UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOREIGN INFORMATION POLICY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP57-00384R000100100012-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 1, 2001
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: September 2, 1952
• Content Type: MF

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SECURITY INFORMATION
OGC HAS REVIEWED.
I ORANDUM FOR: OFFICE OF CANERAL COUNSEL, CIA
25X1A
2 September 1952
SUBJECT: United States Goverment Foreign Information
Policy
1. You will recall that on 20 August I sought your advice as
to whether CIA should approve a document entitled "United States
Government Foreign Information Policy" which was presented for inter-
agency approval by the State Department at the le August meeting of
the Psychological Operations Coordinating Committee. Paragraph 4 of
this document Isee attachment) states that "these 5ropagandal guidances
are binding nr on all foreign information activities of the departments
and agencies of the United States Government." As I explained to you
previously, PY Division feels that the use of the word "binding" could
at some later date be misinterpreted so that CIA might be restricted
in its operations. For your information, it is not the practice of
covert media to follow State Department propaganda guidances word for
word; instead, it is CIA's practice to review the daily guidances and
develop appropriate themes which covert-controlled media can exploit
in support of the overt effort.
2. Following our discussions, your office recommended that PY
Division suggest to the POCC that the last sentence of paragraph 4
of the guidance statement be deleted and the following revision be
inserted:
"Under nationally approved policy, these guidances
are binding on all foreign information activities of the
Department of State.. Department of Defense, and the Mutual
Security Agency."
3. On 25 August, the. above revision in wording was recommended
to the Chairman of the POCC. but the State Department did not wish
to accept the change. It is the Departmentts belief that the original
wording is satisfactory, and that it would in no way restrict CIA
operations. In fact? the Department suggested that Paragraph 4 remain
as originally written and that the following sentence be added:
"The choice of
SECRET
Approved For Release 2001 F1g1Pi1 MA LJ u~~4R000100100012-9
 Approved Forlw~lease 2001/08/ EO ;TDP57-0038400100100012-9
SECURITY INFORMATION
"The choice of operational techniques and specific
material to be employed in achieving the defined objectives
and carrying out prescribed tasks will be the responsibility
of those agencies charged with foreign information activities."
CIA replied that the addition of this sentence did not soften the
effect of the word "binding" and that we did not feel we could accept
it. It was, therefore, agreed that the Chairman of the POCC, Dr,
Wilson Compton, would refer the matter through channels to the Director
of Central Intelligence for comment.
4. The foregoing information is supplied to you for use in the
event that DCI's office refers the matter to the General Counsel for
study. Should your office desire further assistance from PY Division,
it is suggested that you contact the writer on Ext. 3155.
Attachment: "U. S. Government Foreign Information Policy'"
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CRET
Approved For Releasltvll$'/1~;JFQMfft%%7-00384R000100100012-9