RECORD OF THE THIRTY FIRST MEETING OF THE FBIS-BBC MONITORING SERVICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE HELD ON 18-19 NOVEMBER 1980 AT WASHINGTON, D.C.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00868R000100040010-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 13, 2007
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: November 18, 1980
• Content Type: REPORT

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RECORD OF THE THIRTY FIRST MEETING OF THE FBIS-BBC MONITORING
SERVICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE HELD ON 18-19 NOVEMBER 1980 AT
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. David Witherow, Head of Monitoring Service, BBC
Mr. George Novakovic, Head, Reception Department,
BBC Monitoring Service
Director, FBIS
peputy Director, FBIS
Chief, Operations Group, FBIS
xecutive & ,"Planning Staff, FBIS
FINANCIAL OUTLOOK
FBIS noted the increasing costs of overseas monitoring operations,
including an inflation.rate of over 100 percent in certain areas,
and pointed out that Congress has not yet approved the FBIS appro-
priation for the current fiscal year, which began 1 October.. FEIS
is hopeful, however, of eventually obtaining funds for all current
operations, including those begun this past year with the special
appropriation for Muslim-World coverage.
BBC reported that the cash limit received for the current year does
.not cover inflation. Nevertheless, no staff cuts have been neces-
sary, as the deficit has been offset by deferring capital expendi-
tures and by receipts from. sales which have been good. There is
some gloom in store in the coming financial year, which begins .
1 April, when inflation may again be higher than the cash limit.
Moreover, next year promises to be as busy as the last with exist-
ing resources stretched to the limit. BBC is now preparing a case
for an increase in staff to provide some flexibility. Although BBC
is. currently receiving. high praise for its achievements over the
past year, there. is no certainty that additional finds will be forth-
coming.' BBC will make its case in December and know next year's
appropriation in February. (C)
DERIVATIVE CL BY
REVIEW ON 19 November 2010
DERIVED FROM C9B(3.2)
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more regional radio stations a day, along with TV. A second person,
had been assigned to Berlin to provide 7-day per week coverage at
the height of. the crisis, and such reinforcement could be provided
again. -The expanded coverage of Poland will continue for as long
as necessary.
BBC noted that it had had to increase its Polish staff to cover the
crisis; the Berlin operation has'proved invaluable, covering-8 or
FBIS expressed its appreciation for the excellent coverage of Poland
by BBC and noted that much material has been rim on the Wire Service;
this has been greatly valued by U.S. consumers.
BBC pointed out that its Berlin operation just happens to be near the
regional Polish transmitters of most interest in this crisis. A
crisis elsewhere in Poland or in other parts of East Europe might
present some problems as. far as regional and local stations are con-
cerned. BBC suggested exploration of the possibility of locating
other listening posts in the area, perhaps in Austria. FBIS agreed
to jointly explore this idea.
BBC noted the need for a second VCVC line, which will cost some
L40,000 per annum. A proposal for a second line will be included
in anticipation of the need to cover a Yugoslav crisis. BBC
3..
in the case BBC makes to the Treasury this December.
FBIS e ooted that its temporary monitoring van is in place in
rec armed its. intention to supply two monitors to this operation if
it"is.activated, while FBIS will provide the necessary editorial and
technical help. (C)
Sf7VIET UNIa .
BBC reported that since Brezhnev's speech in November 1978 on the
role of the mass media, Nbscow has instituted more newscasts and an
additional beam. Although the monitoring output has not increased
significantly, more listening time is now necessary. One monitor
has been added to the evening shift to cover this increase. BBC
pointed out that the monitoring of Soviet Ti
will in all likelihood add to the workload of the Russian
BBC and FBIS agreed that the processing of the audio signal from
Soviet TV will be handled by the BBC although the staffing implica-
tions will need to be carefully considered. FBIS will provide tech-
nical support and will handle any processing of video tapes.
CUNF I DEI`1I IP.L
STAT
STAT
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BBC noted that its interest in coverage of Russian regional stations
is as high as ever.- FBIS pointed out. that the Office of Economic
Research depends heavily on BBC's Weekly Economic Report for.regional
economic reporting. (A memorandum to this effect was provided-to
BBC.)
