies and would be paid for
by the Department of State.
With respect to item II of the agenda, Mr. Stone submitted a
report on the status of the Korea plan, which is being developed
by the working group under Lt. Col. Davis. He summarized the
working group draft, noting those sections which had been completed
in draft form and those which still remained to be completed anol
coordinated by the working group. He suggested that when Col Young
and Col. Bonnaker returned they might be invited to assist the
working group in completing its plano
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General McClure reported. that COl. Van Wagoner of the Army.
ReWentation Branch, had leturned froaaa survey trip to Tokyo
ad might also be helpful te the workingngroup. It was apparent
eaid that there Would be a need for new equipment for the prep/a-
e'elda and reorientation task' in North Korea. General McClure also
noted that a reply had been received from Tokyo to the directive
on reorientation.
Mr. Barrett said that his talk with Mr. Connors confirmed
General McClure's opinion- regaeiing the need for personnel and
equipment in the next phase of tee Korean Operation.
Mr. Mullen offered the assiseence of Mr. Edward Johnson,
the ECA 'representative in Korea, wlo hes returned to Washington
this week.
Admiral Stevens strongly emphasized the need for producing
a plan, even though it Might be incomplete, etfee.events in Korea
overtake us. In-respopee to it question by Mr. Stene, it was agreed
that the plan Might he simplified by' omitting some tions deale
ing with objectives and themes in other parta of the erld. There
was' general agreement that the plan should be completeu in draft
form as soon as possible for review by the Boardp
With respect to item TIT on the agenda, Mr. Barret inteeeeeed
Mr,; Davidson Taylor who reported on the MIT rwearch project, ?
Mt. Taylor stated that the advance group is arriving in Washngton
this week an that briefing sessions will be held in Washington
from October 23 to October 28, starting with Mr. Webb and Mr. Barrett
and including area, media and technical briefing. Admiral Stevens
will participate in the briefing on October 27 an0 arrangements
are being made for participation by representatives of other depart-
ments and agencies.
After completion of briefing in Washington, the group will
devote a week to fixing priorities end developing terms of reference
Lor specific tasks. February 11 1951, has been set as the target
date for completion of the final report. .Mre Taylor indicated,
however, that there would be interim reports, including a report
on jamming0
asked whether the group would be briefed on security
and tnetur nr will be concerned with covert projeCtse In response
to the first qeestidn? Mr. Taylog, stated that the group was being.
cleared for top secret and briefed by M. Nicholeon, State Depart-
ment Security Officer. Regarding the second question, Mr. Barrett
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indicated trat the group would not be directly concerned with
covert t4krities,
but he recognized that they would necessarily
ae
be lead inquire into possible covert means of penetrating the
Iron Cureain. Mr. Barrett saw no reason to inform the group in
detail ,n current covert activities or even to indicate what agency
was ce4cerned with this field. He suggested that I lmight 25X1A
consi,er whether it would be desirable to have one of his men
aveveable for briefing? said he would consider this. 25X1A
Mr, Barrett also indicated the probable need for a plausible
,earer Cor this project, and suggested that the members of the
etecap ulght be described as working on "improving communications
techniques."
Mr. Mullen asked whether the Board would be interested in
avthorizing a survey of Japanese prdpaganda methods in South East
Aeia, whicb might produce basic information useful in China and
oaler areas of the Far East. He reported a conversation which he
had had with a man recently returned from service with SCAP, who
might be in a position to undertake such a survey.
General McClure noted that ORO is undertaking research in
Korea and suggested that other intelligence sources might be
checked, Mr. Barrett proposed that thin matter be deferred to
the next meeting and asked Mr Phillips and Mr. Stone to look
into availability of current intelligence in this field,
Admiral Stevens said thaL he had taken a closer look at the
question as to whether the Navy might operate a floating transmitter.
It appears that this eight be possible in time of peace, provided
that some other department woald be Oele to carry the cost of
operation and maintenance. Re indicated, however, that the problem
in 'Mee of war would be much more difficult? Mr. Stone was requested
to inform Mr. Bulten and Mrd Kohler or Admiral Stevens, comments,
Befpre adjourning the meeting Mr. Barrett referred briefly
to the need for exploring new methods in the propaganda field in
-support of U, S. objectives, He had in mind the possibility of
developing concerted measures, or campaigns, directed to specific
targets and utilizing all available means at our disposal. For
example, one target would be the communist theme of the ?infalibility
of the Kremlin." Another target would be to undermine the Soviet
held in the Satellites, After brief discussion, it was agreed to
consider this problem at a future meeting.
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