MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPECIAL GROUP (CI) 2 P.M., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1963

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150016-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 22, 2003
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: September 19, 1963
• Content Type: MFR

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S E C R E T
September 19, 1963
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Group (CI)
2 p.m., Thursday, September 19, 1963
PRESENT: Governor Harriman, Mr. Bell, Mr. McCone, Mr. Murrow, Mr. Forrestal,
Mr. Bundy vice Mr. Gilpatric, Colonel Higgins vice General Taylor,
Mr. Nolan vice the Attorney General
Mr. Bond and Mr. Kitchen were present for Item No. 2,
NSC REVIEW
COMPLETED, Mr. Cottrell was present for Item No. 3 and 4.
6/26/2003
Mr. Jorden was present'for the meeting.
1. AID Procurement Procedures
Mr. Bell presented an interim report on measures initiated by AID to improve
procurement procedures in response to the Group's concern over proLlems in
procurement actions related to police and other programs in the Far East. AID
has established a system in cooperation with the military and GSA for the
priority handling of selected public safety procurement actions. This system
provides for adequate controls, follow-up procedures, delivery deadlines, and
establishes firm responsibility for actions to be taken. For non-priority
public safety items in the Far East, AID has retained its present system which
provides for procurement both in the field and in the U.S. with actions
monitored on a monthly basis. These measures have produced good results
and the system is now working well.
Mr. Bell commented that AID is now utilizing a Defense established stock-
pile of riot control equipment in Panama for emergency use in Latin America.
die added that this arrangement was required as Alp has no stockpile authority.
lie observed that th$s restriction could adversely affect AID's responsiveness
to emergency requests in other arts of the world,
Mr. Bell stated that the special "green stripe" procedure for expediting
urgent counterinsurgency procurement applies only to V'.et-Nan' and it is not con-
sidered feasible to apply this system to across-the-beard procurement actions.
Mr. Bell pointed out that AID's procurement procedures re unusual in that
they normally proc re through other agencies but this r~ystemJhas the advantage
of being extremelytflexible. 'there has been, however, a problem of determining
the status of these procurement actions. To correct this deficiency, AID is
now developing a centralized control system, while retaining the flexibility
of the present system.
Mr. Bell agreed to report. back to the Group in about 30 days on how these
efforts are progressing and, in addition, will comment on AID's stockpile
requirements.
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2.
2. Follow-up-Report-on the Interdepartmental Seminar
Mr. Bond, Coordinator of the Interdepartmental Seminar, reviewed for the
Group plans to place more emphasis on youth and labor in the curriculum of the
Seminar. There will be additional coverage of these subjects in all phases
of the course. Separate one-hour lectures on youth and labor will be given in
the Modernization phase of ihe course. Consideration of Communist efforts in
both fields will be introduced into the Threat phase. U.S. resources in the
two fields will be covered by a lecture in the Response phase. There will be
at least one case study in each of the two fields. There will also be at
least one Country Team problem covering'each of these areas. The Seminar
faculty and staff plan to conduct research on past experience in both areas
of activity. Mr. Bond stated that the introduction of these subjects in more
detail (including two more hours of lecture time) will not mean the elimination
of other material of value.
The Chairman commented that he had reviewed this plan and believes it a
good one and should give increased emphasis on the role of youth and labor in
the underdeveloped countries. The Chairman stated that any points uncovered
in the country case studies on youth and labor that would be of interest and
benefit to the Country Team should be passed to the field.
During a general discussion on the adequacy of research to evaluate the
effectiveness of U.S. youth and labor programs, both Mr. Bell and Mr. Morrow
observed that there was a need for an independdnt evaluation on these efforts.
The Group agreed that this was not a proper test for the seminar. However,
it was suggested that other facilities within the Government and outside
consultants could possibly be utilized to perform this function. It was also
agreed that this subject would be examined in more detail at a future meeting.
3. Follow-up Report on Venezuela
The Chairman asked Mr. McCone whether he was ratified with the Embassy's
report on its program covering the safety of U.S. personnel in Caracas and
whether this matter was being taken care of to his satisfaction. Mr. McCone
-said there perhaps had been a misunderstanding of the point raised at the
previous meeting, that his statement reflected the growing concern of his
agency over the increase in terrorism, the lack of action on the part of the
local Government to cope with the situation, and the threat this poses to
stability of the Betancourt Government. The security of U.S. personnel and
installations is only a part of the problem. The insurgency situation is
becoming extremely violent and there are indications that it is being backed
by Castro. Betancourt is relying almost exclusively on the civil police to
handle the terrorists and coordination between the military and police has
not been as effective as it could be. Betancourt is reluctant to use the
military to help counter the increase in terrorism. Mr. McCone agreed with
the comment that the Venezuelan Government has thus far acted with less vigor
and effectiveness against terrorism than the situation has warranted.
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Mr. McCone circulated a paper which describes those actions that could
be taken to improve the situation. Mr. Cottrell commented that there is still 2 5X1
room for improvement in the police effort but that progress is being made.
The Group agreed that State, I I should review N S C
the current situation and the list of actions prepared and report
back at the next meeting on an agreed course of action.
4. Pro r3 ess Report on the Internal Defense Plan for Ecuador
Mr. Cottrell commented that this report constitutes a situation report
rather than a progress report on the IDP. This report reflects that, in
general, all programs are going well. He pointed out that some problems
still exist due to the aggressive actions taken by the junta with the rail-
road unions. Effective steps have been taken to cleanse the universities of
Communist influence. Due to the favorable situation in Ecuador at the present
time, he suggested that the Group consider removing Ecuador from the critical
list.
Mr. Cottrell pointed out that the Country Team is now working on a new
IDP in view of the changed situation. This will be submitted to the Group
when completed. It was agreed that the suggestion to remove Ecuador from
the critical list be considered at the time of the IDP review or of the next
quarterly review. It was noted that some problems are still unresolved and a
hasty decision on this matter was unwise. The question of reviewing all
countries on the critical list was deferred for future action.
Miscellaneous
A. Mr. Forrestal brought to the Group's attention that the President has
reviewed a joint State/DOD/AID message (CA 1507 dated 6 August 1963) concerning
the possibility of increased use of Special Forces and Mobile Training Teams.
Mr. Forrestal commented that the President was not satisfied with the contents
of this message, as it does not dramatize to the Ambassadors how these forces
can be effectively utilized. He added that a personal letter on this subject
from the President to selected Ambassadors could be considered as a means to
accomplish this purpose.
The Group agreed that this matter should be referred to State to coordinate
the necessary action with the other responsible departzents, and that a sub-
sequent report will be submitted to the Group.
B. Mr. McCone commented that he is becoming increasingly concerned over
the situation in Brazil and believes that this subject should be reviewed by
some high level Group in the immediate future.
J es W. Dingem n
Executive Secretary
Special Group (CI)
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