Discussion with(Sanitized) and Mr. Amory regarding Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) Handbooks

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05597A000200040016-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 8, 2009
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: December 15, 1955
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2009/07/08: CIA-RDP78-05597A000200040016-4
15 December 1955
MEMORANDUM FOR: Captain K. A. Knowles
SUBJECT:
Discussion with) and Mr. Amory
regarding Human Relations Area Files (HRAF)
Handbooks
1. On 14 December phoned and inquired about our comments
on the HRAF Handbooks. and at his request I hand-carried the OBI comments
to him on 15 December 1955.
2. In the telephone conversation informed me that when he 25X1
reported to Mr. Bissell that the consensus of the panel subcommittee on these
handbooks was that they were completely unacceptable. Mr. Bissell suggested
that CIA should get in on the act immediately by submitting our comments.
on the other hand, felt that CIA should withhold any comment on the 25X1
HRAF handbooks until after the formal report was made by the panel sub-
committee.
3. This is in line with your views an the matter which we discussed
just prior to your goia on leave. However, in view of Mr. Bissell's
feeling on the matter felt that we should discuss it with Mr. Armory 25X1
and asked that I sit in on a meeting which he was arranging with Mr. Amory
for the morning of 15 December.
4. We met with Mr. Amory and his first reaction was that we should
immediately submit our comments to be on record as to our opinion of the
HRAF studies. Both~and I presented our feelings on the matter. and 25X1
after points Gaut that he would have an opportunity to see the 25X1
draft of the subcommittee report prior to its submission to the panel,
Mr. Amory agreed that it would be better to wait until that time before we
take any further action. The subcommittee report is due to be presented
to the panel on 23 January. andF--]expects to see the draft some time 25X1
around 15 January.
5. From the discussion withI got the impression that the sub- 25X1
committee report will blast the HRAF Handbooks to a point where CIA com-
ment need go little beyond concurrence in the subcommittee report. However.
he said that he would work on a paper which could be submitted to the panel
if it is decided that CIA should comment on the handbooks at greater length.
Master filed "Human Relations Area Files" copies in "USIA and "Psychological
R. H. BOBERG
Warf are"
Approved For Release 2009/07/08: CIA-RDP78-05597A000200040016-4