URGENT REQUIREMENT FOR TALENT COVERAGE OF INDICATIONS TARGET IN COMMUNIST CHINA.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61S00750A000500040056-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 2013
• Sequence Number: 56
• Publication Date: October 20, 1958
• Content Type: MF

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/28: CIA-RDP61500750A000500040056-0
1 VI IJI?ws es? e
HANDLE VIA TALENT
TCS-G42-53
CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 20 October 1953
i',INOAANDUM FOR: Chairman, Ac'. ;10c Requirements Committee
? ? Urgent Acquirement for TALENT Coverage
of Indications Targets in Communist
China.
This officebelieves that there is an urgent re-
quirement for photographic coverage of targets in
Communist China for indications of Chicon intentions
to undertae further military action in the Taiwan
straits area.
resumption of the shelling of ,Nemoy demonstrates
the continued warlike posture of the Chinese Communists
and their readiness to use military means in pursuit of
their objectives. These objectives include the establish-
ment, in the near future, of Chicom hegemony over the
Offshore Islands. One cannot overlook the possibility
that military force might be used against one or more
of these islands. The temptation to attempt such a
gambit might be heightened by the hope of achieving
a rapid seisure, presenting the world with a fait
accompli, and implying the military weakness of the
United States to prevent it. The Chicoms?could be ex-
pected to blame the U.S. for frustrating the evolution
of peace in the Far East by having failed to compel
the withdrawal of Chiang's forces.
The islands in the Matsu Group could well ':)e the
target of such a coup.
Specifically required at this time are:
(a) indications of the build-up of Chicon
amphibious capabilities in the Foochow - Santu
.:,ay area,
( evidence of the build-up of naval forces
in the coastal areas from Foochow to Shanghai,
(c) information on the deployment of air
strength - particularly jet light bombers - in
the Hangchow - Shanghai - Nanking - Nauchanp.
areas,
HANDLE \f :A TALENT
CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY
or3c-r
ni I
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/28: CIA-RDP61500750A000500040056-0
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/28: CIA-RDP61500750A000500040056-0
toe' HNODLE ViA TALENT
ONTROL SYSTEM ONLY
(,) comparative data on build-up of ground
force strength in the Fulden Military District.
The banning of all aerial reconnaissance activity
in the China area has severely limited our intelligence
appreciation of current Chicom capa'Jilities and inten-
tions. Our very susceptibility to surprise places the
U.S. at a disadvantage in the contest- for support in
the court of world opinion. Eloreover, the responsibility
of the intelligence comunity with respect to warnings
of the imminence of hostilities - the "Watch" function -
compel us to press this requirement with all proper
forcefulness.
50X1
.:UNTINGTION D. MELDON
Assistant Director,
Current Intelligence
HANDLE VIA TALENT
CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY
TOP SECRFT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/28: CIA-RDP61500750A000500040056-0