PLAN FOR CONDUCTING PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS DURING GENERAL HOSTILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R003200010018-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 8, 2005
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: October 17, 1951
• Content Type: OUTLINE

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TOP GECRDT 1 ctober 1951
Copy2-3 of 50 Copies
PT FOR LONDUCTI3JG PSYCHOLOGII I; -OPE'RATIONs
1 luring
GENEMI HOSM-ITTi
(Code Name:
(a)
Presidential. Secret Directive of 4 April 1951
);stablishing a Psychological Strategy Board.
(b) Approved Role of Psychological Strategy Board under
4/4/51 Presidential Directive,
(c) NSC 10//2.
(d) NSC 20//4.
(e) NSC 59/1.
i;nclosure: (1) Copy of reference (a),
(2) copy of reference (b).
g -- fI I4N
To conduct psychological operations in pursuance of prescribed national
objectives during general hostilities,
II; --_ DEFINITIONS
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Within the purview of this plan the following definitions shall applys
a, PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS: Shall include all activities (other
than overt types of economic warfare) envisioned under NBC 59/1 and 1012*
See references (a) and (b).
NSC review(s) completed.
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b, MILITARY TREATER OF OPERATIONS; A so entitled., geographically
delimited, and competently proclaimed portion of a theater of war necessary
for military operations., either offensive or defensive., pursuant to an
assigned mission, and for the administration incident to such military
operations.
co TO COORDINATE: This expression means that agencies "coordinated
with" shall participate actively; that their concurrence shall be sought;
and that if concurrence is not obtained$ the disputed matter shall be re-
ferred to the next higher authority in which all participants have a voice.
That the United States and its Allies are engaged in general hostili-
ties forced upon them by the USSR or any of its satellites.
NATIODUi; -Minmrlm -MUCH i3IMi -lampkiN IiF
CMFUITIIJN -OF tlMIA Hy=-ITZES
During a condition of general hostilities United States National Objec-
tives vis-a-vis the USSR will be., unless modified by appropriate authority,
as set forth in Paragraph 19 of NSC 20/4;
"To counter the threats to our national security and well-being posed
by the USSR., our general objectives with respect to Russia, in time of
;peace as well as in tin., of war, should be:
"a, To reduce the.power and influence of the USSR to limits which
no longer constitute a threat to the peace, national
independence and stability of the world family of nations,
"b. To bring about a basic change in the conduct of international
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relations by the goverrlEient in power in Russia, to conform with
the purposes and principles set forth in the UN Charter.
"In pursuing these cbjectives due care must be taken to avoid pernan.-
ently it airing our economy and the fundamental values and institutions
inherent in our way of life."
i Ic PRl-TCZP?LEB- (7F -QPE A'I''I{
it Psychological operations programs are established instruments of
national policy and shall' therefore, be consistent with and directed
toward the achievement of national objectives,
2, As,appropriates psychological operations and policies and plans
pertaining thereto shall be coordinated with similar operations, policies
and plans mf our Allies,
'~T; I3~`Lli iT < F p(1N I 3I3;2T1FS
10 The Psychological Strategy Board shall be responsible for:
(a) the formulation and promulgation, as guidance to the departments and
agencies responsible for psychological operations,, of overall national
psychological objectives, policies and programs, (b) Lhe coordination
and. evaluation of the national psychological effort.
2, The Joint Chiefs of Staff, in conformity with established national
policy and Psychological. Strategy Board guidance,, and except as provided
in paragraphs VI 4 and 'VI 5 ittmediately below, shall be responsible for
planning and execution of U.S. psychological operations in military theaters
of operations.
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3, The Department of Mate, in conformity with established national
policy and Psychological Strategy Board., dance, and except as provided in
paaragraphs VI 4 and VI 5 ir. ediately below, shall be responsible for the
planning and execution of U.S. psychological operations in areas other than
military theaters of operations.
In situations in which a military theater of operations embraces
territory of a government which exercises civil authority and to which a
U,S, diplomatic rdssion is accredited, in conformity with established
national policy and Psychological Strategy Board guidance and except as
provided in paragraph VI 5 immediately below:
a. The Joint Chiefs of Staff shall be responsible for U.S,
psychological operations directed toward eneriy, eneray-
occupied, or allied-occupied territory.
be The Department of State shall be responsible for U,$,
psychological operations directed toward nationals of the
country concerned.
c. The Joint Chiefs of Staff shall be responsible for establish-
ing arrangements for coordination of psychological operations
conducted by a theater commander and chiefs of mission
within the theater,
5, Covert psychological operations shall be planned, conducted, and
coordinated in accordance with NSC 10/2, the pertinent provisions of NSC
59/1, and Psychological Strategy Board guidance.
