REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR LANGUAGE LESSONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-00755R000200120146-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 13, 2000
• Sequence Number: 146
• Publication Date: March 10, 1948
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For RelVase 2000/08/16 : CIA-RDP81-00755R000200120146-9
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10 March 1948
MEMORANDUM
TO Chief, Administration and Services
FROM Chief Foreign Branch T.
SUBJECT: Request for Authorization for Language Lessons
1. Vouchers, claiming reimbursement for language
lessons taken in the field, have been submitted by FBT
stations because:
a. The speed required in manning Latin American
posts necessitated the employment of personnel who did not
have language qualifications.
b. After arrival at their posts, personnel found
the language barrier a severe handicap,, since they could
not adequately receive visitors, answer telephones, or
translate documents.
25X1C
25X1A9a
$153.75
c. In order to accomplish their mission, personnel
hired instructors, studied the language, and submitted
vouchers claiming reimbursement. Personnel regarded
language lessons as a justifiable operational expense,
and had not been informed before departure that sum Jjsons
would be disallowed
for this item.
d. Since 1 September, 1947, no further vouchers on_
language lessons
la-ve been submitted. In the futre,
r approval will be requested before contracting for
ore gn anguage instruction.
2. This Branch is not recommending approval for all
submitted vouchers. In the case of the following oper-
ational and reports officers, reimbursement is requested;
Intelligence Officer Staff, 25X1A6a
Originally employed as Deputy Chief of FBT Wsubject had no language qualifications the asf~ield.
However, on the instructions of the Assistant Director
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for Special Operations, he was assigned to the
number two position in- This required an 25X1A6a
immediate acquisition of Spanish. Present oper-
ational demands have required continued study.
153.7
w
SuL Jec C.
had no opportunity to take lessons in Washington,
but because of her study of Spanish in the field, is
performing the duties of intelligence officer reports.
25X1A6a
Intelligence Officer Reports,
as ur ently needed to open the - office,25X1A6a
t
Chief, 25X1A6a
Fluent knowledge of Spanish is essential for efficient
operations at this station, and the refresher lessons
represented an important time-saving factor in 25X1A
initiating the operations of the post, for which he was
an emergency volunteer.
25X1A6a
13.76 Chief,
Chief of Station required refresher lessons in order
to immediately begin the operational mission in
25X1A6a - In his two months intelligence training in
Washington, he had no time for a refresher course.
? 25X1A6a
23.00 , Chief,
A review of the language, under capable direction, was
necessary to obtain the complete fluency required in
the operational duties of the Chief of Station. He
25X1A6a was originally to be assigned as second officer at
but was sent out as Chief of Station at 25X1A6a
when the officer who was to take that post decline
appointment.
3. The Chief of Station in 25X1A6a
understood that station funds could "e use,?
language lessons, when in the judgment of the Chief, a knowledge
25X1A6a of would contribute substantially to the usefulness
of the emp oyee. A knowledge of the language is essential for
operational and top administrative personnel, and it is
25X1Aga extremely difficult to recruit suitable personnel with a 25X1A9a
25X1Aga workable knowledge of
- subject is assisting the principal local agent daily,
25X1A6a and is handliningaddimany
30.71 ntelligence Officer Sta
69.66 25X1A9a Intelligence Officer 0
43.15 Administrative Officer,
76.74 Intelligence Officer
25X1A6a
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' 83.98
58.96
25X1A6a
TOTAL: $721.22
755R000200120146-9
4. Recommend that approval be given for
reimbursement of the above sums, expended by FBT
personnel for language lessons.
25X1A9a
Chief Foreign Branch T:
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81-00755R000200120146-9
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