LETTER FROM CHARLES A. SULLIVAN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR PLANS AND PROGRAMS, OFFICE OF DEFENSE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001100090036-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 1, 2007
• Sequence Number: 36
• Publication Date: April 30, 1958
• Content Type: MFR

FEMA re vi ew s c I . For Release 2007/06/Q ' PO I, RDP80BO166fO(Ddpt Q -4ompleted
:i0 April 1956
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Letter from Charles 4L. Sullivan, ssistant
Plans and Programs, Offce of
Director for
Defense Mobilization (ER 10-3124) to DDCI
(undated - received in O/DDCI on 4/'28/58)
s of subject letter with enclosure, were provided to
roriate representative
p
j,
5X1
rom this Agencyat t. a meeting referre
from
ne
letter. This information was referred by p
I]to Mr. Sullivan's office on 30 April, and should suffice
as an answer to his letter.
letter or
General Cabell did not see the
but was advised by
by the appropriate component of the Agency.
25X1
p
3wou d be an aC~I
d to
ane
Mr. Su
i
ctor
a %'r'ro For 2007/06/01.: -RDA Bbsl 0 10 090036-4
 Approved For Release 2007/06/01 : CIA-SE
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT %' 211
OFFICE OF DEFENSE MOBILIZATION
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
Lt. General C. P. Cabell, USAF
Deputy Director
Central Intelligence Agency
2430 "Et Street, N. W.
Washington 25, D. C.
There are enclosed copies of a draft document responsive
to a Presidential assignment to Ott, transmitted by the Executive
Secretary of the National Security Council, to prepare plans for
the wartime assignment of responsibility for and coordination of
activity in the area of foreign information and psychological
operations.
Your review of this document would be appreciated in
preparation for a discussion with other interested agencies,
including Department of Defense, Department of State and U. S.
Information Agency, on May 1 in Room 226 Winder Building at
2:00 p.m. Following that meeting agencies are requested to submit
their positions concerning the proposed structure by Monday, May 5.
Sincerely yours,
Charles A. Sullivan
Assistant Director for Plans and Programs
r rEr
/VA
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Wartime Organization for Foreign Information and Psychological
Operations
The Problem
To delineate wartime responsibilities within the
Executive Branch for the coordination of foreign
information and psychological operations.
Discussion The experience of World ?'War II and Korea and the
advent of nuclear weapons make it increasingly
important that maximura benefit be derived from overseas information and
psychological operations during time of war, As has been recognized,
existing organizational arrangements for this purpose we inadequate.
The organizational arrangements outlined in this
memorandum would be applicable under conditions of limited and general
war, Principal elements of the Executive Branch involved in foreign
psychological and information programs are the Departments of Stags and
Defense, the CIA and USIA. Under wartime conditions each of these agencies
has a major contribution to make in carrying out United States psychological
and information programs.
It is the purpose of this paper to delineate
wartime responsibilities of the Departments and i. eneies of the Executive
Branch which would be required by the President. for policy and operations.
The organization within the Executive Office responsible for advising the
President on wartime foreign information and psychological. operations is
dependent upon review of an entire range of matters requiring Presidential
attention in wartime, and is, therefore,, not dealt with in this paper.
SECRET
ODM. 23701
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SECRET
Past experiences in overseas information and
psychological operations in wartime, as well as probable developments in
the future, particularly general war involving nuclear weapons, make it
clear that the establishment of an emergency wartime organization for
handling these activities is not practicable in the case of limited, war
nor feasible in general war.
In reviewing the various alternatives, and as a
result of discussions with Departments and agencies concerned, it is
agent that no single department or agency having responsibility for
overseas information and psychological programs can be designated as
responsible for establishing and implementing policies of the entire
r',xecutive Branch. As a result, it is concluded that in time of wear, those
agencies having responsibilities for such programs will and should partici-
pate in the development of both policies and programs.
Based on the foregoing, it is assumed that in war-
time the Department of State will continue to originate international
political objectives and foreign policy, advise the President on
foreign affairs, and implement forei ,n policy when approved by the President.
Since foreign information and psychological
operations are not ends in themselves but are part of the means by which
international political objectives are attained during war, it follows
that all overseas information and psychological plans, programs, and
operations carried on by Executive agencies must be in consonance with
the foreign policy guidance provided by the Department of State,
SECRET
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-3-
The State Department, therefore, not only must
provide appropriate agencies with guidance concerning the foreign policy
of the United States aa-?required for the conduct of information and
psychological operations, but must, with the exception of military theaters
of operation, coordinate the implementation of such programs.in allied and
neutral countries, utilizing the facilities of other departments and agen-
cies in disseminating this program. As wartime United States foreign
information and psychological operations must of necessity be related with
those of allies, the State Department must coordinate, as necessary,, U.S.
psychological operations with other governments, with the advice of appro-
priate Executive agencies which have technical know-how and resources.
In military theaters of operation, which for the
purpose of this paper include enemy hold territory, immediate combat areas,
and countries in which U.S. lines of communications and other military
support forces are located, all efforts and resources available to prose-
cuting the war against the enemy and assuring support for U.S. forces must
be placed at the disposal of the theater commander and under his policy
direction.
