MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD FROM MARSHALL S. CARTER
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP80B01676R001400040002-3
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
T
Document Page Count:
2
Document Creation Date:
December 15, 2016
Document Release Date:
April 16, 2004
Sequence Number:
2
Case Number:
Publication Date:
July 31, 1964
Content Type:
MFR
File:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
CIA-RDP80B01676R001400040002-3.pdf | 68.75 KB |
Body:
Approved For *a~
TT
ILLEGIB
B01676 1400 40002-3
31 July 1964
1. The DCI gave me the following policy position for
NRO and reconnaissance programs as of this date:
a. It is his fixed and unalterable position that the
national interest demands the continuation of two
organizations in instigating reconnaissance capabilities
thinking independently but eventually working together
at the management level when hardware is imminent;
b. There is no question in his mind but what the
contribution of CIA in the past and its current assem-
blage of talent with great enthusiasm and high compe-
tence bears this out, particularly in the light of the
stagnation in this field elsewhere.
2. He says that if the straightening out of this matter
requires a Presidential decision, he insists upon it and he
insists upon it now. He is not going to see the CIA capability
frittered away by fiat or by decisions at a lower level.
3. If the President is not prepared to make this decision
now or if the nittering and frittering away continues, it would
be his position that the whole reconnaissance operation be
turned over to the Department of Defense along with all the
responsibilities and the dangers of such a decision. I got the
distinct impression this would also include the Director's suit
if such action were taken.
25X1
4. As to the DCI wishes us to develop plans
for the complete construction, assembly, testing, and
NRO review(s) completed.
jUit.
Approved For Rele 1676R001400040002-3
ILLEGIB
Approved For ease OOa/01 7Io8 Coo-RnpsfROhs461400040002-3
WJ J
contracting of al reconnaissance space craft which
would then be delivered as a piece of Government-furnished
equipment to whatever operations people are designated to
launch and recover the payload. This would include whatever
intelligence community inputs are required to schedule and
approve launchings and nominal orbits as well as .targeting.
5. What he has in mind is CIA as a Government agency
delivering a totally completed and checked out space craft to
either NASA or the Air Forces for launching by them by an
appropriate booster system. Recovery would likewise be done
by the launching agency and the payload would then be returned
to CIA and the intelligence community for further action.
Marshall S. Carter
Lieutenant General, USA
Deputy Director
Approved For Releas - 1676R001400040002-3