SOVIET BLOC USE OF BORAX PRODUCTS ( BORIC ACID AND BORATES - I/L 3715) FOR ROCKET FUEL AND OTHER JET PLANE APPLICATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01203A000200180004-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 11, 2000
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: June 3, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79-01203A000200180004-1
S-E-C-R,--& TT
N0 FOR 7
ECONOMIC DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE COt4MIT
EDIC Case No, 8
Control No, 2162
3 June 1955
Soviet Bloc Use of Borax Products (Boric Acid and Borates s I/L 371)
for Rocket Fuel and Other Jet Plane Application
RECUESTING AGENCY AND DATE
Original request: Commerce/BFC, 13 May 1955-
Follow-up request: Joint Operating Committee, 26 May 1955
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF INFORMATION
As soon as possible
PROPOSE) USE
Information to be used by BFC and JOC in determining whether the
strategic rating of subject commodities should be raised. Material
should be prepared, insofar as possible, for subsequent use in
COCOM negotiations:,
BACKGROUND AND REFERENCES
Background - The BFC states that borax products, among other uses, are
and tore tore s od to have use in one form of rocket fuel and in jet plane
exhaust systems. A Soviet bloc shortage of borax and its products has
been well established and the bloc is making strenuous efforts to
obtain these products from the Free :;torldo It is imperative, at this
particular time, that an attempt be made to learn whether the bloc is
using these products in rocket fuel and in other jet plane application,,
If such use is confirmed, the USDEL will endeavor to obtain a higher
COCOM security rating than the present I/L III listing,
Cn 26 May JOC reviewed JOC Document No. 11S of 23 May 1955 and approved
implementation of PD 810 with respect to borax. During the 60- day
grace period proceeding implementation, bilateral discussions are to
be instituted with the UK, Western Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands
in order to effect cessation of re--export: to the bloc of US-origin
borax. Similar negotiations will also be held with Italy and Turkey
as producing countries which have shipped borax to the bloc,,
S-E-C=R-E T
State & Commerce declassification & release instructions on file
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NOFORN
ERIC Case No. 8
JOC recommended that COCOM be advised of the proposed bilateral
neL;otiations and requested up-to-date intelligence on strategic
uses of borax in support of the COCOM approach and the various
bilateral negotiations,
A preliminary survey has been completed, principally in CIA and
Defense, of intelligence on strategic uses of borax in the bloc.
This survey reveals that: a) available intelligence indicates
the bloc to be the equal of the U.S. in research on the military
application of this commodity group; b) little is known on actual
Soviet military uses of borax; c) the U,S. has moved from research
to actual production in this field; and,, d) an effort is being made
to guarantee sources to satisfy U.S. requirements which are na4
considered adequate.even though 98 percent of known world production
occurs in this country, Information on its strategic uses in the
U,S. is now being developed by Defense,,
References
a) IWG/ID.o15 dated 24 November 1953 on "Indications of Soviet Bloc
Vulnerability to Controls of West-East Movement of Boron Compounds",
b) Memorandum from Director Agricultural and Chemical Products
Division, BFC, to Coordinator Technical Task Groups, Department
of Commerce of 17 March 1955 on "Boric Acid and Boratee",
c) JOC Document No, 118 dated 23 May 1955 on "Implementation of
PD 830 With Respect to Borax,, US MESL Item 3715, Code Q(P) 4A"
ASSIGNMENT OF PRODUCTION AND/OR ACTION RESPONSIBILITIES
At the kDIC meeting of 2 June, responsibility for updating and
expansion of DJG/ID-15 in time to meet JOC and BFC requirements
was assigned to CIA.
25X1A9a
Executive Secretary
Distribution
cat. B `1,3-6,843)(EIC/S,M/N?)
C - (1-4)
D - (All)
E (1-3)
-2-
S-E-C-R E-T
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79-01203A000200180004-1