FBIS said that there is continuing interest in reporting on Soviet
nationalities and that FBIS remains committed to this coverage.
BBC and FBIS reaffirmed the commitment to round-the-clock coverage
of 2lbscow Domestic Radio. However, it was agreed that the two
services would examine the possibility of some reduction in the
processing requirements of unproductive feature programs, though
this would be done carefully'and prudently.
BBC reported that it has for the third time requested permission
from the local planning authority to construct the building neces-
sary to process the material from the Islamabad remote unit. The
planning authority is to meet in December; if it again turns dawn
the request, which is a real possibility, then BBC would select an
alternate site. In the meantime temporary space will be provided for
the monitors as they are recruited. (C)
4. IRAN, AFGHANISTAN AND THE SUB-CONTINENT
,FBIS reeported on progress -at Gulf Bureau where there is now Arabic,
Persian and Urdu capability, although no Asian minority language
monitors have yet been recruited. The-monitors are still relatively
unexperienced-and the bureau is undergoing some reception problems.
BBC noted the-unique regional coverage provided by Gulf Bureau in the
Iran-Iraq war and the fact that Teheran Arabic monitored by Gulf has
on several occasions carried items before the Teheran Domestic Service
in _Persian. .
FBIS reported that the communications link between the monitoring unit
in Islamabad and London should be established in a matter of days and
that this should provide improved coverage of Kabul, as well as cover-
age'of several Soviet regional stations. One staff technician and two
local technicians are now assigned to Islamabad.
BBC noted the difficulty in recruiting Asian minority language
onxtors.
B13C pointed out that with the seizure of the American hostages in
November 1979 it had instituted round-the-clock live coverage of
.Teheran domestic, increasing its Persian team from four monitors to
nine. The'24-hour live coverage will be continued as long as necessary.
MI", I
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FBIS noted that the BBC Persian team's effort is greatly appreciated
at all levels in the U.S. Government,- including the White House.
BBC recommended that requests for complete texts of speeches in
Persian be held to a minimmmn and FBIS agreed to screen carefully
all such. requests from U.S. consumers.
FBIS reported its belief that Iran will remain an area of 'intense
international interest long after the U.S. hostages are released.
FBIS recommended against any reduction in current Persian capabil-
ity, and noted that FBIS will retain its Persian capability. (C)
S.. MIDDLE EAST
BBC noted the.usefulness of patching programs from Nicosia and Gulf
Bureaus to Caversham when reception there was not good.
FBIS and BBC agreed to pursue the idea of a proper survey of the
:Cyprus sovereign base area. BBC expressed willingness to send some-
one, to carry out the survey. The main interest is coverage of Libya
and the Sudan. (C)
6. AFRICA
.BBC reported that reception in Salisbury is not markedly better than
that in Lilongwe. Given the political instability in Zimbabwe, BBC
is not proceeding at present with further investigation into the
.possibility of establishing a unit in Salisbury. BBC will continue
with its 2-man operation in Lilongwe.
FBIS reported that it. is still waiting for a reply from Swaziland on
its: proposal to locate:a.bureau there. If approval is received, FBIS
would, given the current funding situation, have to establish the
bureau as funds become available.
BBC noted the usefulness of the material provided by Abidjan Bureau,
particularly for the newsroom. BBC would welcome more from Abidjan
Bureau on all subjects and all countries concerned. (C)
7. FAR EAST
:FBiS reported that an additional Korean monitor has been added at
Seoul Bureau. DPRK TV coverage has been temporarily lost but hope-
fully will soon be restored.
FBIS reported that its remote antennas are now operational in Hong
Kong and should provide considerably better reception of Chinese
regionals. The Hong Kong Bureau will also soon be moving to a new
location. FBIS-will also be adding to its press coverage in Hong
Kong.over the next 2 years.
