LETTER TO MR. RAMSEY FORBUSH FROM GEORGE BUSH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91M00696R000900020007-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 9, 2004
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: April 1, 1976
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Fl~ase 2005/07/28: CIA-RDP91 M00696~0900020007-9
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON,D.C. 20505
1 April 1976
STAT
Mr. Ramsey Forbush
Dear Mr. Forbush:
Helene Boatner has been kind enough to show me your
thoughts on how National Intelligence should be produced. As
you may know, I have a responsibility to reexamine the system
and make changes if I think them necessary. Since I am approach-
ing the problem cold, the views of those who, like yourself, have
been deeply involved and understand what is required are especially
valuable.
You might be interested to know that I had lunch a few
weeks ago with several of your ONE colleagues, including Sherman
Kent and John Huizenga. They and a number of others have urged
me, as you have, to reestablish an advisory board. I have not
yet decided to do so, but the arguments in favor are strong and
you have reinforced them.
Again, many thanks for your suggestions. Please feel free
to write again. I would like to stay in touch with our distinguished
alumni.
Sincerely,
Q~~p~.UT1ON e'O
2 ~Z
Q
v m
~~b ^~2
Approved For Release 2005/07/28: CIA-RDP91 M00696R000900020007-9 ~~~6-19~rO
 roved For Release 2005/07/28 :CIA-~91 M00696R000900020007-9
DIRECTOR OF CENTR NTELLIGENCE
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proved For Release 2005/07/28 :CIA-RDP91 M00696R000900020007-9
 Approved For Release 2005/07/28 :CIA-RDP91 M00696R000900020007-9
'r`.1'MORANDUM FOR:
Attached is another input to the "what to do
about national intelligence" problem. It was
sent to me by Ramsey Forbush. Ramsey, as
you may recall, was the last head of ONE
(during the months between Huizenga's
retirement and abolition of ONE) and the first
head of OPR. Between retirement and moving
to Santa Fe, he headed the OTR-sponsored
team that did the study on "CIA Intelligence
Support for Foreign and National Security
Policy Making. " This one is for you to pass
on to the DCI if you think he~l be interested. I
am sending a copy ~ti
FORM N0. REPLACES FORM 10.101
1 AUG 54 IOI WHICH MAY BE USED.
Approved For Release 2005/07/28 :CIA-RDP91 M00696R000900020007-9
 Appro? For Release 2005/07/28: CIA-RDP9~0696R000900020007-9
REt~RGANIZING TO IBHPROVE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Recent Congressional cavortizigs aside, it is a fact that the
performance of CTA and the Intelligence Community in the preparation
of National Intelligence has been extremely uneven during the past
few years. Improvement is both possible and necessary; it must stem
principally from organizational change. For only if there is a more
potent and skillful dia?ecting body can National Intelligence become
more respoaasive to the need's of key policy makers, more supportive
of their difficult tasks, and ffiore anticipatory of emerging problems
which they will have to face in th? future.
A new ?ffice for the I'roduetion of National Intelligence should
be established, absorbing the effective practitioners amore present
National Intelligence Officers aa~ taking on certain functions now
sketchily handled by the Intelligence Community Staff (which should
be approgrriately reduced in size)o This new office should be headed
by a distinguished expert on international affairs who would report
directly to the DCI and, at the same time, maintain close workiaag
relationships 'with the various intelligence production shops in the
Community. The office itse]f would b? relatively small but would
command the best talent obtainableo
Responsibilities would include:
1. separation of A~ational Intelligence Estimates
of high quality and-peaceptiveness;
a. %ntimate contact with ~licy makers and the provision
of National Intelligence relr~vant to their concerns,
~~ Laoking ahead, independently, so as to identify and focus
attention upon neev international problems before they
have ful],y emerged;
!~. Regular review of the intelligence products of Community
elements and the selection of the best for special
atte~nt~ionq~b'y polifcyr~mankers; perk.odtiinc~adyv~gi~_c~e~.~t~oi~the DC~cI
Approved For~ere~ep~~0~~ur~1~~'C - ~TNfQ~~B`RUUOg0U~20(Y~T-9'
 Approved Fc?elease 2005/07/28 :CIA-RDP91 M00~000900020007-9
The main components of th? new office would- bee
1? Its director and ?a senior- advisory ~ranel of 8 or 1?
