NIS COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 21

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05597A000400020082-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 26, 1998
• Sequence Number: 82
• Publication Date: February 2, 1949
• Content Type: MIN

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2 February 1949
1. Members present were as follows:
Dr. Dunn State
Lt. Col. Ruwet Army
Lt. Col. DeHority Navy
Lt. Col. Gould Air Force
Ma=. Gambier Air Force
25X1A9a CIA (Chairman)
iCIA
2. Copies of G/Ba monthly production report were distributed to
the members.
3. The matter of TOP SECRET classification for NIS material was
discussed. It was pointed out that this classification tends to vitiate
one of the fundamental purposes of NIS; viz., to place basic intelligence
in the hands of as many valid users as possible. Specifically, the
proposed classification of TOP SECRET for Section 83 (Air Force Section,
Chapter VIII - Armed Forces) was again brought up (see Minutes of MIS
Committee Meeting No. 12). The Air Force member stated that the matter
had been reconsidered by the Department of the Air Force and the decision
retained that certain important parts of this section must be classified
TOP SECRET. The Air Force member also stated that to remove the TOP
SECRET material and publish the section as SECRET would render the
published material not only of little value but, in fact, misleading.
The Army member said that there would be certain portions of Army
contributions which would also require TOP SECRET classification, The
consensus was that NIS Committee members should assume the responsibility
of seeing that classifications are constantly reexamined with a view to
lowering the higher classifications. Since TOP SECRET material must be
published in the form of separate supplements, members are to bring with
them to the next meeting (1000 hours, 15 February 1949) their Agency
requirements for these supplements.
4. The use of provisional base maps was reviewed. It was explained
that, at present, because of the peak load of work generated in Map Branch,
CIA, by the implementation of the NIS Program, the base map schedule has,
in some instances, lagged behind Agency production needs. After June 1949,
the base map schedule will be abreast of, or in advance of, Agency needs;
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and, by FY 1950, base maps should be available in plenty of time to satisfy
Agency production needs. In the meantime, Agencies may apply directly to
Map Branch for provisional base maps. These will be existing maps which
meet as nearly as practicable the specifications of the final base map.
They will be supplied to Agencies along with base map compilation data.
The Agencies may then place intelligence data directly on these maps, make
needed photographs of them, and send the requisite number of copies, along
with other material, to G/Ba, when the final base maps are available, the
contributing Agency will transfer data to them and forward to G/Ba.
The question was raised about what would happen if all the other
material were ready for publication before the base map was received.
The Chairman answered that, because of the current state of progress in
base map production, he did not anticipate that such a situation would
arise; but that, if it did, publication of the other material would
proceed whenever feasible.
5. It was pointed out that NIS contributions recently received
indicate that sub-contributors, while adequately qualified in their topical
fields, have insufficient knowledge of the areas with which their studies
are concerned; that this lack of knowledge has given rise to deficiencies
which could have been avoided had the sub-contributor had area as well as
technical knowledge; and that it appears wise to have area specialists in
the Agencies give substantive review to material prepared by sub-contributors.
In any event, coordinating staffs are responsible to see that contributions
have adequate substantive review in the Agencies before being sent to G/Ba.
6. In discussing the general progress of NIS production, the Chairman
stated that FY 1949 is the period of growing pains for the NIS Program
and that it is more important to realign capabilities, perfect procedures,
and turn out high quality material than to meet to the letter the
requirement of producing the equivalent of six (6) complete NIS; that
FY 1950 should see all the Agencies prepared to meet full requirements
both quantitatively and qualitatively; and that it may be well to restudy
capabilities and revise the Production Schedule for FY 1949 so as to bring
it realistically within those capabilities. All IAC Agency members insisted
that their Agencies are exerting every possible effort to meet commitments.
It was the consensus of these members that it is yet too early to make such
a restudy of_capabilities with a view to revising the FY 1949 Schedule and
that all Agencies should continue to endeavor to meet all commitments both
qualitatively and quantitatively.
7H It was announced that NIS S45 is to deal with Okinawa Island
only, and not with the Okinawa Group. This reflects Joint Staff interpreta-
tion of "Okinawa" appearing in their Priority List.
8. A question was raised by the Air Force member relative to Navy
contributions to Section 23C (EFFECTS OF WEATHER AND CLIM,1ATE ON MILITARY
ACTIVITIES). It was decided that this question should be taken up between
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Navy and Air Force on the working level.
9. Color proofing for maps was 'discussed. This has been designated
as the responsibility of the Agencies where they have capabilities to
accomplish it. It has been found, however, that the mapping and charting
elements of Army, Navy, and Air Force (Army Map Service, Hydrographic
Office, and Aeronautical Chart Service) produce the great bulk of their
output by the press proof method and have very limited capabilities for
color proofing. Hence, in order to reduce bottlenecks and save the Armed
Forces Agencies the expense of purchasing additional equipment and hiring
additional personnel, G/Ba tentatively agreed to make available the GPO
facilities for color proofing requirements of those Agencies which did
not have existing facilities for this work.
25X1A9a
Distribution:
Dr. Dunn
Lt.Col. Ruwet
Lt,Col. DeHority
Lt.Col. Gould
25X1 A9aAD/ORS;
25X1A9a
25X1A9a
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