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6; S Psychological ope!rationst.4ln areas other than nail tary theaters
of operations shall be coordinated with the Joint Chiefs of Staff when
such operations will directly affect current or ttu a military actions.
7. ,, Psychological operations In military theaters of operations shall
be coordinated with the Department of state and other U.S. departments and
agencies having psychological operations responsibilities in cases where
theater psychological operations will have direct effect outside the
theater of operations upon current or future psychological operations of the
`_department hr.-agencies concerned.
8. The Psychological Strategy Board shall ensure, through the govern-
ment agency or agencies appropriate in the instant circumstances, any
necessary coordination of national psychological operations, policies, or
plans with the appropriate agency or agencies of other governments,
9. The Joint Chiefs of Staff shall be responsible for any necessary
coordination of U.S. psychological operations with similar operations of
other gorvernnents in military theaters of operations.
10, The Department of state shall be responsible for any necessary
coordination of U.S. psychological operations with similar operations of
other governments outside; military theaters of operations,.
11. All government dopartmentr and agencies which are not elsewhere
uantioned in this plan and which are or may be assigned responsibilities
for executing psychological operations outside the U.S, shall:
a, Adhere to guidance issued by the Psychological Strategy
Board.
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Coordinate their policies and plans with the Joint Chiefs
of Staff for activities in military theaters of operations
and with the Department of State in areas other than military
theaters of operationsi
Coordinate their operations in the field with the senior
U,S, military officer in military theaters of operations
and with the chief of the U.S diplomatic mission in areas
other than military theaters of operations,
12. The Central Intelligence Agency shall ensure that appropriate
intelligence support is provided for U.S, psychological operations and
that intelligence activities of government departments and agencies in
this field are properly coordinated,
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__ iw^..wari rn^^^ rrr ^.~~i+ . r ^.r..r^r+
Information facilities and appropriate personnel of the Department of
State and other overt executing agencies in areas wthich become military
theaters of operations sh3,11 be made available to the senior U.S. military
officer in that theater uader statutory and other competent authority
during the approximate time of military control in that area, Plans for
orderly transfer.. and later return., of information facilities and appropri-
ate personnel of the Department of State and other overf!executing agencies
shall be coordinated by the Psychological Strategy Board,
M1.16- z6mi-m -AND -==ION
1. This basic national psychological operations plan is in effect
for planning purposes. All government departments and agencies baying
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responsibilities specifice-Ily assigned herein shall, as a natter of high
priority, draft supporting plans and make all preparations necessary for
efficient execution of the provisions herein contained,
This plan shall be executed upon Presidential proclamation that
a state of general hostilities exists with the USSR and its satellites,
upon official declaration of wax with the USSR and its satellites., or at
such other time as the President may direct.
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(COFY)
T< +.J ilTN HOUSE
ifashington ,Lpril 4, 1951
IiIRECTI U"' TO; The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
It is the purpose; of this directive to authorize and provide for
the more effective planning, cooraination and conduct, ~Tithin the frame-
work of approves national policies, of psychological operations.
There is hereby established a Psychological strategy Board responsible,
within the purposes and terms of this directive, for the formulation
and promulgation, as guidance to the departs 'tents and agencies responsible
for psychological operations, of over-all national psychological
objectives, policie~ and programs, and for the coordination and evalua-
tion of the national psychological effort.
The Board will report to the National Security Council on the
Board's activities, and on its evaluation of the National psychological
operations, including implementation of approved objectives, policies
and programs by the departments and agencies concerned.
For the purposes of this directive, psychological operations shall
include all activities (other than overt types of economic warfare)
envisioned under NSC 59/1 and NSC 10/2, the operational planning and
execution of which shall remain, subject to this directive, as therein
assigned,
The Board shall be composed ef;
a, The Undersecretary of State, the Deputy Secretary of Defense,
and the Director of Central Intelligence, or, in their absen6e,
their appropriate designees;
b. An appropriate representative of the head of each such ether
department or agency of the Government as may, from time to
time, be determined by the Board.
The Board shall designate one of its members as Chairman.
A representative of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall sit with the
Board as its principal military adviser in order that the Board may
ensure that its objectives, policies and programs shall be related to
approved plans for military operations,
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There is established under the Boars' a Director who shall be
designated by the President and who shall receive compensation of
~16,000 per year. The Director shall direct the activities under the
Board. In carrying out this responsibility, he shall
a. Be responsible for having prepared the programs, policies,
reports, and recommendations for the Board's consideration,
b. Sit with the Board and be responsible to it for organizing
its business and for expediting the reaching of decisions,
c. Promulgate the decisions of the Board,
d. Ascertain the manner in which agreed upon objectives, policies,
and programs of the Board are being implemented and coordinated
among the departments and agencies concerned,
e. Report thereon and on his evaluation of the national psycho-
logical operations to the Board together with his reeommorda-
tions,
f. Perform such other duties necessary to carry out his responsi-
bilities as the Board may direct.
