LETTER TO THE HONORABLE ROBERT F. ELLSWORTH FROM GEORGE BUSH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00171R001100010010-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 15, 2003
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: October 4, 1976
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For(Release 2004/01/20 :.CIA-RDP83M0017.1R001100010010-4
THE -DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
The Honorable Robert F. Ellsworth
Deputy Secretary of Defense
Washington, D.C. 20301
4 OCT 1976
IC 76-2386
Thanks for your letter of 30 August relating your
concern about the Community's analysis of military expend-
iture data, as you say, "across the board." I share your
concern and I recognize that we have a continuing need to
focus effort on this area of intelligence analysis.
You may not, however, be full), aware of the actions
that have been taken since we last discussed this subject:
We have expanded the membership of the Military
Economic Advisor v Panel MEAD
an have made the panel responsible directly o
me.
CIA has published new studies on the dollar
and ruble costs of Soviet military programs
since 1970, incorporating a significant amount
of new information and analysis.
-- We have increased the analytic effort within
CIA on the military expenditures problem, and
have taken steps for further increases in our
work on defense economics in FY 77 and FY 78.
It takes time, of course, for such investments
to pay off.
The MEAP has disseminated a report on enhancing
Community efforts on Soviet R&D activities with
particular emphasis on resource implications.
This study took into account the views of a
number of Defense components, Andy Marshall, and
outside contractors. We are now following up
on the MEAP report with the creation of a task
force charged to develop a coordinated, Community-
wide research program.
25
Approved For Release 2004/01/20 :'CIA-RDP83M001 71 R001 100010010-4
 Approved For1Release 2004/01/20 : CIA-RDP83MOOl71 R001100010010-4
-- My NIO for Economics is cooperating with Andy
Marshall in an exploratory effort to develop
the kind of new institutional. framework that
will permit a larger external (academic) research
contribution to be made to our defense economics
problems. I know this effort is of considerable
personal interest to you.
As I see the situation, we have done a great deal in
the past several months to come to grips with the defense
? economics problem. I believe we are now moving in the
right direction, with appropriate priority.
The IC Staff`is presently reviewing user satisfaction
with economic reporting as a part of the semiannual NSC
review called for in Executive Order 11905. I think?this
.sort of review is appropriate and in the normal course of
things will ferret out consumer dissatisfaction and guidance
on priority issues. I would not want to disrupt this
program of regular review with the special review you
suggest at this time. I expect that the IC Staff will
stimulate actions to improve Community performance, either
STATINT on its own initiative or as a result of its periodic review
oaf performance in certain areas. I have been assured by
that such actions will be undertaken as they ap-
pear needed and appropriate.
Lastly, Bob, I would like to add a comment on your
recommendation that the CFI initiate review actions over
the broad range of defense economics topics. I do not
believe that matters of this type should come under the
CFI in any direct way. They are more properly the responsi-
bility of the DCI and the components directly responsible
to him in the production of national intelligence. At your
convenience we might discuss this point further.
Sincerely,
SiGA
George Bush
Approved For Release 2004/01/20 : CIA-RDP83MOOl71 R001100010010-4
 Approved Fori I elease 2004/01/20 : CIA-RDP83MOOl71 R001100010010-4
4TINTL
TINTL
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee
1 - DCI
1 - ER
1 - D/DCI/IC
1 - EO/IC and AD DCI IC
1 - SA/D/DCI/IC
1 - SA/D/DCI/IC
1 - D/OPEI
1 - D/OPP
1 - D/OPBD
1 - C/OPEI/IS
1 - C/OPEI/ID
1 - C/OPEI/SD
1 - C/OPEI/HRD
1 - C/OPEI/PAID
1 - IC Registry
1 - C/PAID
1 - PAID Chrono
1 - PAID Subject
1 - JJM Chrono
1 - NIO/Economics
1 - D/OSR
Approved For Release 2004/01/20 : CIA-RDP83MOOl71 R001100010010-4