PROPOSAL TO UPDATE MOSCOW OBSERVER'S GUIDE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01048A001100120108-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 7, 2005
• Sequence Number: 108
• Publication Date: December 16, 1969
• Content Type: MF

Approved F elease 2005/07/26: CIA-RDP80M0141 A001100120108-0
16 December 1969
AT
MEMORANDUM FOR: General Cushman
SUBJECT: Proposal to Update Moscow Observer's Guide
1? as Chairman of the Strategic Warning
Working Group, recommends aat you direct the National Indications
Center to revise and update the Moscow Observer's Guide (MOG)
and prepare similar guides for other East European capitals where
this seems advisable.
2. Background
AT
The MOG was prepared as a result of a recommendation in
a Warning Systems Survey conducted in March 1961. At that time
the USIB approved the Survey's recommendation that the MOG be
developed for coordinated coverage of activities, including civil
defense, in Moscow most likely to reflect abnormalities or prepa-
rations for hostilities. USIB assigned responsibility for preparation
of the MOG to the NIC with assistance from the USIB agencies.
The original MOG needs to be revised and updated. It is
heavily oriented towards Soviet civil defense preparations. It was
also compiled before the formation of DIA. Copies of the original
MOG and the conclusions and recommendations of the 1961 Warning
Systems Survey are attached. The MOG fell into disuse after a
flurry of interest in it during the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962.
requirement remains valid.
In August 1967, theleport on strategic warning
recommended that the NIC review and update the MOG. No follow-
up action was taken at the time. Early in 1969, however, the
Department of State proposed in the SWWG that the MOG be dusted
off, updated, and made required reading for all Foreign Service
officers assigned to Moscow. In April 1969, the Chairman, SWWG,
proposed to the Chairman of the Watch Committee that the NIC
review and update the MOG. has taken no action on
this recommendation. I believes that the
ST
ST
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3. Recommendation
AT
memorandum of 8 April 1969 and instruct the
Director, NIC, to update and revise the MOG and prepare similar
guides for other East European posts. A letter of instruction to
the Director, NIC, is attached for your signature.
ST
EA/DDCI
I recommend that you accept the recommendation in
Approved For Release 2005/07/26 : CIA-RDP80M0l048A001100120108-0