NIS Maintenance

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05597A000300010070-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 70
• Publication Date: August 28, 1958
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-05597A000300010070-6
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. D. J. Clinton, NIS Coordinator
Department of State
1. In reply to your query. I am setting forth the general views
of the office of Basic Intelligence respecting the NIS maintenance
program. The problem is complex but our staff studies of this subject
indicate that, upon completion of initial world coverage, it will require
at least the present level of effort to keep the published HIS adequately
uiaintaiaed0
2. From a quantitative view point, complete NIS world coverage
will exceed 5000 sections. At our present annual rate of production,
namely 500 sections, it would require at least 10 years to maintain all
of those. This would be inadequate for many topics, particularly those
on sociological, political. economic, and military matters.
3. From a qualitative viewpoint, our experience indicates that
revisions of initial sections, to bring them up to NIS standards and to
incorporate new intelligence requirements, involve as much time and
effort as did the original sections. The large turnover of personnel and
replacement with less experienced intelligence analysts, as in the case
of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, have tended to reduce
production efficiency. We feel that future maintenance could well be
performed somewhat more rapidly than original production, providing
roquir.ments stabilize and analysts are more carefully selected and
briefed before beginning maintenance work.
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-05597A000300010070-6
 Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-05597A000300010070-6
4. The net effect of the quantitative and qualitative aspects
of maintenance is to indicate that annual NIS production should be
increased by approximately 25% to provide an adequate maintenance
program. More efficient procedures, proper briefing of personnel
before they begin maintenance production, and consistent staffing
programs from year to year among the producing agencies, should
permit the present level of manpower to do that job. I cannot foresee
any areas in which a reduction of personnel could be made without
adversely affecting the adequacy of the NW.
25X1A9a
Assistant Director
Basic Intelligence
Distribution:
Orig & 1 - Addressee
1 ~-~~/ / 7 C C ri-e lc
25X1A9a
AD/BI: :am
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-05597A000300010070-6