MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL GROUP (CI) MEETING 2 P.M.,THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1963

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150048-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 31, 2014
• Sequence Number: 48
• Publication Date: June 6, 1963
• Content Type: MFR

?
?
Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/01/31 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150048-6
SE RET
June 6, 1963
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Special Group (CI) Meeting
2 p.m., Thursday, June 6, 1963
PRESENT: Mk. Johnson vice Governor Harriman, The Attorney General,
Mr. Gilpatric, Mr. MCCone, Mr. Murrow, Mr. Forrestal, Mr. Coffin
vice Mr. Bell, General Krulak vice General Taylor
Mk. Hilsman and Mr. Colby were present for Item No. 1.
Mr. Thompson, Colonel King, Mk. Engle and Mk. Harrison were
present for Item No. 2.
Mr. Meyer was present for Item No. 3.
Mr. Maechling and Mk. Nolan were present for the meeting.
1. Special Report - Mr. Forrestal
The Group received an oral briefing on this item. No papers were
circulated.
2. Progress Report on the Internal Defense Plan for Colombia
Mr. Thompson, Deputy Director, Office of West Coast Affairs, reviewed
the progress report on the Internal Defense Plan and commented on recent
developments in Colombia since the last report was considered by the
Group. He stated that the threats remain unchanged but progress has been
made in suppressing violence. The rate of deaths from bandit violence for
the first quarter of 1963 is about 20% below the same period a year ago.
Military pressure has localized violence in the central areas. Bandit
casualties have increased, including 12 bandit leaders killed. The civic
action program is going well. In response to Mk. McCone's question, Mr.
Thompson stated that the Colombian Government has recently resubmitted a
judicial reform bill to the Congress and a favorable action is expected.
Colonel King, in presenting his observations on the situation in
Colombia, remarked that civilian casualties are still about 10 times greater
than military or police casualties. Helicopters have been effectively
employed in operations against bandit groups. An encouraging development
is that the civilian population is overcoming its fear of the bandit groups
and is taking a more active role to support the government's efforts to
suppress violence. He pointed out that a major problem is the control of
subversive elements who enter the country after training in Cuba. Mr.
Thompson interjected that the Ambassador is aware of this problem.
CRET
Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/01/31 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150048-6
Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/01/31 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150048-6
, SECRET
) 40 0
2.
The Group discussed the Colombian Government's proposed reduction in
police forces and observed that this development appears to be undesirable
in view of the existing violence situation. Mk. Engle commented that he
has been informed that the Colombian Government plans to go ahead with
this reduction as the Defense Ministry decided to make this cut in the
police rather than the military.
The Group agreed that State, Defense and AID should look into this
matter to determine what steps can be taken to discourage this action.
The Group, in approving the progress report, noted that no amendment
to the IDP or additional resources were requested by the Country Team.
3. Report on Communist Infiltration into Student Grou s in Latin America.
Mk. Myer presented an oral briefing summarizing the findings of the
interdepartmental working group on Communist infiltration into student
groups in Latin America. He described the political, nationalistic and
other environmental factors affecting students and pointed out typical
Communist methods and tactics. He commented on efforts by various
Government agencies to counter the Communist effort.
Mk. Murrow commented that a Coordinator of Youth Affairs has been
established within the Country Teams and has the responsibility to work
closely with student groups. He cited several examples of how other USIA
programs are designed to incorporate youth and student group activities.
The Attorney General stated that student groups in Latin America are
one of our great problems and we are making progress but more can be done.
At the suggestion of the Attorney General and Mk. &Cone, the Group
requested that Ht. Battle be requested to explore what can be done to
encourage the development of local civic organizations to work with student
groups. State was also requested to make existing IDP's available to Mk.
Battle for of their youth and informational sections.
utilization
Mk. Myer was requested to report back to the Group at the June 20
meeting and present his ideas of what additional measures should be con-
sidered relative to youth and political actions in Latin America. Others
present were also asked to contribute their ideas on this subject.
4. Revised Instructions on the Preparation of Internal Defense Plank.
The Group approved the draft airgram submitted by State revising
instructions on the format for Internal Defense Plans.
The Group discussed whether a need exists for countries not under the
cognizance of the Group to prepare Internal Defense Plans. At the recommenda-
tion of the Attorney General, the Group requested that State and JCS
representatives consider State's country strategic studies program and
in the light of this, make recommendations on which, if any, additional
countries should be required to prepare plans.
SECRET
Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/01/31 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150048-6
- ? Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/01/31 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150048-6
-
SECRET
3.
The Group agreed that countries under the cognizance of the Group
should continue to submit quarterly progress reports. The Country Teams
should be informed that these reports should be as brief as possible and
if developments so indicate, a negative report can be submitted.
James W. Dingeman
Executive Secretary
Special Group (CI)
SECRET
Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/01/31 : CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150048-6