ACTIONS TAKEN, UNDERWAY, OR IMMEDIATELY PRACTICABLE FOR THE REDUCTION OF COMMUNIST POWER AND INFLUENCE IN FRANCE AND ITALY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R003200020017-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 14, 2008
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: November 15, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

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SECUli TY INFORMATION PSB D-16/a
15 November 1951
Copy No
29
REPORT
ACTIONS TAKENZ UNDERW~Ys OR IMMEDIATELY P-ACTICABLE
FOR
THE REDUCTION OF COMMUNIST POWER AND INFLUENCE IN
"'RANCE AND ITALY
NSC review completed
This Report and the Attached
Statement of Policy
were Approved by Action
of thePsychological Strategy Board
on November I 1951
State Dept. review completed
(This is an Approved Guidance
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SECURITY INFORK,~T ION
MORI/CDF Pages 1-12
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SECURITY : IFOH 4ATION
PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGY BOARD
Statement of Policy
Reduction of Com*rtinist Power and Influence
in France and Italy
1, In support of approved national policy, the following is Nrnished
to the departments and a,enci~J concerned for guidance in the develop-
ment of current plans and actions :
Objectives
To reduce the strength of the Communist Party, including its
material resources, international organizations, and influence
in the French and Italian Governments, as well as its appeal to
the Frenc` and Italian people, so that it will no longer consti-
tute a threat to the security of France and Italy and the objec-
tives of the United States.
2. The departments and agencies concerned will:
a. Support relevant anti-Communist actions now being taken by the
French and Italian Governments#
b'. Employ, where ;practicable, moral, economic, and political pres-
sures available to the United States to the end that the French and
Italian Governments will move vigorously toward the fulfillment of the
above objectives,
c. Conduct their activities in France and Italy, to the extent
practicable, in a manner which will assist in meeting the above objectives.
d. Provide, under the general direction and control of the Ambassa-
dors to France and Italy, coordinated actions in furtherance of the
above objectives.
3. The Department of State will:
a. Request U. S. Ambassadors in Paris and Rome.,. in their discretion,
to establish with each Embassy a panel or committee comprising repre-
sentatives of the agencies represented on Panel C to plan and coordinate
action approved by the PSB.
b. Request the two Ambassadors to report to the State Department
from time to time on developments, including the effectiveness of various
planned actions and the possibilities for further action. The Depart.
ment will arrange for the distribution of these reports to the representa-
tives of the other agencies represented on Panel C and to the Director
of the Psychological Strategy Board:
4. Psychological strategy plans in implementation of the foregoing will.
be furnished at an early date. Pending their issuance, the actions out-
lined in the attached. report "Actions Taken, Under Way, or Immediately
Practicable" will be developed by departments and agencies concerned.
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FRANCE
I. Actions by the French Government
A. Repressive Measures to Combat Communist Strength.
1. Internal Security,
a. Decree of Sept. 30, 1950, calling for reorganization of the
internal security system to cope with Communist fifth
column in the event of a national emergency, should be fully
implemented, Action: State*
b. French should improve enforcement of, as well as strengthen,
existing legislation on military indiscipline and sabotage.
Action: State, assisted by Defense.
2. Elimination of Communists from Key Positions.
a. French policy is to remove Communists from top spots in
public administration and the national economy, Progress
has been relatively satisfactory, but further action is
desirable. French should extend policy to cover Communists
in lesser positions in civil and military service. Some
of the areas requiring immediate attention: films, radio,
atomic energy commission, ministries of defense, educa-
tion and labor. Action: State.
be Elimination of Communist control over plant committees,
shop delegates and the hiring and firing of longshoremen
awaits an amendment to the law on collective bargaining,
redefining trade union "representivity" to include un-
qualified adherence to the national defense. Action; State.
a. Government should cease indirect subsidization of Communists
who, as permanent trade union employees, are paid by the
Government rather than the unions in the sphere of nation-
alized industry. Action: State.
3. General Proscriptive Measures,
a, Leading international and foreign Communist organizations
and fronts have been outlawed, but no action has been
taken against French affiliates. Action: State,
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b. Sale and distribution of Soviet and Cominform periodicals has
been prohibited, but the prohibition requires vigorous con-
tinuing enforcement to be effective. State believes situation
is satisfactory? but will seek confirmation from rmbas.ey.
c. Government has prohibited three French Conthuhist and Communist
front demonstrations, Embassy will witch situation and follow-
up as necessary'.
d. Government has deported some foreign Communists, mostly Spanish,
but should be stimulated to deport any others still in France,
Action: State.
Deviationism,
Discreet government assistance is being given to deviationist
movement within CPF and CGT. Action: State.
