INTELLIGENCE PRIORITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81B00401R002000170009-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 7, 2006
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: May 1, 1978
• Content Type: MF

SECRET
Approved For Release 2006/11/13 : CIA-RDP81 B00401 R002000170009-6
The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington. D. C 20505
1 Pr1Ay 1973
0
MEMORANDUM FOR: Secretary of Defense
FROM : Chairman, Policy Review Committee (Intelligence)
SUBJECT : Intelligence Priorities
1. At the meeting on 15 March of the PRC(I), we reviewed the
draft lists of long-term and current priority topics for intelligence
collection and production. After discussion, the Committee opted to
have individual members submit proposed amendments, additions, and
deletions with the hope that such changes could be resolved without
a further meeting.
2. The Department of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff, the
Department of State, the Department of Treasury, anal Ar~-S Cc 1{trV{ MII --d
Treasury, IJ Vl/V{
Disarmament Agency all proposed changes. Ihave incorporated znese
where possible, but not in every instance. The reason in most cases
for not accepting a proposed revision in its totality was the tendency
to increase the number of high priority items. I feel it is necessary
to keep a lid on this, and accordingly have not incorporated all rec-
ommendations for increasing priorities or for adding more high priority
questions. It seems to me that it is not only important to hold down
the total number of high priorities, but to'show a difference of empha-
sis within each category and between categories.
3. For the same reason, I have lowered several of the priorities
assigned to topics in the lists tabled at our meeting on 15 March.
Please note, however, that I have raised the priority of the Soviet
foreign policy item in the basic list from 2 to 1, on grounds that it
deserves as much attention as the military issues.
4. My consolidation of the amendments is attached. I am also
enclosing for certain addressees brief comments on suggested changes
that have not been incorporated.
Approved For Release 2006/11/13: CIA-RDP81BOP
 SECRET
Approved For Release 2006/11/13 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000170009-6
? SUBJECT: Intelligence Priorities
5. I request your concurrence to issue the attached lists as
guidance from the PRC(I) to the intelligence community. Once they
are issued, I will proceed as agreed at our last meeting to set in
motion a procedure to review the topics every four months and to
make an annual reassessment.
STANSFIELD TURNER
Attachments
cc: Secretary of Energy
0
40
Approved For Release 2006/1.'113 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000170009-6
 Approved For Release 2006/111'I F CIA-RDP81 B00401 R002000170MWHMENT
0
Comments on Changes Suggested by DoD/JCS
All but a few of the additions and adjustments proposed by DoD
and JCS have been incorporated in the revised lists. Eight of the
ten new items proposed by Defense have been included,, in one place
or another, as well as the suggested additions to existing items.
I have not, however, deleted five questions listed under developing
countries, as proposed by DoD/JCS, because of strong interest in
these requirements among other consumers.
More specific comments relating to the current interest list,
keyed to the numbering of the proposed text submitted by DoD, follow:
Advanced Countries
Item 7: Several of the questions in this proposed item
have been melded into Item 6. I believe the others are already
embraced in the substance of Item 6. We will make sure that these
more specific questions are covered when the NITs are translated by
the intelligence community into more precise and detailed requirements.
Item 4 Item 8: The substance of this question has been added to
.
USSR and Eastern Europe
Item 4: These issues seem to be encompassed by Items 3
(as amended and 4 on our new list.
Item 5: Added to our Item 3.
Item 7: The questions here again seem to be a subset of a
broader question already on the list, i.e., those dealing with strategy,
doctrine, capabilities, and intentions. In my view, the broad questions
should be elaborated in the more specific guidance developed by the
community, and we will ensure that they are so included.
In most cases, I have accepted DoD/JCS suggestions for changes in
priority. Where I did not it was mainly to hold down the total number
of high priorities. In the case of the item on NATO in the long-term
list, I believe a "3" is appropriate in view of the fact that much of
the information is obtainable from other than intelligence sources.
Approved For Release 2006/11/13 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000170009-6
SECRET
 Approved For Release 2006/11/13 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000170009-6
0
Approved For Release 2006/11/13 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000170009-6
 Approved For Release 2006/11/13 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000170009-6
is
co
C' O
t'J
N.~
Approved For Release 2006/11/13 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R002000170009-6