The Department of State shall make available to
the Department of Defense a representative who shall serve as political
advisor to the theater commander who along with other responsibilities
will, under the direction of the theater commander be responsible for
information and psychological programs. (This matter is discussed in fur-
ther detail under Department of Defense responsibilities.) Accordingly,
SECRET
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in areas other than military theaters of operation, foreign informatio'i and
psychological programs should be carried out on a country team concept as
is the policy at the present time in accordance with
The following responsibilities for wartime overseas
information and psychological programs are proposed:
A .&Pa
Originating international political objectives and
foreign policy, and advising the President on foreign
affairs,
Implementing foreign policy approved by the President.
Providing foreign policy guidance for all plans, programs,
and operations in the field of foreign information and
psychological operations carried on by Executive Branch
agencies.
Directing the policy and controlling the content of the
program which presents for use abroad official U.S.
positions, with the exception of military theaters of
operation. This will be accomplished under Department of
State chairmanship, on a "country team" principle.
Coordinating, as necessary, U.S. psychological operations
with other governments,, with the advice of appropriate
Executive agencies having technical know-how and resources,
J2, The Dena. tment of Dew
Planning and executing psychological operations in military
theaters of operation, where information and psychological
SECRET
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programs will be under the direction of the theater commander,
In order to assist the theater commander and to provide maximum
effectiveness, there shall be established in each theater of
operations a representative of the Department of State, as
political advisor, who shall be responsible for developing and
Implementing, under the direction of the theater commander.,
information and psychological operations. The political advisor
shall operate as the theater commander's deputy for such activi-
ties, shall have available to him representatives of other
government agencies having responsibilities for these activities,
including USIA, CIA, and psychological warfare combat teams.
The political advisor will. (a) coordinate such operations with
the Department of State to assure conformity with U.S. foreign
policy; with the USIA to ensure that such operations are con-
sistent with U.S. overseas information programs in areas when
U.S. forces are not engaged, and as appropriate the CIA; and
(b) coordinate as necessary, information and psychological
operations with other governments in the military theaters
of operations.
,g. TY a M. Ss Information Agenov
Supporting the Department of Defense, in accordance with
Defense-USIA agreements, in conducting foreign information
operations in military theaters of operations. This support
SECRET
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will be carried out by USIA overseas organizational units,
intact, under the direction of the (U.S.) theater coriander,
and his political advisor. Planning and conducting foreign
information operations in areas other than military theaters
of operation, in accordance with DFpartanent of State foreign
policy guidance, and in the field as part of the "country team."
Coordinating informational operations originating in areas
other than military theaters of operations with the Department
of` Defense when such operations will directly affect approved
strategic plans or strategic direction of military forces, and
with the CIA to assure any desired and practicable support.
SECRET
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Conclusions It is recommended that:
(1) The National Security Council approve the above
proposed wartime assignments of responsibility
for the coordination of overseas wartime information
and, psychological operations.
(2) The National Security Council direct the establishment
of an interagency committee composed of representatives
of the Deparbnents of State and Defense, the U. S.
Information agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency.
The Corw ittee to be chaired by the Chairman of the
NSC Planning Board and charged with the development
of interagency plans, organization and procedures
required to implement the proposals contained herein.
SECRET
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SECRET
Wartime Organisation for Foreign Information and Psychological
for-Foreign
/a _.ylz Y
The Problem To delineate wartiriie responsibilities within the
Executive Branch for the coordination of foreign
information and psychological operations.
Discussion The experience of ?Iorid 'Jar II and Korea and the
advent of nuclear weapons make it increasingly
important that maximum benefit be derived from overseas information and
psychological operations during time of war. As has been recognized,
existing organizational arrangements for this purpose vtre inadequate.
The organizational arran-ements outlined in this
memorandum would be applicable under conditions of limited and general
war, Principal elements of the Executive Branch involved in foreign
psychological and information programs are the Departments of State and
Defense, the CIA and USIA. Under wartime conditions each of these agencies
has a major contribution to make in carrying out United States psychological
and information programs,
It is the purpose of this paper to delineate
wartime responsibilities of the Departments and Agencies of the Executive
Branch which would be required by the President for policy and operations.
The organization :aithi.n the Executive Office responsible for advising the
President on wartime foreign information and psychological operations is
dependent upon review of an entire range of matters requiring Presidential
attention in wartime, and is., therefore, not dealt with in this paper,
SECRET
ODM. 23701
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 Approved For Release 2007/06/01: CIA-RDP80BO1676RO01100090036-4
SECRET
-2-
Past experiences in overseas information and
psychological operations in wartime, as well as probable developments in
the future, particularly general war involving nuclear weapons, make it
clear that the establishment of an emergency wartime organization for
handling these activities is not practicable in the case of limited war
nor feasible in general war.