CONFIDENTIAL
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FBIS noted that the dish antenna at Okinawa *Bureau for monitoring
Soviet satellite transmissions should be operational in January.
k~Blb noted its intention to continue its current leve
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of Southeast Asia coverage and to possibly institute coverage of an
Indonesian media satellite transmission sometime in 1983.
BBC expressed its appreciation for the supply of Chinese, as well
as other Asian material. (C)
1VEST EUROPE
.BBC noted that the West Europe TV survey was in its 4th week and
should be completed soon. Both FBIS and' BBC will study the results.
BBC pointed out that the necessary conammications from Brussels were
difficult to=acquire and that considerable time should be allowed for
acquisition of such communications in the future.
FBIS reported that there is growing interest in reporting on West
Europe and-that this will probably continue. FBIS presently has no
funds to establish a West Europe bureau.
BBC reported that it is looking at the possibility of getting access
to Italian as well as other West European TV from Switzerland. (C)
9. CENTRAL AMERICA
FBIS'.reported the acquisition of leased lines from the U.S. embassies
in Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala to Panama Bureau.
Contract employees at each of these sites record and relay programs
to Panama over the leased lines. This has proved a very successful
operation, and production, from these stations has improved tenfold.
FBIS is considering a similar arrangement with leased lines from
Santiago, and eventually Lima and La Paz to Asuncion Bureau; greater
distances will be involved and. there will therefore be more expense.
and probably less. reliability. FBIS noted the problem of relying on
local leased lines, particularly in the case of political disturbances.
10. RELATIONS 1IThh
BBC noted) is. providing about as much material
as can be expected, given its resources, but that this does- not
represent a fair return for what BBC.gives BBC will
conti_:nue to seek a larger financial contribution
~n -return for the extra material bein rovided especially the
Polish file. BBC would also like to arrange for
monitoring :of East German -regional 'radios os which could be relayed for
processing by BBC in a crisis situation.
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FBIS re orted that it is satisfied with its exchange
FBIS will replace next stmimer and intends
to continue the arrangement indefinitely, (C)
11. FLASH COVERAGE AND FYI 'S
BBC noted its continuing interest in flash coverageand reported
that the guidance on this coverage.in the new FBIS editorial hand-
book is exactly right. In practice, however, BBC still finds many
fewer substantive flash FYI's than it would prefer.
FBIS agreed to remind each bureau of BBC's interest, calling atten-
tion to the appropriate section of the. editorial handbook...
FBIS reported a need-for better FYI Is from the Persian team.- The :
BBC- said that the ability of the Persian team to provide FYI Is was
steadily improving with experience; but there were very considerable
pressures on the team, with the BBC bearing in mind the special FBIS
requirements in regard to the hostage issue. (C)
12. .-TECHNICAL
FBIS reported on its efforts to make technical improvements, including
the development of a remote unit which can store and forward material
.with little on-the-spot human intervention; the acquisition of alter-
native circuits for the very expensive leased lines now used; and
various efforts to overcome reception -problems.
BBC reported that remoting of its radio-teletype room is proceeding
and that it is?looking at ways of modernizing the listening room. (C)
David ' Wi erow
Head of Monitoring Service
BBC
Director, FBIS
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Agenda for
BBC-FBIS COORDINATION MEN=ING
18-19 November 1980
Washington, D.C.
1. Financial Outlook
2. Poland and East Europe (Berlin, Vienna, VCVC,
Balkans, Brindisi)
3. Soviet Union (schedule changes, regionals, satellite
monitoring)
4. Iran, Afghanistan and Sub-Continent
5. Middle-East
6.. Africa (including Southern Africa)
7-. -Far East
8-. West Europe (including TV survey)
. 9.. Central America
11. Flash Coverage and FYI IIs
12.. Technical
13. Any Other Business
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(,~ -0 1 4
FBIS - BBC Monitoring Service 31st Coordination Meeting,
18-19 November 1980
Original - David Witherow
1 - FBIS Executive Registry
1-DDS&T
-1 - O/D/FBIS file
1 - C/Ops
1 - C/FCS
1 - C/DRD
1 - C/EDSS
1 - C/Prod
1 - C/AG
1 - each Field Bureau
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