RESUME OF OCB LUNCHEON MEETING, 29 JULY 1959

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02159147
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: April 5, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-01964
• Publication Date: July 29, 1959

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29 July 1959
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Resume of OCB Luncheon Meeting, 29 July 1959
PRESENT: Mr. Dulles, Mr. Gray, Mr. Harr, Mr. McCone,
Mr. Murphy, Mr. Riddleberger, Mr. Scribner,
Mr. Washburn, Mr. Smith
1. Aid Programs in South Vietnam
Mr. Riddleberger opened a discussion of the recent series of
articles in the Washington Dail News, by Mr. Colegrove, which
have roundly criticized the administration of U.S. aid going to South
Vietnam. He said that this matter is now scheduled for investigation
by a subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, under
the chairmanship of Senator Mansfield. Ambassador Durbrow has
been called home from his post to testily and it is expected that he
and ICA's Deputy Director Saccio, as well as Mr. Riddleberger will
carry the brunt of the rebuttal testimony.
It was pointed out that not only are the implications and
innuendoes in the Colegrove series exaggerated and unfair, but that
the facts adduced are in many respects incorrect. This presents a
situation in which Administration officials should be able to defend
the program quite effectively.
2. Captive Nations Week
The DCI then turned to a discussion of the events leading up to
the proclamation of Captive Nations Week, and the repercussions
within the USSR, particularly in connection with the Vice President's
visit. He said that in his opinion the timing and content of the resolution
and the proclamation were most unfortunate, and represent a failure
of interagency coordination machinery. Mr. Murphy and the other
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members completely agreed. Mr. Washburn distributed a memo-
randum addressed to the OCB, sharply criticizing the ntire exercise.
(Memo attached to the original.)
Mr. Dulles commented particularly on the inclusio in the list
of "captive nations" of such areas as Georgia, the Ukraine, and
Idel-Ural. He pointed out that it has long been U.S. policy not to
challenge Soviet hegemony over such areas as these, and said that
their inclusion made it more difficult to carry on activities directed
against the plight of those truly independent nations which have fallen
into the Soviet orbit.
3. Afghanistan
Mr. Harr referred to a recent dispatch from Ambassador Byroade,
in which the latter referred to certain deficiencies in the U.S. aid
programs in that country, with particular reference to inadequate
equipment.
4. American National Exhibition in Moscow
The next subject discussed was the stealing of books from the
American Exhibition in Moscow and the removal of a number of books
by Soviet authorities. A question was raised as to whether the books
stolen could or should be replaced. The DCI commented that should
this be attempted and should the Soviets become aware of it, they
could undoubtedly turn the situation into a losing game for us by
continuing to have as many books stolen as we were able to replace.
There was some discussion as to what books actually were
removed by Soviet authorities, since the Embassy cable and published
news reports do not entirely jibe on this point. Mr. Washburn agreed
to secure an accurate list. Mr. Dulles also questioned whether some
of the books listed as having been removed might not, in fact, have
been unwisely selected in that they would be bound to give offense to
the Soviets.
5. Raul Castro Interview
The DCI distributed copies of the FBIS report of the Chinese
hells chreiber release on the subject of an interview granted by Raul
Castro to Chinese journalists. It was noted that Raul had taken a
strong pro-Communist line, among other things comparing Chiang
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Kai-shek to Batista. The DCI cautioned that this report must be
evaluated in the light of its source, but commented that it probably
was essentially true.
6. Situation in Laos
The DCI called the group's attention to the worsening situation
in Laos, referring to several State and CIA cables on this subject.
He said that it is too early to assess the true situation with all its
ramifications, but noted that eventual Communist takeover was a
possibility.
7. World Youth Festival
The Director then summarized the events going on in Vienna
in connection with the Communist World Youth Festival, pointing
out that things were not going as well for the Communist managers
as they might have hoped.
Distribution:
Orig. - DCI files
1 - DDCI
1 - DD/P
1 - BA/OCB
3
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