LETTER TO HONORABLE CLARK M. CLIFFORD FROM RICHARD HELMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000500010111-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 21, 2002
• Sequence Number: 111
• Publication Date: October 10, 1966
• Content Type: LETTER

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The Honorable Clark M. Clifford, Chairmen
President's rornign Intelligence Advisory Board
Executive Office Building
Washington, D. C.
Dear Clark:
I have given a good deal of thought to the a made
by General Taylor at the Eoard meeting an SepteMber 29th to the ef-
fect that Steps might be taken to designate the i)irector of Central
Intelligence as Executive Chairman of the USIB?
I understand that such a designation has been helpful in the
case of the Under Secretary of State in his role as presiding of-
ficer of the Senior Interdepartmental Group. The 1SIB, however,
already has an established method of operation which I believe is
working reasonably well. This procedure has its basis in the pro-
visions of NSCID 1 and has been developed by usage over the years,
While I as grateful for the expression of the Board's support which
is inherent in General Taylor's suggestion, T believe that such a
change would actually not confer arer additional effective authority
on me in ny capacity as "ISIB Chairman. On the other hand, raising
the issue at this time could conceivably have an adverse effect on
the cooperation and collaboration generally evident in the USD,
and might be interpreted as an indication of a feeling that the
Director of Central Intelligenee is in a weak position.
The Executive Chairman concept, as expressed in NUM 341,
gives such an official full powers of decision on all matters within
the purview of his group, with the caveat that a menber who does not
concur may request referral of the decision to the next higher
authority.
Under NSCID 1 the 1STB reaches its decisions by agreement.
The Chairman determines that a given position represents a consensus
of the Board and this position is considered agreed unless a dis-
senting meeber expressly requests that the issue be referred to the
NSC. Such an appeal has Almost never been requested. On occasion,
f!
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when a
and res
higher auth
h a position
to remove the issue
channels, in-
ThUH, since re is necessarily a right of appeal to higher
authority in either case, it peens doubtful to as that an xecu-
tire
Chairmanship would in fact give the DCI substantial' greater
ability to overrule any serious differences in TrIB than he now
has
In accordance with the agrent reached at the September 29th
Hoard meetings T. am enclosing & suggested draft of a letter which
the President might address to me. I have put this in the form of
a rather infernal communication which serves specifically to re
affirm the provisions of the President's earlier memorandum to
Admiral Ribero on the subject of the DCI 's responsibilities and
also to identify the preblem posed by the rising costs of intel-
ligence activities; to recognize the absence of managerial con-
tra by the ma over many of these expensive programs and the
necessity for collective and coordinated action between the DCI
and the heads of departments to improve the efficiency and ef-
fectiveness of the overall intelligence effort. The wording of
the letter is intended to resolve any anbiguities which exist as
a met of differences between the earlier letters issued re-
spectively by President Kennedy and President Johnson. /t makes
it olear, for example, that the DCI is to work directly with heeds
of departments who are enjoined to collaborate with him in efforts
to improve intelligence activities.
When you have had a Chance to look the draft over, I should
greatly appreciate an opportunity to talk to you about
Cordimazy,
/s/ Richard Ae1m6
Richard Helms
Direetor
Enclosure
RH;ed (10/10/66) ?t$ 4 .111.11
Distribution:
Orig & 1 - Addressee 1 - ER
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1 - ExDir-Comp. / rono
1 -ExSec/USIB
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Dear Dickt
T wish to
DRAFT
ize the view epreesed to your predeces-
sem in my memorandum of 24 September 1965 ooncerning the high im-
portance of efficient management of the total united States foreign
intelligence effort which is vital to our national security and the
success of our foreign program,.
At the same time, we must all reccads* that the costa of
intelligence activities, in terms of both money and manpower, are
becoming an increasingly significant item in the national budget.
New and sophisticated intelligence collection deviees not only are
very expensive in themselves, but also require additional and nib-
stantial outlays of manpower for processing and analysis of the
material collected. Wo must hold these costs and epower commit-
ments to reasonable dimensions without aopomising our ability to
provide adequate intelligence support for the national security.
I recognize that you do not hove direct control over all the
assets which contribute to the foreign intelligence program of the
Government. Nonetheless, i expect you, as Director of Central
Intelligence, to guide and coordinate the intelligence community
as a whole and to taXe the lead in assuring that the intelligence
necessary to the 1oremmtment-63aperation is collected, evaluated,
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and disseminated with utmost efficiency. 1 shall expect the
heeds of departments and agencies having reeponetblUtieg in
the foreign intelligence field to give you their full suppoit
and cooperation. In additions I want you* working with them,
to insure that all foreign intelligence programs and activities
of this Government ars evaluated and eondnated efficiently and
effectively.
01$ 4 0101
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