YOUR ARTICLE ON INTELLIGENCE FAILURES (CIRCA 12 OCTOBER 1979)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP98S00099R000501020015-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 23, 2012
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: October 16, 1979
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/23: CIA-RDP98S00099R000501020015-6
16 October 1979
Memorandum for
Subject: Your Article on Intelligence Failures
(Circa 12 October 1979)
1. In my opinion, your article is an excellent one,
both thoughtful and thought provoking. It is also well
written and easy to read.
2. A few comments:
a. Substantively, you seem to have avoided the
question of the influence o:E J5 polic;~ in alleged
intelligence failures; i.e., the "mini-set" of policy-
makers was perhaps worse i.n somL instar-ces than
could be attributed to intelligence r.:~:ficials.
When we had an intelligence failure i~ the military
(Pearl Harbor, Battle of the Bulge), I blamed the
commander, not the intelligence officer as the
commander's judgment was equally involved. And so,
policyrnakers must share the responsibility with
intelligence officials (not just intelligence
analysts).
b. With respect to your future intelligence
nightmares, Africa and South America seem to be
neglected. You could dream up some frightful
ones in those areas.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/23: CIA-RDP98S00099R000501020015-6