LETTER TO THE DIRECTOR FBIS FROM C. F. WELCH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00793R000200120037-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 22, 2004
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: December 18, 1972
• Content Type: LETTER

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18 December 1972
The Director
FBIS
Box 2604
Washington, D. C. 20013
Dear Sir:
1. Pursuant to telephone conversations with ST
f your organization, I am requesting your consideration
that I be given access to the FBIS publication "Developments".
2. As explained in the above reference conversations, I am
working to attempt to bring back to life the Inter-American Broadcasting
System (TABS), which ceased operations with the advent of World War II.
At that time I was the director of the organization, affiliated with
the Mutual Broadcasting System, and headquartered in San Francisco
(the original letterhead is attached). The LABS was created to provide
for the exchange of radio programs between the U. S. and Latin America.
This was done, starting with Guatemala as a pilot operation, expanded
to the rest of Central America, then Mexico and finally, agreement
had been reached with Brazil at the time operations ceased.
3. Over the years, as you are aware, no significant effort was
made to rejuvenate the operation. I could no longer afford the role
of Don Quixote when I returned to inactive duty in the Marine Corps.
Instead I became special assistant to the Director of Federal Airways,
an office of the then CAA with responsibility for Alaskan communications.
From there, in 1950, I joined the organization as electronics advisor
to the then Chief of the Procurement and Supply Division, a part of
the Special Support Staff headed by George Meloon. I retired from the
organization on 31 July 1970.
4. This past year, retirement got the best of me, so I decided
to see what I could do to get the Americans, North, Central and South,
to start talking to each other. This was not done with any thought of
picking up an old career (64 is a little late for that) but because I
believe now, as I did in the 1930's that the ultimate salvation of
our way of life is a closely integrated "neighborhood" of the American
countries acting as one in the international community. With this in
mind, I took steps to bring myself up to date, technically and
economically. I then paid my respects to Ambassador Jova, the U. S.
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representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) and
the radio chief, Mr. Morales. A recent far reaching development in
the communications satellite field brought me together with Fairchild
Industries.
5. In seeking a logical entity to reorganize and operate the
IASS, I settled on the General Tire and Rubber Company, who has
significant interests in Latin America as well as broadcasting
expertise through its wholly owned broadcasting subsidiary, RKO-General.
Discussions are currently underway.
6. I have been appalled at the lack of vision and knowledge on
the part of those in the OAS I have met so far. It was for this reason
that I contacted citing the dearth of factual,
accurate information on communications and their problems in the Latin
America of today. They brought to my attention the publication
"Developments", pointing out however, that it was restricted to "Official
Use Only". They suggest this letter as an attempt to get special
dispensation for access to the publication.
7. As I have previously stated, I am not promoting anything for
myself, but for my country. On my retirement income I cannot afford
numerous costly publications, nor can I afford extensive travels. I
merely want to equip myself with the knowledge to be able to present
a strong, accurate plea, that the proposal to re-institute radio/TV
program exchanges between the American states be given the attention and
support it should have. Without this facility to communicate, person-
to-person, goodneighborliness, as called for in the charter of the OAS,
cannot exist. Recent occurrences in Latin America indicate that time
is running out.
3. Forgive this long disertation.
9. A favorable consideration of this request for access to
"Developments" will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
C. F. Welch
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UNCLASSIFIED G...QFIDENTIAL SECRET
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Remarks :
Jim: This is the complete package on Welch that
we discussed this mor ping; appreciate your re-
turning it with your comrlents. :
Based on what you said this morning Welch 'qpuld
make a case of it should he want to. Again,
the publication in question (copy attached) is
"technically" UNCLASSIFIED. We are giving it x
away to selected individuals or organizations
and I don't see how we can indulge in preferential
treatment under the Freedom of Info Act. I believ
we are vulnerable.
FBIS L$R
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401
K
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FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
FROM: NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE NO.
DATE
UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL
SECRET
FORM NO. 237 Use previous editions
1-67
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ST
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