NIS COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 63

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05597A000400020039-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 26, 1998
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: April 4, 1950
• Content Type: MIN

Approved For RN:, 199 000400020039-9
NIS COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 63
4 Aril 1950
1. The following were present:
DOCUMENT NO
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS $ C
NEXT MAIM GATL:
AUTII4 tkit 70-2
DAT 6 ti NOV 1980f mufti_ ,31i3645
25X1A9a
Dr. Appleton
Mr. Lydmen
Mr. Fletcher
Lt. Col. Kiel
Capt. Maher
Lt. Cdr. Nutt
Lt. Col. leade
State
State
State
Aeley
Navy
Navy
Air Force
CIA (Acting Chairman)
2. The Acting Chairmen stated that, since revisions of Standard Instruc-
eions are taking longer to finish than was 'expected and since the revidione
will not he published until all are complete, CIA 'sill underteke to reproduce
limited numbers of finally approved elements for interim uee by producers.
The following requirements ware announced for copies of elements already
finally approved:
Editorial
Agency
Ch. IV
Ch. V
Ch. VIII
Ch. IX
Instructions
State
60
60
10
10
30
Army
10
10
' 25
10
25
Navy
10
10
To be reported
10
20
Air Force
10
10
11 91 11
10
15
The Acting Chairman also pointed out that, although requests have been received
from the working level for copies of the revised Standard Instructions for
Chapter II, CIA will not reproduce these instructions until expreesions of
final agency approval have been received. He requested, therefore, that such
er:preeeiona be forthcoming with the minimum practicable delay.
3. A brief statement was made regarding the situation in 10,44IS as eogarde
the processing of NIS contributions. The Tables of Organization of D/415 were
orawn up on the theory that approximately seventy-five (75) sections per month
would be processed, that this rate would be fairly well maintained, and that
t?e) quality of the material would be such as to require only normal editorial
processing. In practice, however, the highest monthly average so far atinna
in processing contributions through D/NIS has been twenty-eieht (28) per elonth.
elc) reanon foe this slowdown is the extremely greet coneumptien of DAUS Fran-
heurs in doing the following:
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-05597A000400020039-9
t
< Approved For Rate 19960114041414410raillialUilikek000400020039-9
a. - Detecting and correcting numerous substantive errors and
inconsistencies.
b. Numercus personal conferences between editors and authors
regarding these errors and inconsistencies and regarding writing
style and content considered inappropriate for NIS. The latter
category of tine consumption has been emphasized with regard to
sociological, political, and economic contributions no being
received from State. The underlying reason for this i3 probably
that it in more difficult to maintain objectivity and perspective
in presentation of basic intelligence on these types of subjects
than it is in presentation of basic intelligence on such a subject
as military geography.
c. Numerous deficiencies in graphic meterial which require
correction and, in some instances, redrafting of portions of the
material.
CIA is not reeponeible for the production of most of the NIS but is responsible
for the editing thereof and, hence, for doing everything in its power to see
that published NIS are of the beat practicable quality. }beaver, if the
receipt of contributions reaches a sustained rata of forty (40 per month, as
implied by a yearly production rate of eight (8) NIS, CIA (D/NIS) will be
completely bogged down. unleee one of two events occur:
a. The quality of contributiens is stepped up sharply and
maintained.
b. 1)/NIS, after examination and indication of typical
deficiencies, returns large numbers of contributions to producing
agencies for compl to overhaul and revision.
Obviously, the second alternative is most undesirable from leveral points of
view. Hence, it is imperative that producing agencies take immediate stops
to attain the first alternative. It appears that the most clearly indicated
of these steps would be a thorough overhauling of the system of agency sub-
etantive rovicm.
4. The following changes, proposed by Army, in NIO Area groupings for
Qhapter 11 (Military Geography) were approved:
a. Czechouloveda (NIS 18) to be treated individually because
of the 2ohape, position and complexity of the area.
b. Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Albania (NIS 19, 21, and 22) to
be combined as a middle Danube area.
m TIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-05597A000400020039-9
?
Approved For Ree 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-0542/p00400020039-9
? 3.L
c, Romania and Bulgari e (NIS 20 and .23) to be combined ec
a lover Danube area.
5. 'The question vas raised whether or not the title of HIS 31 should
be continued as "Palestine". The fellaeing facts bearing on the issue Tiere
pointed out;
a. Substitution of the title "Israel" yould not be satis-
factory because the presently designated NIS Area of Palestine
comprises three political entities;
(1) The independent, diplomatically recognised
state of Israel.
(2) A sub-area claimed by Jordan but not as yet
officially reecenized at belonging to Jordan.
(3) A subarea claimed by Egypt but net as yet
officially recognized as belonging to Egypt.
b. 4 number of HIS elements have already been published under
the title of "Palestine". To divide the area into two or more NIS
Areas at this time would therefore be aukward and confusing.
It was tentatively decided that the title "Palestine" would remain unchanged
and that the presentation of the material in the various cheptere would take
into account the areal subdivision. The State member undertook to ascertain
ethather there is any reason unknown to the HIS Committee why this decisien
ehoUld not be permanent.
6. Tha Acting Chairman undertook to ascertain whether the official name
of the forma: Irieh Free State is still "Eire" or has changed to "The Republic
of Ireland".
7. Rtnneers mere requepted to examine the propoetta outline guides fer
,iubsection 62C (Petroleum) and Supplement V (Petroleum) as pnased by the IS
Petroleum -Subcommittee and be prepared to act upon the approval thereof nt
the next meeting. In this connection, it was pointed out that the MVO he
been Recorded permission to undertake production of a Subsection, 620 an:1
pplement V on Colombia but has been instructed not to undertake actual pro-
amtion,thereof until it has received the appropriate outline guides no
finally approved by the HIS Committee.
? E. Copies of a propogal for an NIS Operating Mopr;rand= regarding roVi-
eions of NIS mere distributed to the membere. This propoeal will be diecuseed
at the next Meeting.
-3 -
U
Approved For Release 1999/09/010f :xCtAt4R1511'18:b8a7A000400020039-9
,?, Approved ForRepe 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-WA000400020039-9
9. Proposed revisisne of the n 1950 NIS Production Schedule for Uilap-
tars III (Transportation and Telecomunications)., IV (Sociological)
V (Political), VI (Econmic)s?Supplement I (Ports and Naval Facilities), and
FAapplement III (Teleconicatiohs)s vere received. A proposed revision of
the schedule for Chapter II (Military aeography) is to be forwarded to 0/NIS
by the chapter coordinator (i',rmy) shortly. Revised schedules for Chapters VIII
(Armed Forces) and IX (Yap and Chart Appraisal) have already been apprcvsd.
Chapter I (Brief) will not bo scheduled. D/NIS will attempt to gat from OSI
a revised schedule for kl 1950 for Chapter VII (Scientific) and will present
to the committee at the next meatinc a draft of an over-all revised production
schedule for FY 1950.
10. Tho next eting vas scheduled for 1000 hours Twadays. 11 April 1950,-
at CIA.
pistributial;
NI ti Committee (4)
Hr. tarmarA. (JIG)
ADPRE
Chief i/o
DAUS
, /N lB
Pc, DA 1.6
"BIN IS File
25X1A9a
4-
f
( itw lS 7 r! t V
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-05597A000400020039-9