SPECIAL GROUP (CI) ON 19 DECEMBER 1963

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150003-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 17, 2006
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: December 19, 1963
• Content Type: MFR

Approve - r Release 2006/0/ 1,7- :,'C -RDP80B 68001900150003-5
19 December 1963
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Special Group (CI) on 19 December 1963
1. I briefed the Group on developments in countries on
the counterinsurgency list generally along the lines of the
17 December OCI memorandum as augmented by the 19 December
memorandum. Nothing unusual happened and I fielded the
questions adequately.
2. On Item 2 I took exception to the complacency of the
State Department briefing and, after discussion in which I was
enthusiastically joined by Dave Bell and subsequently Governor
Harriman but less enthusiastically by Defense and State, the net 25X1
result was that it was decided to review the
team report at a meeting on 16 January and also to have a separate
study prepared to take a hard look at what we have been doing 0 25X1
25X1 I bver the past two or three years to determine whether
or not this led to the successful results we have just undergone --
in other words, an evaluation of our program and experience 0 25X1
25X1 o determine if we are on the right track in these other
countries. The general consensus was that State Department was
too complacent and that the situation was going to get worse in
these terrorist-threatened countries before it got better -- further,
that now was the time to increase our help rather than decrease
it. The only real point Defense made was that they were beginning
to feel our programs had reached the point where the countries in
question lacked the competence and personnel to absorb any more
help. Neither Bell nor I supported this view. I Iwas
present in case more details are needed.
3. As an added item Governor Harriman stated that he
had asked Tom Hughes to prepare a study of the political, economic, ;
and military situation in North Vietnam. He suggested to Hughes
NSC review(s) completed.
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that the Agency might be helpful in this regard. I would like
DD/I to touch base with Hughes to find out if he needs any help
and also to consider whether or not we should develop an Agency
paper or even a SNIE in this regard.
4. The agenda for the 9 January meeting was approved.
Marshall S. Carter
Lieutenant General, USA
Acting Director
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 Approved Fo Release 00F/Q3/17.,.: CIA-RDP80 01676R001900150003-5
13 December 1963
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Special Group (CI) Meeting, 12 December - 2:00 p. m.
McCone - reported as per papers.
Cottrell - U. S. to recognize the Dominican Republic and
Honduras Saturday - want help on CI - DD/P to help Cottrell.
S. E. Asian report -
War going badly particularly Delta. Has been
going for long time - New Govt. admits this - Diem did not - Don
spreading widely but this might straighten out - Diem Govt. alienated
peasants and Sects like Hoa Hoa - More troops to the Delta - 2 divisions.
Thailand - Things going well but we must see - Thanom not
strong - Danger of Thanom - axis U. S. Gen. Chitti - For moment
things going well.
McCone - Raised questions of the Serong briefing of SVN on
April 5th indicating a bad situation in the Delta and committee did
nothing about it.
Forrestal report - Review of SVN - in Cambodia - Sihanouk
in mental state safety of Americans of concern - Evacuation plans of
Americans should be implemented - in Laos - Frustration in right
wing - do not know where they are going - Agitation and movements
by right wing military - Phoumi losing status - money shut off.
Thailand - Country Team not coordinated in Thailand -
particularly in N. E. area.
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