A REPORT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ON COORDINATION OF FOREIGN INFORMATION MEASURES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP09K00541R000700100030-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 11, 2011
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: December 9, 1947
• Content Type: REPORT

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Y cur COPY NO 21
A REPORT
TO THE
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
by
THE EXECUTIVF, SECRETARY
on
COORDINATION OF FORFIGN INFOWATION MEASURFS
December 9, 1947
WASHINGTON
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December a, 1947
NOTE BY TIE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
to the
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
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COORDINATION OF FOREIGN INFORMATION MEASURES
REFERENCES a: SANACC 304/11
b: NSC Action No. 11
At its second meeting the National Security Council re-
.'erred SANACC 304/11 to the National Security Council Staff
revision in the light of the comments at the meeting.
Tie enclosed report has been prepared pursuant to that di
?ec.ive, after consultation with representatives of the
partments of State, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force,
am of the Central Intelligence Agency.
It is recommended that the National Security Council
approve the enclosed report and authorize its submission to
the President, with the recommendation that he approve the
"Conclusions 't contained therein and direct that they be
implemented by all appropriate executive departments and
agencies of the U. S. Government under the coordination of.
the Secretary of State.
SIDNEY W. SOUERS
Executive Secretary
r;iStribution:
~he President
The Secretary of State
Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of the Army
The Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Air Force
The Chairman, National Security
Resources Board
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D R A F T f-CONF?3DDENT IA-b
December 9, 191+7
REPORT BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
on
COORDINATION OF FOREIGN INFORMATION MEASURES
THE PROBLEM
1. To determine what steps are required to strengthen
oordinate all foreign information measures of the U. S.
?..overnment in furtherance of the attainment of US national ob-
ANALYSIS
The USSR is conducting an intensive propaganda
cam-
directed primarily against the US and is employing co-
_r^in_ated psychological, political and economic measures de-
:,igned to undermine non-Communist elements in all countries.
The ultimate objective of this campaign is not merely to
..r_dermine the prestige of the US and the effectiveness of its
national policy but to weaken and divide world opinion to a
p'_',nt where effective opposition to Soviet designs is no
longer attainable by political, economic or military means.
In conducting this campaign, the USSR is utilizing all measures
available to it through satellite regimes, Communist parties,
and organizations susceptible to Communist influence.
3. The US is not now employing strong, coordinated in-
f'orh:ation measures to counter this propaganda campaign or to
t,-,e attainment of its national objectives. The e--
1+
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?.~-nsion of economic aid to certain foreign countries, particu-
1c_:?ly in Europe, is one of the principal means by which the
3 has undertaken to defend its vital interests. The nature
and intent of this aid and other US contributions'to world
peace is unknown to or misunderstood by large segments of the
world's population. Inadequate employment of information
measures is impairing the effectiveness of these undertakings.
4. None of the existing departments or agencies of the
.;S Government is now charged with responsibility for coordina-
ir- foreign information measures. in furtherance of the attain-
ment of US national objectives. Upon the Department of State
devolves the principal responsibility, under the President, for
he formulation and execution of American foreign policy and
the conduct of American foreign relations.
5. Facilities'now existing in the Departments of State,
,he Army, the Navy and the Air Force in the field of foreign
information or which can be utilized in this field are listed
in the Appendix hereto.
CONCLUSIONS
6. The present world situation requires the immediate
strengthening and coordination of all foreign information'
measures of the US Government designed to influence attitudes
in foreign countries in a direction favorable to the attainment
of is objectives and to counteract effects of anti-US propa-
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7. It is considered that the initial steps to implement
paragraph 6 above should be designed to provide closer coordi-
nation of policies, more effective integration of existing
facilities, and intensification of foreign information measures.
8. a. The Secretary of State should be charged with
formulating policies for and coordinating the implementation
of all information measures designed to influence attitudes
in foreign countries in a direction favorable to the attain-
ment of US objectives and to counteract effects of anti-US
propaganda. It is assumed that these functions will be
exercised by the Assistant Secretary of State for Public
Affairs, hereinafter referred to as the Assistant Secre-
tary. The Assistant Secretary should consult with an in-
formal group composed of representatives of other appropri-
ate departments and agencies.
b. Appropriate departments and agencies should be
directed to insure the most effective coordination and
utilization of their appropriate facilities for the imple-
mentation of approved foreign information policies.
c. The Assistant Secretary should be assisted by a
staff including qualified full-time personnel detailed
from each appropriate department or agency. This staff
should assist the Assistant Secretary in implementing the
policies and plans established by the Secretary of State
by:
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(1) Obtaining the most effective utilization
and coordination of all federal foreign information
facilities;
(2) Initiating and developing for the approval
of the Assistant Secretary specific plans and pro-
grams designed to influence foreign opinion in a
direction favorable to US interests and to counteract
effects of Anti-US propaganda.
9. As a matter of priority, the Assistant Secretary
:-ould coordinate the determination of the requirement for
Funds necessary to insure performance of the functions assign-
ed in paragraph 8 above.
10. The Assistant Secretary should be furnished by th
`ntral Intelligence Agency with appropriate coordinated foreign
intelligence.
11. The Assistant Secretary should be furnished by the
appropriate departments with classified information necessary
.'or the fulfillment of his responsibilities.
12. In carrying out the functions assigned in paragraph
o above, the Assistant Secretary should maintain the closest
possible liaison with the State-Army-Navy-Air Force Coordinating
.mmittee.
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APPENDIX
EXISTING FACILITIES IN THE FIELD OF FOREIGN INFORMATION IN THE
DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, THE ARMY, THE NAVY, AND THE AIR FORCE
1. Department of State:
a.
Under the Assistant Secretary of State for Public
Affairs, the Office of International Information and ]Educa-
tional Exchange coordinates and operates short wave broad-
casting, a daily wireless bulletin, documentary films, in-
formation libraries and exchange programs in foreign coun-
tries.
b. Public Affairs Officers and Information Officers
in US Missions and-Consulates.
2. Department of the Army:
a. The Chief of Information under the Deputy Chief
of Staff coordinates and operates a Public Information Di-
vision and a Troop Information and Education Division. The
Armed Services' Radio Service, under the latter, is carried
on by the Army for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
b. Civil Affairs Division. Under this Division the
Reorientation'Branch prepares plans, pc=icies and directives
to bring about the reorientation and reeducation of peoples
of Occupied Areas. In many ways these activities of the
Army parallel in Occupied Areas the activities of the State
Department's Cffice of International Information and Educa-
tional Exchange. The Reorientation Branch maintains a
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APPENDIX
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ZC~-ITY I:FOfl iATIG;I
Field Office in New York City.
3-
Department of the Navy:
The'Division of Public Information, under the
executive office of the Secretary of the Navy, has under
it the Office of Public Relations.
b. (See 2-a above.)
Department of the Air Force:
a. Troop Information and Education Division under
the Deputy Chief of Air Staff for Personnel and Adminis-
tration.
b. (See 2-a above.)
APPENDIX
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