INTELLIGENCE EXPLOITATION OF THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP TO THE USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R003400010002-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 3, 2002
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: March 24, 1960
• Content Type: MF

24 March 1960
MEMORANDUM FOR THE x)mECTOR
pproved For Release 2002/07/29 : CIA-RDP~
SUBJECT; Intelligence Exploitation of the President Is. Trip
to the
1. In accordance with 'your request of last autumn. I
have prepared the present memorandum on certain intelligence
aspects of the President's forthcoming trip to the USSR, based
in part on the experience of the Vice Presideatts trip. The
major intelligence considerations, consistesg with the special
nature of the trip and its primary political ob jectiveS. are:
(a) briefings for the President and perhaps for some members
of his party, (b) local intelligence opportunities provided by
the itinerary. (c) the presence cl one or more intelligence
officers in the President's party as observers, and (4) the.
briefing and debriefing of others. both in the official party and
in the press entourage, for specified overt or semi-overt
intelligence collection.
2.. Briefing. For The President. The Department of
State is preparing a large number of background papers for
Ambassador Bohlen and the President. In addition to this broad
background preparation, the President would probably find very
useful a briefing such as the one you presented to the Vice
President, highlighting (a) major issues likely to be raised by
Khrushchev. and (b) a few key questions of intelligence interest
to be borne in mind and perhaps to be raised in his talks with
Khrushchev. Depending upon the composition of the entourage
and the itinerary planned, it would probably also prove useful
to provide additional briefings to others, similar to those given
last time to Dr. Milton Eisenhower and to Admiral Rickover.
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3. bulky background briefing uaterlals for use during
the trip proved impractical, and are not rea ommensisd. For
example, the extensive classified biographies of Soviet leaders
prepared for the Vice President were not used. On the other
hand, brief notes on places and especially on Individuals whom
--
the President will meet ... in particular away from Moscow
will probably again be useful for spot briefings to the President
during the trip.
4 Itinerary. Tentative plans for the trip, from 10-19
Junes, call for the President to leave the. USSR via Irkutsk and
Khabarovsk in the Far Nast. A proposed itinerary has already
been submitted to the Soviets, but no reply has yet boon received.
When the itinerary is confirmed, detailed ling can be wade
for covering intel igmtce interests in the cities to be visited.
The schedule should be detearria ed soon, as the advance party
is due in Moscow on 6 April and plans to to over the entire
routs.
5. The only specific facility that the President might
wish to request visiting would be "thee ICJSM plant. 11 The
President might prefer not even to ask for such a visit, since
the written request made for the Vice President was not
answered, and since lCh rusbchev declined the invitation to
visit such facilities in this co entry. On the other hand, this
is the key intelligence oood, and one which the President's
visit offers a unique chance of inducing tbs Soviets to give
access. Moreover, by analogy, while the Soviets declined
to permit the Vic* President to depart by way of we Far Nast,
they have accepted the President's request. It would, in any
cane, be highly advisable for the President to dude same
knowledgeable on missile production in Ale party since --
whether requested by us or not -- Khrushche v might decide
for his own reasons to show the President a missile plant.
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6. Observers. The pattern of includIepeg Intelligence
observers in high-level exchange visits is now well established
in practice, and there is no reason to believe that the President
would be placed in an awkward position by including oats or
more intelligence officers in his party. The Soviets do so, and
they expect as to do so as a matter of course. The chief
advantage is the presence of nun who leave an awareness of
the particular gaps and requirexa #s of intelligence. While
briefing of ethets can cover many routine aspects of intelligence
collection, special clearances and intimate knowledge of the
state of our intelligence needs, some experience ta. the USSR,
and in some cases also knowledge of the language, are necessary
to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities. In the Vice
President's paurty there wars three US ' iatellgence officers
and the undersign . (The. State Department and Secret Service
officers in that group were cooperative, but djd not pursue
intelligence interests and opportawaeities. )
1. A second function which intelligence observers can
perform is to provide iaformatton or advice on intelligence
questions which may arise on the trip. Alero, they can forward
information net eatb erwise available (for OM MOO- a quick
analysis of initial Soviet radio and press reportage on the Vice
President's trip was seat so that it could be given to him in
Moscowl he was quite interested and a rpreciative).
S. ArlI and Deebriefine Others. The value of advance
briefing and s sweat debriefing umber of members of
the party is substantial. Experience supports the went that
advance briefing is essential to sonic forms of intelligence
xploitatioa, and helpful to all. A few eaae mples aret roue
identification of key locations in cities visited; observations,
such as lookout for missile sites; asking key questions and
taking notes of conversations at "rte press conferences",
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submitting a memorandum on this subject.
especially at factories and the iihe; and advance guidanc. an
desired photography. OCR and 00 are interested in gem
maximum advance notice of the composition of party in
order to facilitate the briefing program. Mr. Sorel is
The President's litothos The State Department
is drafting spoaches, and the Agency may have opportunity
through an appropriate OC channel or through A hoe
arrangements to offer comments a i advico'ou the PresEidentto
speeches. as was dose for those given by the Vices President.
cc:
D/DCI
DD/I
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