B. Positive Measures to Combat Communist Appeal.
1. Propaganda.
2. Productivity.
Government, aided by VISA, should carry on a broad program to
increase industrial productivity, working through a national
productivity board composed of management? labor, consumer
and government members. In the process, government should.
encourage non-Communist labor unions to work together in a joint
organization to support the productivity drive, and in its
wake to strengthen the hold of these unions on:'French labor.
Action: NSA and State.
Economic.
Government should ship military and economic aid cargoes from
the U. S. (where title is taken in the U. S.) through ports
selected so that port operations would militate against Com-
munist strength. Action: State, assisted by Defense.
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II. Actions by the U. S. Government
A. Repressive Measures to Combat Communist Strength.
1. Efforts to discredit Communist front and Corurinist supported
propaganda and political organizations are now being made
through USIS and ECA information programs. Present efforts
will be intensified. Action: State, M SA, CIA.
2. U. S. will encourage a French program to destroy Communist
leadership in French trade unions and to build up non-
Communist unions. MSA will exert leverage through its
productivity drive, and Embassy will continue to furnish
assistance through labor attache. Action: State, i'ISA, CIA.
Positive Measures to Combat Communist Appeal,
1. Public Opinion.
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e. Military Departments can, in connection with person-
nel stationed or on leave in the country, adopt
programs whichi
1. Through positive troop attitudes, public relations
programs, local youth activity projects and similar
measures, generate good will and strive to weaken
Communist strength,
2, Will minimize the adverse propaganda potential of
the utilization, if any, by these garrisons of
housing, services or.facilities which impinge on
the indigenous requirements for these items.
3. Through positive forward steps (consultation and
cooperation with French authorities, surveys of
native public opinion, troop information and educa-
tion programs, etc.) will forestall adverse criti-
cism arising from force operations and training
activities, personnel conduct, etc. Action: Defensev
f. The U. S. will intensify demonstrations of Western strength
of purpose and military capabilities, as in fleet visits
and aerial shows, etc. Action: Defense.
2. Political
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3.
Economic
a. The U. 5.will carry out the MSA Production Assistance
Program, :involving national production centers, demon-
stration plants (with technical and financial assistance
and full attention to the distribution of benefits to
labor and consumers), and a broad supporting psycholog-
ical-informational program. Action: MSA, State.
be The U. S. will encourage and aid non-Communist unions to
swing in behind the productivity operations in industrial
plants and, adopting productivity objectives as their
platform and working unitedly rather than competitively, to
carry on vigorous membership campaigns. Action:MSA, State,
c. MSA will approve release of counterpart funds with a view
to promoting French defense production in such a way as
to foster more efficient production, higher wages and
better working conditions for workers, lower prices for
consumers, better management-labor relations, increased
strength of non-Communist unions. This will involve dis-
crimination, in so far as is practicable, in favor of
cooperative plants and labor unions and against the non-
cooperative (including Communist dominated plants and
unions). Action: MSA, State,
d. U. S. military and NSA will conduct off-shore procurement
of supplies in France to promote, in so far as practicable,
the objectives cited in c, above. Action: Defense, 1ASA,
Agriculture.
e. U. S. military will, as far as possible, influence selection
of ports and port facilities for military aid cargoes in
such a manner as to discriminate, as far as possible, against
Communist-dominated unions and areas and to strengthen the
non-Communist. Action: Defense.
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ITALY
I. Actions by the Italian Government and Democratic Elements.
A. Repressive Measures to Combat Communist Strength.
1. General Approach.
In general, government should treat Italian Communists as Communists
rather than Italians and discriminate against thorn through le gis-
lative and administrative harassment, suppression and control.
Communists were hampered in their efforts to get to the Berlin
Youth Festival, and the government is beginning to enforce documen-
tation requirements on merchandise exported by Communist-run
trading firms. Further steps should be taken, as for example the
denial of customary passes or rebates on rail fares for Communist
delegates to trade union conventions. Action: State.
2. Elimination of Comnmunists.
Efforts should be increased to remove Communists and follow travelers
from national, regional, provincial and municipal. payrolls, with
immediate attention given to Defense and Interior Ministries; from
executive positions in government-controlled iiduntr.ios; from
labor employment advisory boards and other positions representing
workers' interests. National government has made some progress in
this respect since June, 1947, as in the Ministries of Transporta-
tion and Defensep but substantially more progress is needed at
all levels of tie government. Action: State
3. Schools
Communist "activist" schools should be suppressed; this may require
a new law. Action: State.
