22 NOVEMBER 1954 BRIEFING OF THE TASK FORCE ON INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 8, 2001
• Sequence Number: 38
• Publication Date: November 22, 1954
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release ZOjyj4Q4 : CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
hiNhiORANDUlt FOR TILE kLCORJ
SUILTNCT:
22 Scree:mbar
1934 tlft
on latsUigence Activities
tIze Task Force
principal topics Included in the brioftug today were
C 0 M1111130. 112, Sovist Intelligence Services, and Operational
. Colonel Lane was obviously impressed with the number
of aids and studies prepared by the Agency on International
Communism and Soviet Intelligence, requesting that a number of these
be made available for his future perusal.
2. Colonel Lane remarked that in the last month or so, General
Clark has received a large amount a correependence from interested
citizens, former employees, crank*, etc. all suggesting methods
for improving the American Intelligence System sad pointing out
supposed weaknesses. He stated that one patriotic citizen, on his own
expanse, came to Washington from Maine in order to have a personal
meeting with General Clark so that he could demonstrate why the
is Services were on the wrong track. added thint 011310 rat
Is beading a committee to study all this correspondence on
that he (Colonel Lane) was going to suggest to General
Clark that these letters be made available to the Agency upon completion
of the investigation.
3. Colonel Lane demonstratedinterest in the procedure
of getting clearances and the granting of approvals for the use of
indigenous agents which again points out his security mindedness. Ile
remarked that a finger of scorn has been pointed at us because of our
use of uncleared butigenous persesnel and that certain people, including
Sweater McCarthy just canyt realize and won't anderstand that the use of
such personnel is essential in this business and that. in reality, it is
impossible to clear them in the same sense that we clear U. S. personnel.
Colonel Lane added that CIA undcnzbtedly dee. have Communists working
for them, but knows it in each instance.
4. Colonel Lane remarked that ens report criticized Agency for
use of low-caliber agents sad recommended that we should attempt
Approved For Release 2001/09104: CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
22 3
Approved For ReleastiA0 O4: CIA-RDP88-00374ROM100270038-0
F, if)
Aker class of iIpts. There etas as
ea We report.
25X1A
c
Approved For Release 2001/09/0*CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
Approved For Re se 2001/09/04 : CIA-RDP88-00374R008100270038-13,
22 November 1954
Questions asked by Colonel Lane during 22 November Briefin
Q. In your opinion, why was Beria eliminated?
Q. To what do you attribute the lack of Communist strength in Panama?
Q. What are the intentions of the Communists with respect to South
America? 25X1C
Q. Did you get any top Soviet agents as a result of the
Q. Do the other Services (Army and Navy) request training from you
people on the Russian Intelligence Service?
Q. What percentage of EsMe in this game go batty?
Q. How do you people tie in
with Colonel Sheffiei t,ciwarcts
Q. How do you recruit indigenous agents?
Q. Do you recruit agents also in the United States?
Q. Who has the responsibility to determine, in the final analysis,
whether or not to use one of these indigenous people?
Q. How long does it take to get a provisional operational clearance?
Q. How many people do you have in your branch? (Asked of every branch
visited)
Approved For Release 2001/09/04: CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
Approved For Release 2 IA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
kinioRANotru FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT
ZZ November 1954
ZZ November 1954 Briefing of the Task Force
on Intelligence Activities
1. The principal topics included in the briefing today were
International Communism, Soviet Intelligence Services, and Operational
Clearances. Colonel Lane was obviously impressed with the number
and caliber of aids and studies prepared by the Agency on International
Communism and Soviet Intelligence, requesting that a number of these
be made available for his future perusal.
Z. Colonel Lane remarked that in the last month or so, General
Clark has received a large amount of correspondence from interested
citizens, former employees, cranks, etc. all suggesting methods
for improving the American Intelligence System and pointing out
supposed weaknesses. He stated that one patriotic citizen, on his own
expense, came to Washington from Maine in order to have a personal
meeting with General Clark so that he could demonstrate why the
Clandestine Services were on the wrong track. He added that General
ekW141.11diedi
Lemositaea4is heading a committee to study all this correspondence on
its merit, but that he (Colonel Lane) was going to suggest to General
Clark that these letters be made available to the Agency upon completion
of the investigation.
3. Colonel Lane demonstrated an unusual interest in the procedure
of getting clearances and the granting of approvals for the use of
indigenous agents which again points out his security mindedness. life
remarked that a finger of scorn has been pointed at us because of our
use of uncleared indigenous personnel and that certain people, Wadding
Senator McCarthy just can't realize and won't understand that the use of
such personae' is essential in this business and that, in reality, it is
impossible to clear them in the same sense that we clear U. S. personnel.
Colonel Lane added that CIA undoubtedly does have Communists working
for them, but knows it in each instance.
4. Colonel Lane remarked that one report criticized the Agency for
their use of low-caliber agents and recommended that we should attempt
This document has been
approved for release through
the HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM of
the Central Intelligence Agency.
,W9 Date
ERP
Approved For Release 2001/09/04: CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
(76.22-
Approved For 01/09/04 : CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
"ftle'l)fifft+111
in our recruitment to obtain a higher class of agents. There was no
further elaboration on this report.
5. Colonel Lana was quite elated over a specially prepared
Birthday Card.
-2-
.7
Approved For Release 2011/09/04: CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
25X1A
Approved For Release 2001/09/04: CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038.0
22 November 1954
Questions asked by Colonel Lane during 22 November Briefing
Q. In your opinion, why was Beria eliminated?
Q. To what do you attribute the lack of Communist strength in Panama?
Q. What are the intentions of the Communists with respect to South
America?
-
Q. Did you get any top Soviet agents as a result of the 'Operations? 25X1A
Q. Do the other Services (Army and Navy) request training from you
people on the Russian Intelligence Service?
Q. What percentage of people in this game go batty?
Q. How do you people tie in
with Colonel Sheffield Edwards?
Q. How do you recruit indigenous agents?
Q. Do you recruit agents also in the United States?
Q. Who has the responsibility to determine, in the final analysis,
whether or not to use one of these indigenous people?
Q. How long does it take to get a provisional operational clearance?
Q. How many people do you have in your branch? (Asked of every branch
visited)
Approved For Release 2001/09/04: CIA-RDP88-00374R000100270038-0
25X1A