In reviewing the various alternatives, and as a
result of discussions with Departments and agencies concerned, it is
apparent that no single department or agency having responsibility for
overseas information and psychological programs can be designated as
responsible for establishing and implementing policies of the entire
cecutive Branch. As a result, it is concluded that in time of warp those
agencies having responsibilities for such programs will and should partici-
pate in the development of both policies and programs.
Based on the foregoing, it is assumed that in war-
time the Department of State will continue to originate international
political objectives and foreign policy, advise the President on
foreign affairs, and implement foreign policy when approved by the President.
Since foreign information and psychological
operations are not ends in themselves but are part of the means by which
international political objectives are attained during war, it follows
that all overseas information and psychological plans, programs, and
operations carried on by Executive agencies must be in consonance with
the foreign policy guidance provided by the Department of Stater
SECRET
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 Approved For Release 2007/06/01: CIA-RDP80BO1676RO01100090036-4
SECRET
-3-
The State Department, therefore, not only must
provide appropriate agencies with guidance concerning the foreign policy
of the United States a$: required for the conduct of information and
psychological operations, but must, with the exception of military theaters
of operation, coordinate the implementation of such programs in allied and
neutral countries, utilizing the facilities of other departments and agen-
cies in disseminating this program. As wartime United States foreign
information and psychological operations must of necessity be related with
those of allies, the State Department must coordinate, as necessary, U.S.
psychological operations with other governments, with the advice of appro-
priate Executive agencies which have technical know-how and resources.
In military theaters of operation, which for the
purpose of this paper include enemy held territory, immediate combat areas,
and countries in which U.S. lines of communications and other military
support forces are located, all efforts and resources available to prose-
outing the war against the enemy and assuring support for U.S. forces must
be placed at the disposal of the theater commander and under his policy
direction.
The Department of State shall make available to
the Department of Defense a representative who shall serve as political
advisor to the theater commander who along with other responsibilities
will, under the direction of the theater commander be responsible for
information and psychological programs. (This matter is discussed in fur-
ther detail under Department of.Defense responsibilities.) Accordingly,
SECRET
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 Approved For Release 2007/06/01: CIA-R DP80B01.676R001100090036-4
SECRET
-4-
in areas other than military theaters of operation, foreign informatio-i and
psychological programs should be carried out on a country 'team concept as
is the policy at the present time in accordance with
The following responsibilities for wartime overseas
information and psychological programs are proposed:
~? The Pgt. t., o t,
Originating international political objectives and
foreign policy, and advising the President on foreign
affairs,
Implementing foreign policy approved by the President.
Providing foreign policy guidance for all plans, programs,
and operations in the field of foreign information and
psychological operations carried on by Executive Branch
agencies.
Directing the policy and controlling the content of the
program which presents for use abroad official U.S.
positions,, with the exception of military theaters of
operation. This will be accomplished under Department of
State chairmanship, on a "country team" principle.
Coordinating, as necessary, U.S. psychological operations
.with other governments, with the advice of appropriate
Executive agencies having technical know-how and resources.
Th_ a Department of Defense
Planning and executing psychological operations in military
theaters of operation, where information and psychological
SECRET
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programs will be under the direction of the theater commander.
In order to assist the theater commander and to provide maximum
effectiveness, there shall be established in each theater of
operations a representative of the Department of State, as
political advisor, who shall be responsible for developing and
implementing, under the direction of the theater commander.,
information and psychological operations. The political advisor
shall operate as the theater commander's deputy for such activi-
ties, shall have available to him representatives of other
government agencies having responsibilities for these activities.,
including USIA, CIA, and psychological warfare combat teams.
The political advisor will (a) coordinate such operations with
the Department of State to assure conformity with U.S. foreign
policy; with the USIA to ensure that such operations are con-
sistent with U.S. overseas information programs in areas when
U.S. forces are not engaged, and as appropriate the CIA; and
(b) coordinate as necessary, information and psychological
operations with other governments in the military theaters
of operations.
g. The U. S. Info oration Aggncry
Supporting the Department of Defense? in accordance with
Defense4USIA agreements, in conducting foreign information
operations in military theaters of operations. This support
SECRET
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will be carried out by USIA overseas organizational units,
intact, under the direction of the (U.S,) theater comrrand.er,
and his political advisor. Planning and conducting foreign
information operations in areas other than military theaters
of operation, in accordance with Department of State foreign
policy guidance, and in the field as part of the "country team."
Coordinating informational operations originating in areas
other than military theaters of operations with the Department
of Defense when such operations will directly affect approved,
strategic plans or strategic direction of military forces, and
with the CIA to assure any desired and practicable support.
SECRET
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Conclusions It is recorurended that:
(1) The National Security Council approve the above
proposed wartime assignments of responsibility
for the coordination of overseas wartime information
and psychological operations,
(2) The National Security Council direct the establishment
of an interagency committee composed of representatives
of the Departments of State and Defense, the U. S.
Information Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency.
The Corm+i.ittee to be chaired by the Chairman of the
NSC Planning Board and charged with the development
of interagency plans, organization and procedures
required to implement the proposals contained herein.
SECRET
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