MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL GROUP (CI) MEETING 2 P.M.,THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1963

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150047-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 31, 2014
• Sequence Number: 47
• Publication Date: June 13, 1963
• Content Type: MFR

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MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
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June 13, 1963
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Special Group (CI) Meeting
2 p.m., Thursday, June 13, 1963
PRESENT: Governor Harriman, The Attorney General, Mk. Gilpatric, Mr. Bell,
General Taylor, Mr. Murrow, Mr. Forrestal, Mr. Colby vice Mr.
McCone
General Krulak was present for Item 1.
Mk. Koren was present for Items 1, 2, and 3.
Mr. Bowling was present for Item 4.
Mi. Meechling was present for the meeting.
1. Southeast Asia Status Report
Viet-Nam Mk. Koren commented that the Vietnamese action to follow
through on funding of CI project has been most encouraging. About 64% of
the rural population has been incorporated into the strategic hamlet pro-
gram, and the hamlets now completed are over one-half of the projected
goal. The press has reacted favorably to recent efforts to brief them on
military operations. The Group reviewed the Buddhist problem and expressed
concern over the hesitancy of the Vietnamese Government to take action to
ease the situation. It was acknowledged that the situation could rapidly
become more serious, but that the Country Team is handling the situation
well.
Mr. Bell inquired about the validity of the number of returnees reflected
in the status report, and what follow-through procedures are utilized to
convert them into useful citizens. He observed that if good results have
been achieved in this program, these facts should be exploited in the press.
The Group requested State to submit a report on the results achieved in this
program.
In response to Mt. Gilpatric's question on what else is being done in
the Montagnard program, Mt. Koren stated that we are distributing food,
medicine, and clothing to the tribesmen. Mk. Gilpatric commented that if
we have a good story to tell on this program, it should be brought to the
attention of the press. The Group requested State to submit a report on
the successes achieved in this program.
Thailand Mk. Koren reported that the engineering survey on the first
two high priority roads was completed on June 10, and the total cost is
estimated at $10 million--half of which will be paid by the Thais. He
commented that reports indicate a slight increase in infiltration from Laos
during the last six months but the number of suspects picked up is about
double that of last year. About 3,000 individuals have gone from Thailand
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2.
into Laos, but we are not sure how many have come back into Thailand. At
the request of the Attorney General, Mk. Koren was asked to determine if a
census has been taken in the Northeast provinces and what other measures
have been established for population control. The Group requested State
to submit a report on this subject at the June 27 meeting.
Mr. Gilpatric, in commenting on AID's action to procure .45 caliber
ammunition from civilian sources to support the provincial police program,
stated that Defense can provide ammunition from existing reserves if it
is judged to be a high priority requirement and is brought to the attention
of the proper officials within Defense, General Taylor suggested that
General Krulak be contacted to assist in resolving problems of this nature.
The portable 50 KW radio transmitter, along with the operators, are
ready to be moved to Thailand and Mr. Bell reported that the AID funds have
been allocated. The only problem remaining is the selection of a site
which will providethe best coverage into the Northeast areas.
Cambodia Mr. Bell informed the Group that MAP will fund POL and other con-
sumables for FY 1963 but it has not been decided whether AID or MAP will
fund these items in FY 1964. This latter point will depend on Congressional
action taken on the FY 1964 budget.
2. Pro ress Re ort on Internal Defense Plan fo C="bodi
Mk. Bell acknowledged that there were delays in funding the village
kits program. He stated that a contributing factor to this delay is that
the funding formula now in use divides the responsibility for civic action
programs. Mk. Gilpatric agreed with Mk. Bell's observation that the
current agreed funding formula should be continued and both agreed to con-
duct a joint review of operating procedures in implementing civic action
programs.
3. Progress Report on Internal Defense Plan for Thailand
The progress report was noted by the Group as the status of programs
was previously covered during the discussion of Thailand under Agenda Item
One.
4. Follow-up Report on Iran
Mk. Bowling reviewed for the Group the major points contained in the
State memorandum on this subject. He pointed out that a response to the
Group's request for information on specific action to assist land reform
and counteract the economic recession is now being formulated by the
Country Team.
The Chairman commented that responsibility for following through on
actions taken in these areas should be clarified as between the Special
Group and the NSC Standing Group.
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3.
5. Miscellaneous
A. Youth Programs. During the discussion of the internal Defense Plans
for Cambodia and Thailand, the Attorney General reviewed the sections devoted
to youth programs. He commented that these sections indicated that efforts
in this area are inadequate. Hr. HUrrow responded by reviewing in detail
the USIA program in Cambodia and cited several examples which reflect the
extent of this program. Mr. Bell commented that USIA programs, although
supporting youth groups, is not a substitute for a coordinated program to
build leadership within the young people. There still exists a requirement
to bring together all of our resources into a coordinated country program.
The Attorney General described for the Group the functions of the Committee
on Youth that was formulated to place emphasis on this effort. The Group
agreed with his Observation that in order for youth programs to be effective,
they must receive the active support of the Ambassadors.
The Group requested State and USIA, in coordination with other agencies,
to report back to the Group at the June 20 meeting on the scope and adequacy
of U.S. youth programs in Cambodia and Thailand.
B. AillgIng. In response to a request by the Attorney General, General
Taylor agreed to submit a report at the June 27 meeting on the content of'
and student reaction to counterinsurgency courses now being conducted at
special schools operated by the military. The Group agreed that other
departments and agencies will submit reports at the June 27 meeting on the
content of and student reaction to counterinsurgency courses being con-
ducted within their school systems. It was further agreed that police
training would be excluded from this report.
L
James W. Dingeman ..)
Executive Secretary
Special Group (CI)
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CONFIDENTIAL
June 7, 1963
MEMORANDUM FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL GROUP (CI)
SUBJECT: Agenda for the Meeting of the Special Group (CI)
2 p.m., Thursday, June 13, 1963
1. Southeast Asia Status Report (State) (20 Minutes)
2. Progress Report on the Internal Defense Plan for Cambodia (State)
(20 Minutes)
3. Progress Report on the Internal Defense Plan for Thailand (State)
(20 Minutes)
4. Follow-up Report on Iran (State) (20 Minutes)
5. Proposed Agenda for the Meeting 9f June 20. 1963
6. Approval of theMinutes of the Meeting of June 6. 1963
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James W. Dingeman
Special Group (CI)
Executive Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL
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