NOTES FROM MCNAMARA/LEMNITZER APPEARANCES BEFORE DEFENSE SUBCOMMITTEE OF HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE 1 FEBRUARY 1962

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP64B00346R000300240010-6
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RIFPUB
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S
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3
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December 15, 2016
Document Release Date: 
January 9, 2004
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10
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Publication Date: 
February 1, 1962
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NOTES
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Approved For Release 2004/02/03 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000300240010-6 Notes from cNamaaara/Leemnttser Appearances before Defense Subcommittee of House Appropriations Committee 1 February 1962 press for a second generation. Again Mr. Ford asked why. Lemnitzer went off the record but it is understood that he referred to the production Congressman Gerald R. Ford, Jr. (R., Michigan) was reviewin, last year's estimates and this year'* estimates with General Lemnitzer on the subject of Soviet ICBMs on launcher. He inquired as to why the tremendous drop frorarat last year to this year. General .Lemnitaaear indicated that the low level of the Soviet ICBMs resulted chiefly from the Soviet decision not to deploy the first generation missile but to Ford stated in connection with the big bomber fiasco of a few years ago and the current ICBM fiaasco, "I must admit that my attitude toward the reliability of our intelligence is changing considerably. L,emnitsor pointed out that this was a tough intelligence problem which was receiving the highest priority indicating considerable research and development and new techniques. Mr. McNamara commented that there were really two categories of intelligence. (1) present operational capability and (2) projections. He pointed out that difficult at it was we were able to do considerably better in the first category but as to the second category this inevitably was affected by Soviet technical problems. deployment problems and shifts of planning and, consequently, it was just not as as accurate as the first category. Ford stated that the change of the estimate in the lZ-month period cannot help but cast doubt on the reliability of intelligence. He stated we should go in and find out on what basis we have come up with a harder f figures; lacking such understanding one could conclude that the our capabilities to collect information have increased. Mr. Mahon interjected at this point that it was to be hoped that any political factors in connection with intelligence estimates would not be brought into the picture and he hoped to be convinced on this matter. He then added that what Mr. Ford was really trying to say in nice language was whether or not the estimates could' be rigged. aangea was made for other reasons. Mr. McNarnaraa reiterated that Approved For Release 2004/02/03 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000300240010-6 Approved For Release 2004/02/03 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000300240010-6 SECRET Mr. Minshall indicated that he conceded that possibly some of the new techniques were very sensitive although one could possibly guess at them. However, he believed that some members of the Subcommittee should be briefed on these new techniques specifically ring Ford and Taber. Mahon indicated that he had been briefed to some extent. Ford commented by stating that he wa asking his questions as if he were unaware of these matters. Mr. Ford then questioned General Lemnitzer on the point of whether or not if the U-2 had continued its work the estimates would not be better. General Lemnitzer conceded that this would help. Off the record, in response to Ford's question, lemnitaer stated that the U-2 was stood down on missions over Russia. Ford added "ft was a mistake to stop them. 11 Approved For Release 2004/02/03 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000300240010-6 Approved For Release 2004/02/03 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000300240010-6 10 February 1962 - The Director read. JSW/s !MEMORANDUM FOR: THE DIRECTOR Attached is an excerpt from the McNamara/ Lemnitzer appearance before the Mahon Sub- committee on i February. In this Representative Ford pushes very hard on the question of why the Soviet ICBM estimates have been so drastically reduced. Strongly recommend that the DCI take ten to fifteen minutes before presenting the budget on Saturday to Mr. Cannon's Subcommittee to discuss this in detail. S~ NJI a h n & g0. AKM Legislative Counsel 8 February 196 2 (DATE) FORM US10-101 MAY FORM AUGN 54 IUi WHICH REPLACES ED. Approved For Release 2004/02/03 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000300240010-6