MINUTES OF THE CLANDESTINE SERVICE HISTORICAL BOARD MEETING, 31 AUGUST 1971, 1000 TO 1200 HOURS, ROOM 2E-49 HQS.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00764R000400020047-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 22, 2004
• Sequence Number: 47
• Publication Date: September 8, 1971
• Content Type: MFR

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S E T
8 September 1971
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Clandestine Service Historical
Board Meeting, 31 August 1971, 1000 to 1200
hours, Room 2E-49 Hqs.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr i11'P~ Cunningham Chairman
Mr. . I., Member
Mr. I Iry
Prof. Howard M. Ehrmann, C/CIA/HS, Guest
Dr. DC/CIA/HS, Guest
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1. Mr. Cunningham stated that there were three
matters to be taken up during the meeting: (a) a draft
security instruction for the CIA historical program which
has been submitted by C/CIA/IS to Colonel White for
approval, (b) the status and progress of the CS historical
program and (c) the nature of the ongoing program.
2. There was discussion as to what point in its
preparation a paper should be subjected to the security
controls prescribed in the security instruction. It was
generally agreed that a paper should be entered on the
inventory when an initial draft has been completed and
should thenceforth be subject to the same controls as
the published paper.
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3. Prof. Ehrmann pointed out that in some
instances the components might wish to retain draft
copies of histories, in addition to their published
copies. This would be permitted under the new instruc-
tion, so long as they are registered, controlled and
accounted for along with the published copies.
4. Mr. Cunningham expressed concern about wider
readership and utilization of published papers and felt
that there may have been an over-emphasis on limiting
and controlling access. He cited the Director's desire
for increased readership of papers describing our more
notable programs and accomplishments. In fact the Director
specifically authorized the preparation of an article on
the heretofore very sensitive Program for publi- 25X1A2G
cation in Studies in Intelligence. Prof. Ehrmann stated
that papers should be readily available to persons with
legitimate interest in them. He noted that controls are
intended to record and not to discourage access.
--" "" -" 5. Mr. I l questioned the desirability of
centralizing records, as reflected in the security instruc-
tion. It is contrary to general CS practice. Prof. Ehrmann
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emphasized that centralization occurs only with C/CIA/HS
and his Deputy. At subordinate echelons the program
is strictly compartmented by directorate. Mr.
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cited
a visceral and instinctive reluctance on the part of
some CS case officers to record some of the more sensitive
aspects of their operations - even leading in some
instances to their avoiding normal channels of communication
to report operational developments. The CS Historical
Board had sought to create a climate encouraging case
officers to prepare candid histories. The attitudes
noted above, however, tend to inhibit case officers from
providing sensitive information for historical studies,
particularly for a program that is centrally managed out-
side the CS.
6. Mr. Cunningham also commented on prevalent and
sometimes excessive security inhibitions among some elements
of the CS. He noted instances of reluctance of some CS
officers to reveal details of operations in their lectures
to OTR audiences, with the result that their presentations
were flat and uninformative. The DDP has given his
support to having open and detailed discussions in OTR
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25X125X1 C2D
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lectures, within the limits of operational security.
Mr. Cunningham also noted that a full expose of the
-1 "network" and its penetration and control by the
the event and had been very useful for training purposes.
been presented in OTR not long after
Also, discussion of the
operation was consider- 25X1
ably enhanced by a review by of the DDI
of the significance of the information it produced and
its effect on national policy.
7. Mr. Cunningham pointed out that leaks of
information could occur either before or after the drafts
are subject to control procedures, which might inhibit
but would not prevent unauthorized readership. He stated
that a centralized record of the readership of CS histories
to be maintained by the CIA/HS was not desirable and would
not be favored by the CS. Each component in the CS would
maintain its own records of readership which would be
available should the need to consult them arise. Otherwise,
no objections were raised to the draft security instruction.
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8. Mr. r summarized the status of the CS
historical program. He pointed out that some components,
particularly those with small programs, have completed or
will complete the catch-up phase by the end of the year.
SB is doing well; NE, however, very little. He estimated
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that about 100 of the papers would not be published by
the end of the year. Prof. Ehrmann expressed surprise
at this figure, noting that the July estimate was only 0D
and that this indicated that the CS program was slowing
down rather than speeding up. Mr.
reported that 25X1A9A
total manpower was about the same but that there had been
some slippage due to reassignment of writers and previous
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overly optimistic estimates of progress. The 25X1
Station history, he noted, would apparently not be com-
pleted before the end of the year and I contract 25X1
is not being renewed after November. Mr. Cunningham
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requested Mr. ~o prepare a detailed written estimate
concerning the progress of the catch-up phase.
9. Prof. Ehrmann stated that writers of overall
Agency histories would draw on CS histories as sources.
This being one of the purposes for the preparation of
directorate histories.
10. Concerning plans for the EUR Division program
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after 31 December, Mr. II said that it will probably
continue but that the Division Chief wished to keep some
options open for the present. Uncertainties still exist
concerning manpower, availability of annuitants, the DDP's
views, etc. Prof. Ehrmann stressed that the divisions
have no choice but to continue the program.
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11. In discussing the "on-going" program, Mr.
Cunningham commented on the recent
and the grade de-escalation program. These developments
would further reduce the ability of the DDP to assign
competent staff employees to the historical program.
The staffing problem would have to be~handled differently.
There should be no part-time writers. A smaller group
of full-time writers should be assembled whose competence
is known. For the most part they should be annuitants
on contract. There should, with a very few exceptions,
be no further station histories written. More emphasis
should be placed on histories which cut across area and
on occasion, directorate lines. Logistics and Communications
have written some very detailed and sensitive histories
which of necessity incorporate details of CS operations.
These histories, however, of necessity reflect primarily
the role of the particular component. The NPIC history
of the Cuban missile crisis is another example of this.
Consideration should be given to designating a senior
historian to prepare a history such as the Agency role
in the missile crisis. He could have assistants from the
various components concerned who would conduct research
and write up material from their own directorates.
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12. Mr. Cunningham expressed reservations concerning
the usefulness of station histories and felt that they
receive too much emphasis in the current program. He cited
the view of one prominent station chief that events at
his station 20 or so years ago had little relevance to his
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current problems and operations. Mr. expressed the
view that the station chief was mistaken in his judgment.
Station problems, personalities and programs, even those
going back some years, invariably have a bearing on the
present and future. He felt that station histories are
of value to current division and station management. Reviews
of liaison relationships are particularly useful.
13. Mr. Cunningham has had several of his unit chiefs
in OTR prepare lists of what they consider to be useful
subjects for Agency history. They were turned over to
Prof. Ehrmann fQ X ev w and return.
is to formulate recommendations
concerning the "on-going" CS historical program - i.e. after
31 December 1971. Included among these recommendations
would be what portions of the uncompleted current program
should be continued and what new programs should be under-
taken, with some indication of precedence and riorit .
25X1 A9Av
Executive Secretary
CS Historical Board
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