SSCI BRIEFING ON SOVIET DOMESTIC ISSUES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B00017R000200360002-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 26, 2012
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: April 3, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/26: CIA-RDP90B00017R000200360002-2
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OCA 87-1243
3 April 1987
SUBJECT: SSCI Briefing on Soviet Domestic Issues
1. Senator Bradley's SSCI task force on the Soviet Union
held its first briefing at 0915 on 3 April 1987 in SHOB-219.
The briefing was chaired by Senator Bradley. Senators
DeConcini, Murkowski, Cohen, Specter, and Nunn made appearances
of varying lengths. Staffers in attendance included Sven
Holmes, Dave Holliday, Jim Dysktra, John Despres, Jeanne
McNaughton, Blythe Thomas, Regina Genton, George Tenet, John
Nelson, Mike Mattingly, Natile Bocock, Ed Levine, Marvin Ott,
and Charlie Battaglia. CIA briefers were Doug MacEachin,
Direc a of Soviet Analysis (SOVA)
SOYA, SOYA, and Bob Blackwell, National
Intelligence Officer for the USSR. represented
2. Senator Bradley introduced the briefing by stating that
over the next six months or so (his task force) would be taking
OCA. A transcript was taken
an in-depth look at the Soviet Union from an Intelligence
Community and larger community perspective. The goals were to
3. Bob Blackwell began with an overview of the Soviet
domestic scene focusing on Gorbachev's reforms, opposition to
the reforms, and the decisionmaking process with emphasis of
the relationships among Soviet leaders. Senator Bradley was
interested in attitudes of the military, the KGB, the Party,
and the bureaucracy. followed with comments on the
economy with particular emphasis on economic strategy and
current and future performance. Doug MacEachin spoke to a
range of military subjects. (Mr. MacEachin later returned to
the subject of military strategy in Europe during an exchange
with Senator Nunn who arrived early for another hearing.) The
opening statements were followed b a thorough discussion of
issues on Senator Bradley's mind
CO ENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
4. Senator Bradley was highly complimentary of the opening
statements and of the quality of the discussion. John Despres
called later to reiterate Senator Bradley's favorable
impression. The next session will be the Soviet economy and
probably will be held in late April.
Chief, Senate Branch
Office of Congressional Affairs
OCA/Senate
(3 Apr 87)
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OCA#87-1217
31 March 1987
STAT
STAT
STAT
NOTE FOR: Doug MacEachin
FROM
SUBJECT : SSCI Oversight of Soviet Analysis
John Despres outlined for me his desired order of march for
Friday's Committee briefing.
--Start with a short summary of the Gorbachev agenda
paper by the authors.
--Blackwell to address question of what we know, and
need to know but don't know about how the politburo
works (i.e., decisionmaking).
--discussion of particular areas of 'substantive
policy" of greatest interest to Committee. This
includes the following, but other areas may come up.
--Economy: impact of economic developments on
military and security policy.
--Asia: risks and benefits of operations in Asia.
--Alternative geopolitical strategies.
We are not bound by who John wants to brief on each
subject. He said he just wanted to give of our briefers a
chance to brief. I think he asked that o the economy
and that you, Doug, speak to geopolitical strategies. John
said this first session was to establish a base line on what
the CIA knows and believes in this area. He said that this
will probably be the only time we appear alone. (I repeated
our position on briefing along with policy agencies.) There
will also be other sessions with briefers from think tanks,
OCA/Senat
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OCA#87-1218
31 March 1987
STAT
NOTE FOR: Doug MacEachin
SUBJECT: SSCI Oversight of Soviet Analysis (II)
John Despres called again to say that Friday's session is
now going to be held at 0915 vice 1400. Senator Bradley has
had a chance to review John's desired order of march and
requests that the following issues also be addressed.
--We will start with a review of last Fall's hearing.
What has been done? What do we plan to do?
--What are Gorbachev's chances of seeking and finding
additional sources of legitimacy for his
actions/agenda?
--What are his chances of success? Who are his allies
and opponents domestically, especially within the
military, the KGB, and the Party?
--What is his strategy for getting western economic
help and for splitting Europe by dangling prospects of
a unified Germany?
--What is the likelihood that labor shortages and
productivity decline will affect conventional force
size? If the Soviets wanted to save resources in
defense spending, where would they cut?
STAT
3C4/Senatl (31 ,,ar C;
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STAT
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STAT
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