LETTER TO THE HONORABLE VAL PETERSON FROM ALLEN W. DULLES

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80B01676R001000030021-7
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
5
Document Creation Date: 
December 19, 2016
Document Release Date: 
October 4, 2005
Sequence Number: 
21
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
January 26, 1954
Content Type: 
LETTER
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80B01676R001000030021-7.pdf226.07 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001000030021-7 ER 5-1286/A JAN 26 1 odbi"t cc brow to a 8 . mom, *A- Mt at tie blriettsn std' i- s11" 9 V136 ww ASM&I fsws~jty Cowa1 =d 00MOt be q VV* OWSMI ~, - Wareet Vill q PM ~y uwi eanW= our wow* ym at z ~. ng X v t to o ...} t it yaw ~ a1tarl w gi*ftrely Alum W. VaLl" "e1er 4/DCI vml (26 Jan 54 ) Distribution : prig - addressee 1 DCI files I - official w/basic 1 - roading 1 - VML chrono DIA review(s) completed. FEMA review(s) completed. On file OSD release instructions apply. Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001000030021-7 y~+4 A. Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001000030021-7 FEDERAL CIVIL DEFENSE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON 25, D. C. JAN 211954 Honorable Allen W. Dulles Director Central Intelligence Agency Washington 25, D. C. In further reference to the Civil Defense Committee of the Life In- surance Association of America, which was discussed in my letter of December 29, 1953, I thought it might be helpful to describe a little more fully our conception of the briefing which you might care to arrange for this Committee. As we have discussed this Committee's assignment for the Life In- surance Association of America, it has become clear that the life insurance officials by and large are either quite confused or have serious doubts as to the reality and nature of the threats that face this country. At the same time, they clearly do not comprehend he scope and nature of the effects of weapons potentially deliverable against us. I realize fully that much of the information needed by this Committee should be provided by other agencies; notably the Atomic Energy Commission, the Office of Defense Mobilization, and the Departn'ent of Defense. Letters similar to my letter of December 29 have gene to those agencies. We are assured informally of their cooperation in handling their respective portions of the briefing planned for this Committee. From our discussions with the members of the Committee, it aphear3 to us that your Agency could best contribute by giving them an ovt?ral? evaluation of the threat to this country, inherent in the present and future capability of the Soviet Union to attack the continental United States. This would naturally lead into a somewhat more detailed discussion of the possible scale and nature of such an attack, particu- larly as regards the characteristics of weapons and means of deliver-v. Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001000030021-7 Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001000030021-7 - 2 - We have tentatively scheduled January 28 and 29 for the briefing of this Committee in Washington, subject to completion of their security clearances. Since the Central Intelligence Agencyts part of the pro- gram should logically precede the others, I would appreciate it very much if you could arrange this briefing for Thursday morning, Jan- uary 28. I hope this date will be convenient to you and your staff, .s it will permit us to set up a logical and balanced schedule for the Committee. I know that our respective staffs have already been in contact in this matter, and I feel sure that a valuable program will be worked out. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated, and I know that it will result in the Committee's being able to make a distinct contribution, not only to the progress of civil defense, but to national understanding of the entire defense program. 1 Sincerely, Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80B01676P401000030021-7 Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001000030021-7 FEDERAL CIVIL DEFENSE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON 25, D. C. JAN 21 1954 Honorable Allen W. Dulles Director Central Intelligence Agency Washington 25, D. C. In further reference to the Civil Defense Committee of the Life In . surance Association of America, which was discussed in m, lette, of December 29, 1953, I thought it might be helpful to descr..be a little more fully our conception of the briefing which you mi;,nt ca--e to arrange for this Committee. As we have discussed this Committee's assignment for the Life Its surance Association of America, it has become clear that the life insurance officials by and large are either quite confused or have serious doubts as to the reality and nature of the threats tliat face this country. At the same time, they clearly do not compre wend scope and nature of the effects of weapons potentially deliverable against us. I realize fully that much of the information needed by this Gommit ee should be provided by other agencies, notably the Atomic Etiergy Commission, the Office of Defense Mobilization, and the Departrr;-::nt of Defense. Letters similar to my letter of December 29 have go.-,e to those agencies. We are assured informally of their coop-.ratio in handling their respective portions of the briefing planned for th:.s Committee. From our discussions with the members of the Committee, it appars to us that your Agency could best contribute by giving them in ove rail evaluation of the threat to this country, inherent in the present an=. future capability of the Soviet Union to attack the continental United States. This would naturally lead into a somewhat more detailed discussion of the possible scale and nature of such an attac), par, :cu- larly as regards the characteristics of weapons and means of deli _-cry. Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001000030021-7 ft-0 %_0 Approved For Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001000030021-7 on W. F ul1ee 104 laud Wry 28 and t9 for the bri.Ln oI fttaas. Subject to cenWIeticit of th' the Cent #1 la .nce A4pncy'* part of rim z caally precede the o ta, I would app ciate ;t *r td arrange thi_.s rioting far Thwr .g morning, Jan - ,g appreciated. and I know tit.. bad able to rnako a distiaact c T0 rcaaa of civil defense, but to natieftal re ease program.. eiyo SGDV,LP ,7,F Val Petersca =0 s ante Will be c v ie*t to you your std, up a logical and bat c.d sa eed%de for t: active stag l k&-.* aa4r0beams in c taa M e tb&t a valt as pars rsau id U be worker Vic. SQN Approved Q%r Release 2006/03/17 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R001000030021-7