LETTER TO MR. JOHN N. MCMAHON FROM THOMAS POLGAR REGARDING KXCOM REVIEWING THE PLANNING PROJECTIONS OF THE SEVERAL DIRECTORATES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00914R002100120073-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 27, 2007
• Sequence Number: 73
• Publication Date: September 3, 1982
• Content Type: LETTER

Mr.. John N< McMahon
The Deputy Director of Central. Intelligence
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Dear Joha ` s .
Thomas Polcar
September 3, 1982
This is in're
ply", to yours . of . the 4th 'of August ,in which you
indicated that EXCOM wiil' review` the planning projections of the
several Directorates 'around 13 September and then arrive at a
preliminary. decision to, guide the, development of a final (?) paper
in the context of developing !?investment strat se
egy models" and such
are,'.,of course, essential to "help meet, our obligations in the frame-
work'of,the governmental budgetary processes. The inevitable budgetary
constraints.."oven during the -more generous years, force-us to seek-
ways ,to --.-as you put it - !get. the inost bang for our buck" -- but
the' essential 'financial considerations also force the attention of
our planners away fromthe substance of the mission I referred to
this in my letter.of .20 July 1982 by pointing out that our planning
appears to be related primarily to budgetary. requirements, or as a
basis for the respective components to ask for more in terms of
'The' planning process outlined 'in -your "letter makes good sen
review or challenge some of the. fundamentals which have guided our.
clandestine .activities, since World War II.:_11. Are our field stations
abroad,'as'presently"constituted, still viable ?
Conversely, relatively little or no attention is given to
reporting in advance of-the economic calamities
whch will, lnevizaaiv bear also on U1 S_ in+arac+c 71
seeme ' o me.,".
_JJlt ng my s eca e-o. sere ce tha our younger'officers were simy
not equipped intellectually. to''cope with the "socia?economic problems
that influence political decisions. 'As 'an. example, just what kind of
6fA 9-11F
 reporting. ?. Is. not ' there-'something the"Agency'might do to assist
the Ambassador.: to upgrade and..systematize-overt reporting from his
. . V , ld: be. robbins;' Peter' to-' nav Paul.. of course. If we
few ambassadors take this coordination responsibility of theirs
seriously and the results are uneven. Yet DDI cannot possibly do
a good job without a-continuing flow'`of reliable and timely overt
From most countries of the world, our. intelligence community
will have to rely on overt reporting.*, The coordination of such
reporting is the responsibility of the Ambassador (NSCID/2), but very
were ..to try-to superimpose.,. such an additional requirement on the
already overworked and..overexposed Chiefs, of Station.
`Charles de Gaulle once observed that "Great powers have to choose
between great difficulties. The United States-is a very great power,
and-the American choices, therefore, are exceptionally difficult."
There is a lot of truth:in that' Observation and it applies
is not only difficult. but will also be controversial.
equally to CIA; being a'very.'large intelligence agency as well as. the
leader in a gigantic intelligence community, the Agency is"constantly
confronted with a multiplicity of choices. Making the right decisions
solutions free of the pressure of deadlines and day-to-day executive
responsibilities. =
As I suggested to you'in my earlier letter, I think that you
could be served well by a Planning Board or a"think tank" under what-ever
name. Such a unit could be a catalyst or sounding board for substantive
suggestions and permit unhurried discussions of problems and possible
e hub .ofevents.
cannot. test the validity:or, . pr acticability-`of suggest-finns this "far::from
-The above concepts were not intended to be either definitive or
all-conclusive. -I can think and read a lot in Maitland, Florida but
retirement,. last year.. in no sense-diminished my continuing
o"utilize:my,services,":I.would be very-happy to consider your proposal.
.`have spentvirtually all taffy adult years. . If you -can think of any way
eagerness to assist?.3n the development'and improvement of a service in which