distinguished-inte111gence figures who would take
the lead in-assuring the quality of National Estimates,
exercising the independent anticipatory rol?, and
overseeing the p~?ocess- of? broad review;-
2. A liaison?staff-of gerhaps a dozen who would, keep up
regular, frequent contact with policg makers, faking
sure that National Intelligence was effect~.vely
transmitted ~~ and-reslsonsive as we?11 as responsible;
3?A ~rmanent substantive staff of 20 oa?:~..25. middle?grade
intelligence officersa-most of whom-would be area
specialists, and all of whom would be selected for
perceptiveness of mind, for drafting talents, and for
a bunt toward predictive intelligence;
!a. A changing cadre of highly specialized experts, seconded
from other production offices in the Community-for such
periods as required to prepare particular National. Intelligence
Estimnates or to carry through other projects of outstanding
ia~portaa~ce.
{1n office thus designed would be small enough?to hold bureaucratic
problems to a ~nimum~so as to devote all its energies to the challenging
assignments it would face. It would have the strength to do a superior
fob ?m not only through the prowess and imagination of its own ~opl?,
but also through its ability to call u~-n the very best resources available
ar~gwhere in the Intelligence Co~nunity.
Tt could, I am convinced, do much to overcame some of the most
glaring weaknesses in present intelligence performance.
i~
Rams/~o h
Approved For Release 2005/07/28 :CIA-RDP91 M00696R000900020007-9
 Approved For ~ase 2005/07/28: CIA-RDP91 M0069~00900020007-9
CENTF~AL. IN'T'ELLIGENCE AGENCY
tlV ASFtINGTON, Q.C. 20505
Mr. Ramsey Forbush
Dear Mr. Forbush:
Helene Boatner has been kind enough to show me your
thoughts on how National Intelligence should be produced. As.
you may know, I have a responsibility to reexamine the system
and make changes if I think there necessary. Since I am approach-
ing the problem cold, the views of those who, like yourself, have
been deeply involved and understand what is required are especially
valuable.
You might be interested to know that I.had lunch a few
weeks ago with several of your ONE colleagues, including SPrerrnan
Kent and John Huizenga, They and a number of others have urged
me, as you have, to reestablish an advisory board. I have not
yet decided to do so, but the arguments in favor are strong and
you have reinforced them.
Again, many thanks for your suggestions. Please feel free
to write again. I would like to stay in touch with our distinguished
alumni.
Sincerely,
George Bush
Approved For Release 2005/07/28: CIA-RDP91 M00696R000900020007-9
 ` Approved For ~ase 2005/07/28 :CIA-RDP91 M00696~00900020007-9
MEMOP,A~DU~9 EOR:
~` Special Asst. t
Attached is another input to the "what to do
about national intelligence" problem. It vas
sent to me by Ramsey Forbush. Ramsey, as
you may :recall, was the last head of ONE
(during the months between Huizenga's
retirement and abolition of ONE) and the first
head of OPR. Between retirement and moving
to Santa Fe, he headed the OTR-sponsored
team that did the study on "CIA Intelligence
Support for Foreign and National Security
Policy Making. " This one is for you to pass
on to the DCI if you think he~ be interested. I
am sending a copy to Dick J ?~hman.
IvAUGN 54 (vl YHICH CMAYEBEMUSED'D'
DATE)
--15 Mar76 j
Approved For Release 2005/07/28 :CIA-RDP91 M00696R000900020007-9
 Approved For ~ase 2005/07/28 :CIA-RDP91 M0069~00900020007-9
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