MONTHLY REPORT--ABIDJAN BUREAU--AUGUST 1981

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00385R000200010009-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 13, 2007
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: September 2, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/06/14: CIA-RDP83-00385R000200010009-1
MAB 080
2 September 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, FBIS
THROUGH Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT . Monthly Report--Abidjan Bureau--August 1981
The continuing strength of the dollar has resulted in good fiscal
news for the bureau, and for individual Americans residing in the
Ivory Coast. The exchange rate reached a high of 309 CFA to one
dollar on the 11th, and the average exchange rate for the month was 300.
As the exchange rate has improved, the bureau's projected costs have
decreased: We currently project expenses in personal services OC's to
be some $57,000 less in FY-81 than was projected at the beginning of the
fiscal year. For individuals, the improved rate is equally welcome.
Though most essentials bought in Abidjan remain considerably more ex-
pensive than in the U.S., the gap has narrowed measurably.
II. MONITORIAL/EDITORIAL
1. During the month, Bureau Engineer) conducted remedial
training sessions with each of the bureau monitors individually. The
monitors were instructed in proper use of the bureau's antenna array,
better utilization of alternate frequencies, and the need for careful,
accurate tuning of receivers. This training program, combined with the
shielding of all wiring in the operations area (see Engineering Attach-
ment), has resulted in improved reception of many transmitters in the
bureau's coverage area.
2. On 10,;August, during routine cruising of radioteletype signals,
the bureau monitored News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) transmissions for the
first time. NAN's daily transmission is monitorable in Abidjan from
0700 to approximately 1800 GMT, when it fades out. An unusual charac-
teristic is that NAN also uses its beam for radio single sideband voice
conversations. The agency is proving to be a valuable source of infor-
mation on domestic Nigerian affairs as well as on international events
throughout Africa. Since assuming coverage, the bureau has filed over
17,000 words of NAN material.
3. On the 25th South Africa launched a major military operation
inside Angolan territory. Though the bureau has very limited coverage
of primary Angolan sources, we have filed several items from the press
agency ANGOP and a considerable amount of reportage on the incursion
from AFP. The bureau has been attempting to monitor ANGOP transmissions
STAT
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each day since early in the month. However, the agency is proving to be
an elusive target: It frequently strays far from its regular frequencies,
and signal strength varies widely.
4. On 10 August AFP reported that Liberian Head of State Doe
had announced the previous evening that his vice head of state, Gen.
Thomas Weh Syen, had been involved in a plot aimed at Doe's
assassination and had been arrested. At noon on the 10th the bureau
monitored an announcement from Monrovia Domestic Service that Brig.
Gen. J. Nicolas Podier had been named the new vice head of state. An
open watch was maintained on Monrovia Domestic Service and Radio ELWA
during the ensuing days. Reportage on the trial and eventual execution
of the conspirators was filed, as well as comments from various sources
alleging that Libya was behind the plot.
1. Bureau teletypist) (gave birth to a boy on 10 August. STAT
Chief, Abidjan Bureau
will remain on maternity leave until early November.
STAT
2. London Bureau Associate Editor) )arrived on STAT
25 August for a month-long TDY. Trevor is filling in while STAT
is away on R&R. Ben and his family left for four weeks in Kenya on I
the 28th.
Attachments
1. Engineering Report
2. Communications Report
3. Monthly Production Report
STAT
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ENGINEERING REPORT - AUGUST 1981
During the period 12-17 August, Bureau Technician
and myself installed new send and receive commo lines between the
microwave equipment on the second floor and the commo room downstairs.
The lines were run in half-inch type LT. This is similar to BX with a
weather-proof plastic cover. The LT provides excellent shielding of the
lines and is grounded at a point near where it enters the building.
A 1:1 isolation transformer was also installed to eliminate the
interference from the B-315 high-speed logic switching from feeding
back into the tech power lines. This was the same circuit feeding our
receivers.
These steps proved effective in reducing interference an average
of 15 DB.
Q
Engineer, Abidjan Bureau
STAT
STAT
L STAT
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 ABIDJAN BUREAU
FBIS CIRCUIT. OUTAGES FOR AUGUST 1981;
HRS MIN HRS MIN
DATE GMT TIME. (PLANNED) UNPLANNED) REMARKS
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0750-0820
1005-1305.
10
0915-1015
12
1800-2230
20
0700-0800
28
1507-1514
1915-1950
TOTAL :
30
7
35
1+ 30 6 12
Weather problem
Weather problem
Equipment modification
at TCU
Unknown
General light off.
'Weather
'Total planned and unplanned outage: . 10 hours 42 minutes
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