MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL GROUP MEETING, 9 APRIL 1964

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP67B00558R000100060032-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 2007
• Sequence Number: 32
• Publication Date: April 9, 1964
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2007/09/24: CIA-RDP67B00558R000100060032-9
9 April 1964
State Dept. review completed
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Special Group Meeting, 9 April 1964
PRESENT: Mr. Bundy, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Vance, and Mr. McCone.
Also present was Lieutenant General Alva R. Fitch.
1econnaissance Effort against Cambodia.
1. In a discussion of the reconnaissance effort against
Cambodia the following points were made: Mr. McCone noted that,
in regard to Cambodian radar, there was evidence that, whereas
2. . Mr.. Johnson registered the State Department view that
any reconciliation between General Khanh and Prince Sihanouk was
of considerable importance and any event which would impede such
a trend was undesirable.
3. General Fitch then briefed the members on the existing
intelligence collection problem. He indicated the types of infor-
mation needed, i.e., sources of supply, improvement of routes,
scale of infiltration, build-up indicators, etc. He emphasized
that agent reports were of questionable validity, a watcher system
was still in an embryonic stage, and P/W interrogations could not
normally produce timely data. Only through overhead reconnaissance
then, could many of these requirements be satisfied. As an example,
he suggested that the Viet Cong were covertly moving in materiel
and personnel by water to Cambodia, then overland up the Mekong
Delta through Cambodia and along Route 13. Proof could be obtained
only from the air.
4. Messrs. Bundy, Vance and Johnson raised the question as
to the usefulness of the "take." It was clear that evidence is still
insufficient. Mr. McCone indicated that his latest reports raised
considerable doubt as to the success of the missions thus far.
Mr. Vance was of the opinion that until all the reports are in and
analyzed, a fair estimate of the value of the missions cannot be
determined. General Fitch also believed that.further coverage was
necessary for proper evaluation.
BYE 26514/64 (Series B)
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Approved For Release 2007/09/24: CIA-RDP67B00558R000100060032-9
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5. Mr. Johnson urged that the 11 priority objectives
(as yet uncovered) within the 30-mile limit be completed before
the Cambodian radar capability improves. The members agreed to
tiri.s suggestion.
(. Mr. McCone then suggested, as a solution to coverage
of the seven COMDR priority objectives outside the present
30-mil.e limit, that the U-2
undertake ful coverage on a sing e
mission at the time teat the aircraft departs
The other members agree to this
7. The Special Group will make further determinations on
Cambodian reconnaissance when the results of completed missions
have been analyzed.
Peter Jessup
Distribution
Mr. Johnson
Mr. Vance
Mr. McCone
13YE 26514/64 (Series B)
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