RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROBLEMS MONTHLY REPORTS FOR SEPTEMBER 1958

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61-00391R000200310012-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 8, 1998
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: September 1, 1958
• Content Type: REPORT

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Recommendations and Problems
Monthl Reports fjor September 1958
CARTOGRAPHY DIVISION
Further concentrated effort in line with Area policy was made to
reduce overtime work.
FAR EAST COMPILATION BRANCH
One compiler has been detached for indefinite duty in another
office. This will affect our capability to produce maps and will
leave an important geographical area - India, Pakistan, Afghanistan
- uncovered.
USSR - SATELLITES BRANCH
After a calf year's respite from requests for carto-mathematical
support, in September two requests for such support were received and
completed, one each from OS1 and the NTPC. This suggests that this
kind of support will continue to be asked of the Division and that we
continue to allow for this, particularly in regard to training a compiler
to replace - who has in the past borne responsibility for this
type of support.
25X1A9a
GEOGRAPHY DIVISION
The Geography Division feels that the interests of the Geographic ARea
could be served to better advantage by a modification of the new order regarding
Preparation of Mapping Intelligence Requirements, dated 22 September. It now
appears that the same objectives could be more readily attained by allowing
each division to issue its own mapping intelligence requirements and requiring
mutual coordination by the issuing division with the other two divisions prior
to issuance. It is impolitic to subject personnel of one division in an area
of mutual interest to the "pocket veto" prerogatives of another. Moreover, it
seems to countermand the stated functions of St/I in the coordination of require-
ments for all divisions of ORR.
25X1A9a
In response to a Department of State inquiry to the AD/RR regarding the
statements on the Ecuador-Peru boundary in our report on International Boundaries
in Latin America, the entire boundary dispute was reviewed by On the
basis of the f ndings, a defense was made in person to the Peru and Ecuador Desk
Officers of State, and an interesting and not immediately reconcilable discrepancy
in points of view was discovered. The problem centers on whether USAF aerial
photography taken between 1943 and 1946, with resultant map, is reliable. Agency
files indicate that the mission was successfully completed with photography adequate
to determine major land forms, while State has been acting on the assumption the
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GEOGRAPHY DIVISION (Cont'd)
photography was not adequate for that purpose. They are investigating the
foundation for such an assumption, after which a meeting will be held to discuss
the situation further.
EAST-AFRICA BRANCH
Domestic Procurement "coordinated" a procurement request by
borrowing a GG/N memo on procurement of Af an-USSR boundary maps
as a basis for a new re uir ent. has been briefed by
25X1A9a 25X1A6a
An Air Attache returning from Cairo reported he had received a Navy
E and E on the Eastern Mediterranean early in the summer - prior to the
burning spree in July. A search of Agency holdings failed to uncover
any such study. At the present time this material is apparently received
on a hit and miss basis. It is suggested that a channel for receiving
E and E publications of other government agencies would benefit D/GG.
ZDA i Hya MIR/S/'L'F, recently assigned to
was
briefed in the Branch. Her interests, both past and present are with
Soviet penetration of the Middle East and Africa. an Agency
employee of seven years standing, expressed surprise at the interests and
capabilities of D/GG. Economic Area personnel, particularly those engaged
in research on the Middle East and Africa, are apparently not familiar with
D/GG work and the increasing overlap in intelligence interests. Closer
working level cooperation could be beneficial to both the G Area and the
E Area.
The Branch has seldom found the machine system currently in use in
OCR a satisfactory method for recovery of documents. GG/N is currently
working closely with OCR personnel in regard to this problem. Examples
of requests that were not satisfied have been supplied to OCR along with
documents from Branch files that should have appeared on the card runs.
OCR personnel were surprised at the material present in the file that did
not appear and expressed their appreciation for the cooperation received
from D/GG in presenting specific examples of failure of the machine system.
It is hoped that in some small way the results of future machine runs may
be improved.
Graphics Register showed once again this month that their motion
picture collection is, at best, inadequate. They were requested to prepare
a list of films on Lebanon from which we could select those possibly
having information of value to the Branch. Their list contained 12 films
only 2 of which were of even slight interest; many of the remainder were
clips of newsreels. The rather shocking part of the story is that they
apparently had no idea of sources of additional films.
During a recent briefing, a State Department officer returning to his
post in Africa made a suggestions that has relevance to our preparation of
information requests in many parts of the world, namely that all such
requests be given the lowest possible security classification or sent
unclassified if possible, so that native typists can be used in preparing
answers to the requests. If the mat
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25X1A9a 25X1X7
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GEOGRAPHY DIVISION (Cont'd)
FAR EAST/PACIFIC BRANCH
25X1A8a
In conversations with personnel of it developed that
they have never seen any of our UW feasibility studies. Yet these same
people are periodically asked by CINCPAC to revise the UW annex to the
Theater War Plan and are expected to indicate what personnel assets
they have in specific areas. It would seem logical that the studies should
be correlated. This is another indication, it is felt, that the so-called
"coordinated" approach to t7W planning is in need of closer coordination.
Perhaps we're not in a position to see the "big picttar.e1, but from our
level, the situation seems to be a confused one.
The provision of two full pages for maps plus the necessarily
lengthy text of Gm-10 will require a modification of the present GM
format if the article on the Off shore Islands is to be published in
something like its present form. It is recommended that a degree of
flexibility be permitted, somewhat in accordance with the dummy format
proposed to Chief, D/GG, and that limitation of space not be made an
over-riding consideration in determining whether or not a given article
is appropriate for issuance as a GM.
The Major professional problem facing the editors concerns the
proposed GM on Population Movements in EastGermany. In its present
form, it seems more like an exercise in metho ology than a subject for
an MR. There is no question, however, as to the value of the technique
used and its application to population problems.
Twice during the month the Editor In Chief was requested to comment
on suggestions for the revision of methods for documenting research,
which seems to indicate that the currently approved methods are not
entirely satisfactory. At best, documentation is a meticulous and time-
consuming job for analysts, editors, and typists. Any suggestion for
simplifying the work deserves Serious consideration. D/GG editors have
been experimenting in this field for some years, with the full cooperation
of the authors, and will continue to do so.
It is recommended that the Division set forth its functions and
responsibilities in regard to mapping intelligence along the lines of the
draft memorandum prepared by this Branch for consideration.
75X1A9a
As evidenced by the request of the Economic Area is
becoming aware of the need for presenting data for areas lower than the
country as a whole. A logical next step for them would be regional
studies within a country. It is suggested that we become more active in
the field of self-initiated regional studies. Otherwise we will forfeit
an important area of research.
Sa z p A p p S
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off
None Reported.