GUIDANCE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE AND COVERT OPERATIONS FOR JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R001100090019-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 16, 2007
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: February 16, 1950
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 29O? /1 T, Fe k 80RO1731 R00110g~1,
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
M ".1
SUBJECT: Guidance on Psychological Warfare and Coverts:
Operations for Joint Chiefs of Staff cft- ;_
The Problem - To furnish the Joint Chiefs of Staff with
basic policies and decisions bearing on foreign information, psycho-
logical warfare and covert operations upon which to base guidance in
these matters for the United States Military Representatives to the
Standing Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Discussion - In a memorandum to the Secretary of Defense
of 16 February 1950, "Guidance on Psychological Warfare Matters,'Ithe
Joint Chiefs of Staff state:
"The strategic concept for the defense of the North
Atlantic Area, as approved by the Atlantic Defense Committee
on 1 December 1949, provides that as a prerequisite to the
military implementation of common plans, measures must be
undertaken in advance for 'cooperation, insofar as is prac-
ticable, in preparing for the conduct of psychological and
other special operations.'
"In a memorandum for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dated.
15 November 1949, the U. S. Military Representative to the
Standing Group (SG), North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO), requested immediate guidance on psychological war-
fare matters. This request for guidance is the result of
a proposal from the French Representative that this problem
be considered by the Standing Group. The French proposal
suggests that the question of guidance for the planning in
this delicate field should initially be restricted to the
French, British, and American. No British position on this
matter is indicated in the memorandum by the U. S. Military
Representative, Standing Group, for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The U. S. Military Representative indicated, in his memorandum,
that his use of the term 'psychological warfare' was intended
to include not only informational activities but also special
operations both in peace and war, such as underground operations
and the employment of agents in enemy territory.
O SD REVIEW COMMETEcDat Chiefs of Staff, recognizing that important .
peacetime responsibilities for psychological warfare and covert
operations lie outside the Department of Defense, are of the
opinion that they should have statements of policy on these
matters prior to furnishing their guidance to the U. S. Military
Representative."
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A copy of a memorandum which was furnished by the French
Delegation to the Standing Group and which somewhat clarifies the
French suggestions is attached as Tab "A". The memorandum differentiates
between the political aspects of "psychological warfare," which is a
responsibility of the respective governments, and military aspects, the
provision for which is a responsibility of the Standing Group.
The responsibilities for the conduct of foreign information
and planning for psychological warfare in all periods from peace to war,
through emergencies or the initial stages of war, are clearly covered
for all participating departments or agencies in NSC-59.
The responsibilities of the Central Intelligence Agency for
covert operations and the functions of cooperating agencies are
covered in NSC-10/2.
It is recognized that in the circumstances the Joint Chiefs
of Staff are not in position to give guidance to the United States
Representative to the Standing Group without having as a basis for
their instructions the agreed views and position of the Secretaries
of State and Defense with the advice of the Director, Central
Intelligence Agency.
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Conclusion - That a paper should be prepared by the
Consultants, in collaboration with representatives of Central
Intelligence Agency, for the consideration of the Secretaries of
Defense and State to serve as a basis for the Joint Chiefs of Staff
in giving guidance to the United States Representative to the
Standing Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Recommendation - That the following draft be adopted:
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T SECT'
A P P E N D I X
FINCH DELEGATION
TO THE
STANDING GRAQP
NOMMG TEIJI
TI1 ION
xZKORANM
I. As a follow-yap to the ideas which were propounded at the
meeting of 2 November, it would appear useful to clarify the
following points:
IX. "Psychological Warfare", actually known as the "cold warty
is nothing also but a new strategic form of warfare itself. It
is made full use of, and improved upon daily by the USSR. It
is capable of producing important results (example Csechoslovakia).
III. The action to be taken against this form of warfare is
essentially within the province of governments.
IT, Hint the cold war also has its direct projection into alas-
sisal warfare, by the way in which its fifth columns and agents
of all sorts create disorganization in the rear of Armies. The
importance of such actions, if well organized, may be considerw
able.
V. In view of the disproportion existing between the defensive
means of the Pact Nations, and the forces of their eventual
aggressor, we are in duty bound not to neglect this aspect of
the problem. We have there a method of combating the enemy with
his own weapons, and capable of partly reestablishing the
balance of forces.
VI. It is, however, not possible to improvise such an action.
It must be minutely organized long in advance and in complete
secrecy.
It Is a Government problem. The Government asst set the
policy to be followed and the objectives to be attained.
SEC Appendix
JOS 1735/35
AnnrnvPdl For Release 00
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But this problem also has military aspects: studies of
Zones favorable to the employment of such action, study of the
organization to be set up; procurement, screening, instruction
and delivery of the personnel, etc.
VII. It is probable that certain countries have already initiated
a draft of action to be taken in this field. On the other hand
it is certain that this subject is far too delicate to be talon
into account by Committees on which the twelve Powers are
represented.
It would be useful, however, to insist on the necessity
of not losing sight of this type of problem, as well as to
organize, as far as possible, a certain convergence of efforts,
which would considerably increase their efficiency.
VIII. If all the Members of the Permanent Team are agreed on
this manner of presenting the problem, then the solution remains
to be fond.
The *Strategic Directives to the Regional Groups', which
are in the making, can and should insist on the importance of
this type of question. It would not appear possible to do more.
The setting up of convergence of efforts is a difficult problem,
possibly without solution, But, a chance, however small, of
doing something which could produce results, should not be a1"
lowsd to escape.
For this reason, it is suggested that the Members of the
Permanent Team bring thought to bear on this problem, and at.
tempt to solve it.
Tf- SECB T
JCS 1735/35
Appendix
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paper handed to him by OSD. Mr.
Wisner has a copy - so do the appropriate people in
State. This subject is to be considered at the next
Tuesday meeting at State. The points to be discussed
are: Who is to do what portion of the paper,
.1 Mar 50
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