The Director, within the limits of funds and personnel made avail-
able by the Board for this purpose, shall organize and direct a staff
to assist in carrying out his responsibilities. The Director shall
determine the organization and qualifications of the staff, which may
include individuals employed for this purpose, including part-time
experts, and/or individuals detailed from the participating departments
and agencies for assignment to full-time duty or on an ad hoc task force
basis, Personnel detailed for assignment to duty under the terms of
this directive shall be under the control of the Director, subject only
to necessary personnel procedures within their respective departments
and agencies,
The participating departments and agencies shall afford to the
Director and the staff such assistance and access to information as
may be specifically requested by the Director in carrying out his
assigned duties.
The heads of the departments and agencies concerned shall examine
into the present arrangements within their departments and agencies for
the conduct, direction and coordination of psychological operations
with a view toward readjusting or strengthening them if necessary to
carry out the purposes of this directive. The Secretary of State is
authorized to effect such readjustments in the organization established
under NSC 59/1 as he deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this
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This directive dots not authorize the Board nor the Director to
perform any "psychological operations".
In performing its functions, the Board shall utilize to the maximum
extent the facilities and resources of the participating departments
and agencies.
/s/ Harry S. Truman
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T3? Srte '.. RI D
'vised
PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGY BOLRD
28 September 1951
Role of Psychological Strateg.Y Board
under 51 Presidential Directive
The President's Directive creates the Psychological Strategy
mo f'o ivp~,apl nn of psychological operations
Board to provide
within ~he !ramework of approved national policies, - o coordinate the
zgenci.es off' govern-
-Psycholo ical eratioU. of all departments and
nen , ano evarue the effectzvOr esQ- of the national psychological
effort.
The members of the Board are the under Secretary of. State, the
Deputy Secretary of Defense, and the Director of Central Intelligence.
The Director, appointed by the President, sees that the decisions of
the Board are carried out, A representative of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff sits with t!ze Board as its principal milita1T adviser; and the
Board nay add to its number from time to time appropriate representa-
tives of the heads of other governmental units.
The Board is the nerve-center for strategic psychological operations.
At the apex of government, it provides a fo0a]. point for assuring the
planned use by all governmental unite- of activities to influence the
opinions, attitudes, emotions and bhavipr of foreign groups in ways
that will support the achievement of our approved national aims. Through
the Board,, the President is enabled to turn to one body, instead of
many, fora prompt assessment of these psychological operations--as to
magnitude, emphasis, pace, effectiveness, and responsibility for execu-
tion. Thus, a unified ba o is afforded from which to take from an enemy
the initiative in psychological operations.
The Board itself does not engage in operations. It is not con-
cerned with day-to-day problems arising in the psychological field,
except as they may affect progress toward major strategic objectives,
The Directive reposes in the Board the responsibility for overall psycho-
logical policies, objectives, and programs, and their coordination among
the various departments and agencies; provides for adjustments to be
Enclosure (2)
RESTRICTED
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r;STs ICTED PSB D-4
Rovisod
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made by such departments and agencies in their existing, arrangements
in this regard; and anonds previous National Security Council instruc-
tions to that extent.
1. The Board will prepare, in order to determine the frameworh of
its action under the Directive, an inventory of those approved national
policies which may directly or indirectly involve psychological opera-
tions; rocorm:aondin; to the appropriate agencies the adoption or devolop-
mont of such additional policies as may d_iroctl,i or indirectly involve
poychhlbg?calT operatic na.
2. In support of such approved national policies, the Board will
formulate and promulgate overall policies, programs, and objectives
for psychological operations; including overall strategic plans in
such detail as to enable operational planning; by departments and agen-
cies.
3. The Board will stlinulato all departments and agencies engaged
in operations having psychological aspects, to set up effective psycho-
logical operational plans;
a. by assigning to such departments and agencies the
preparation of psychological operational plans to carry out
any part of such ov,,rall strategic plans as to which no
psychological operational planning has boon initiated;
b. by reviewing all psychological operational plans
already initiated by departments and agendies in order to
assure that they are consistent with such overall strategic
plans, determining those plans which may bo left to the
initiating departments and agencies without further action
by the Board and those plans as to which the Board should-
take some further action.
4. The Board will determine as to the various psychological
operational plans: (1) emphasis, (2) priority, and (3) pace.
Enclosure (2)
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Revised
9/28/51
5. The Board will coordinate the execution by departments and
agencies of all such plans within the framework of overall strategic
Plans.
6. The Board will evaluate the programs of departments and agencies
and their exc.cutia through psychological operational -plans, in terns
of effective accomplishment of the national psychplaggical effort; selec-
ting programs and plans for evaluation which a .re most important to the
attainment of national objectives.
(End)
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Enclosure (2)
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