PSB ACTION ON PUBLICITY WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN AMERICAN WEAPONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01065A000400180005-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 1, 1999
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: February 7, 1952
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 1999/09/21 : CIA-RDP80-01065A000400180005-0
Co N F I D E N T I A L - -
DRAFT
7 February 1952
Security Information
PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGY BOARD
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Secretary
National Security Council
25X1A
TAB "All
SUBJECT: PSB Action on Publicity With Respect to Certain American Weapons
1. A series of conflicting statements made last Fall by high officials
of the Executive Branch of the government produced considerable public con?
fusion as to the facts concerning our atomic and related developments, They
raised doubts as to the degree of unity and confidence within the govern-
ment on the purposes of these weapons, Particularly, they gave rise to
considerable fears abroad, as to U.S, intensions with respect to the use of
these weapons.
2. For these reasons, the Psychological Strategy Board at its 4th
meeting, October 25, 1951, directed the preparation of a staff study on the
problem. At its seventh meeting, December 20, 1951, acting on the recom-
mendations contained in the staff study, PSB created a committee chaired
by the Director, Office of Public Information, Department of Defense, to
prepare a "national information policy" on the subject,
3, It was agreed at the Senior NSC Staff Meeting of November 19, 1951
to refer to PSB for appropriate action, in connection with this project, a
draft report by the NSC on "Release of Information Regarding New Weapons,"
dated July 5, 1950, action on which had not been completed.
4. The attached memorandum, Subject, "Memorandum on Public Statements
With Respect to Certain American Weapons" has been prepared in response to
the above board action.
a, At its meeting, 1952 the Psychological
Strategy Board approved the memorandum, recommended that it be transmitted
to appropriate departments and. agencies as an enclosure to a Presidential
directive (draft attached), and directed that its views be communicated to
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 Approved For Release 1999/09/21 : CIA-RDP80-01065A000400180005-0
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Security Information
the Executive Secretary, NSC. The Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal
Civil Defense Administrator joined in this approval and these recommendations.
b. The committee also examined the question of the adequacy of
speech clearance machinery as it relates to statements covering these
weapons. It concluded that the machinery created within departments and
agencies in response to the Presidential directive of 5 December 1950,
"Public Discussion of Foreign and Military Policy," should be used for the
enforcement of the attached memorandum rather than that a new clearance pro-
cedure should be established.
FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGY BOARD:
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CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/21 : CIA-RDP80-01065A000400180005-0