OSS - PLAN FOR AFGHANISTAN/SITUATION IN ARGENTINA/GERMAN-ITALIAN PLANS WITH RESPECT TO ARGENTINA, 1941

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: OSS Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP13X00001R000100030011-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 44
• Document Creation Date: November 3, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 17, 2013
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: September 4, 1943
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/09/17: CIA-RDP13X00001R000100030011-9
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/09/17 : CIA-RDP13X00001R000100030011-9
Declassified and Approved For Release 2913/09/17: CIA-RDP13X00001R000100030011-9
sosossons
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
INTEROFFICE MEMO
To:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE: September 4, 1943
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Plan for Afghanistan
WO have endeavored to promote a mining enterprise and an
oil exploration party in Afghanistan to provide clover for OSS personnel.
The recently-arrived Afghan Minister has expressed interest in such
projects. However, the outlay involved and the unlikelihood of early
returns on such investment have deterred any of the various companies
interviewed from going ahead at this time. Suboequently, the Cermet,
Institution and the Smithsonian Institute were approached with the in-
tention of festering a survey party for geologic, archaeologic, or
geographical purposes. These overtures are continuing. After ay talk
with you it appears feasible to organise a mining survey party who
could initiate explorations for strategic minerals, the mhole expense
being under $100,000 per year. This will enable four parties in dif-
ferent parts of the country, three to the north along the Russian
border and one in the south along the Iran or Indian borders, with head-
quarters lug:AWL'
If the 14h= Minister will issue approval for this survey
mission, with advantages accruing to the Afghans in the shape of tech-
nical data an acquired, an agreed export tax on any mineral shipped,
and with no exploration nor development expense to be borne by the
Afghans, such an enterprise could be inaugurated at once.
It maybe advisable to obtain sponsorship of an established
aiming company in order to use their name and to initiate arrangements
with the Afghans; this also biting possible through the erieudship of
Clapp or Hart who are well known to the present Minister. Personnel
with mining qualifieations have been interviewed and can be organised
at once, preferably as soon Is the prejeot is written up and approved.
The outlay should mat total more than $160200,000 over a 2-year period.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/09/17: CIA-RDP13X00001R000100030011-9
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/09/17: CIA-RDP13X00001R000100030011-9
COORDINATOR',, , NFORMAT ION
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To: Colonel Colonel William J. Donovan
G,, -T,.. .,Robinson, and 3. A. Mot.iiiP,PP;
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Suble-ct: ii;EstablIishing-DiPiomatic Relatio:ns with
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Weyifiish-to call your attention to, a matter' bearing
directly.;'on the ,supply' Of Ruspia from the, south. '
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You may recall- that ,before , he, ,lef,t, ;Washington for?
the Near - East, Mr.- ,