4. Arms Caches
Pffective legal action should be taken against those engaged in
the illegal movement and caching of arms. Government has been
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vigorous and efficient in detecting and confis6ating arms caches,
but has taken little or no action against the responsible parties.
Action: State,
5. Labor Discrimination.
The government should provide that only non-Communist-organized
labor shall be employed in ports, industrial establishments or
other facilities which are handling, manufacturing or processing
U.S, materials, The Prime Minister has already been urged to do
this; it has been accomplished at the port of Leghorn. Action:
State, assisted by Defense.
B. Positive Measures to Combat Communist Appeal.
1. Propaganda
Government should engage in aggressive propaganda, with the help
of a more effective information program, to counteract the false
and subversive utterances of the Communist press and other media,
to expose the real nature of Communism and to encourage enthusiasm
for democracy. Some progress has been made with the appointment
of a new director of information. Action: State,p MSA, CIA.
2. Protection
More effective action should be taken to protect individuals
against Communist intimidation. This is one facet of the
general problem of hoodlumism and calls for concerted government
action. Action: State.
3. Social and economic
a, The government should pursue energetically a program of agrarian
reform to cover land tenure, agricultural labor conditions, re-
settlement, productivity and development. Aim should be to
attract private investment in productive undertakings by the
selective use of public funds in this field. International Bank
and ECA are supplying funds in the latter respect,
Action: State, MSA.
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.'. Ji ~l \11Li:l
b. Government program to provide adequate housing for Italians
(financed in part by counterpart funds) should favor tenancy
by non-Communists. Action: State, 16A.
c. The government should pursue, in cooperation with the i.1.; ., a
program for increased industrial productivity, and at the same
time take steps to increase the influence and membership of
non-Communist labor organizations. ECA is in the process, of
negotiating productivity agreements, supported by the embassy.
Action: MSA, State, CIA,
d. The government should enlarge its public works program to reduce
unemployment. some expansion is standard procedure during the
winter months. Action: State, MSA.
e. The government should take immediate action to improve labor
legislation. Action: PEA, State.
f. Government should ship military and economic aid cargoes from
the U.S. (where title is taken in the U.S.) through ports
selected so that part operations would militate against Communist
strength. Action: State, assisted by Defense.
II. Actions by the United States Government
A., Repressive Measures to Combat Communist Strength.
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1, Propaganda.
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3. Military
The U. S. will intensify demonstrations of Western strength of
purpose and military capabilities, as in fleet visits, aerial
shows, etc. Action: Defense,
4. Economic
a. The US. will carry out the MSA Production Assi .tar,;e Pro n,
involving national production centers, demonstrations plants
(with technical and financial assistance and full attention.
to the distribution of benefits to labor and consumers), and
a broad supporting psychological-informational program.
Action: MSA , State.
b. The U.S. will encourage and aid non-Communist unions to swing
in behind the productivity operations in industrial plants
and, adopting productivity objectives as their platform and
working unitedly rather than competitively, to carry on
vigorous membership campaigns. Action: MSA, State.
c, NSA will approve release of counterpart funds with a view to
promoting; Italian defense production in such a way as to
foster more efficient production, higher wages and better
working conditions for workers, lower prices for consumers,,
better management labor relations, increased strength of non-
Communist unions. This will involve discrimination, insofar
as practicable, in favor of cooperative plants and labor
unions and against the non-cooperative (including Communist-
dominated plants and unions). Action: MSA, State.
d. U.S. military and MSA will conduct off-shore procurement of
supplies in Italy to promote, insofar as practicable, the
objectives cited in c. above. Action: Defense, MSA, Agri--
culture,
e. U.S. military will, as far as possible, influence selection of
ports and port facilities for military aid cargoes in such a
manner as to discriminate, as far as possible, against Com-
munist-dominated unions and areas and. to strengthen the non-
Communist. Action: Defense.
10.
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Security lnTormation
Noted by , Del
COPY NO. 4 2
Sixteenth Meeting of the
PSYCH0LOGICJ,I, STRATEGY BOARD
to be held
October 30, 1952 2:30 P.M.
Directorts Conference Room
Administration Building
Central Intelligence Agency
PSB A-16a
October 27, 1952
1.' Program of Psychological Preparation for Stalin?s Passing
(PSB D-2! October 2T, --M
distributed herewith -.
For approval.
wised draft
2. PSB Quarterly Report to the President and the National
Security ouncil'~F?S~ll-3T~ ~Distri.bued~t~ber~j; 1952)
For approval.
3. Fiscal Year 1954 Escapee Pudget (P-,-B D-18a/5) (Distributed
Octo-Eer 23,
For consideration and approval.?
C4, i. A)
Charles E. Jo 4son
Secretary to t1I e /Board
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