MECA - CURRENT HOME OFFICE PLANNING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00499R000800010007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 6, 2012
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: January 1, 2000
• Content Type: DISP

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/06: CIA-RDP84-00499R000800010007-1
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MECA - Current Home Office Planning
1. In view of the over-increasing world tension and in an
endeavor to insure the availability of rapid, reliable and
secure communications facilities at those locations in the Middle
East where they may be desirable, certain steps may be required
i
on
to augment existing MECA facilities. Favorable considerat
is now being given to proposals calling for the possible
establishment of radio facilities at the following locations in
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i
ons,
the form of new MECA Net stat
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emergency facilities or
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combination of several of the above -types of communications:
Chief MECA
Attn:
Chief, Communications Division
Emergency signal 25X1
plan, MECA Net procedures,
agent equipment. Operator on
indefinite TDY until further
notice.
Same as for I 25X1
Emergency signal plan, MECA Net 25X1
procedures, equipment. 25X1
Operator to be assigned and held
in standby status as to
activate communications facilities
when conditions indicate it is
communications service
MECA Net Control Stati
required.
Possible increase of station
complement to provide 24-hour
5 additional men
may be required. (This will be
the subject of separate correspondence.)
Open new MECA
Re-open the MECA
Re-open the MECA
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/06: CIA-RDP84-00499R000800010007-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/06: CIA-RDP84-00499R000800010007-1
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2. Certain of the above proposals may have already been
approved and implemented on cabled authority prior to the receipt
of this dispatch. The remainder, however, are subject to
considerable Home Office study and discussion before any concrete
action will take place. The purpose of this dispatch is only to
acquaint you with the current Home Office planning in regard to
MECA in order that you may be forewarned and may properly evaluate
MECA's capabilities in terms of equipments and personnel. The
entire subject of emergency communications planning throughout
the world is currently a major topic of Home Office discussion
and review. When definite decisions have been reached with
regard to types of signal plans to be used, areas to be served,
and the communications networks necessary to cover these areas,
you will be advised in order that you may accurately arrange
the details of emergency communications planning as applicable
to MECA.
conditions obtain which make evacuation of various portion
3. As stated previously,) is currently being prepare?"
with equipment and signal plans in order that it might serve as
a backup station, for emergency purposes, for 25X1
No personnel are to be provided at this time. Should 25X1
the Middle East advisable, personnel will be provided
Evacuated operators from within the MECA area will augment
the Western Mediterranean area.
major base station can be erected at some selected location in
serve as an interim backup station only until such time as a
wherever possible. It is anticipated that) will 25X1
lines to be established between
4. In addition to the proposed major radio-teletype trunk
it is highly desirable that a direct circuit be established between
with a view toward a large-scale expansion of its facilities.
One of the major reasons for this expansion is the anticipated
high-volume of traffic to be handled between MECA and interested
U.S. Government Agencies.
and the Home Office. is currently being surveye25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/06: CIA-RDP84-00499R000800010007-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/06: CIA-RDP84-00499R000800010007-1
5. As can be seen from the above, MECA is fast outgrowing
its infancy and is soon to become a major communications
activity, surpassing any other communications network in the
area, items of physical size, traffic volume and efficiency of
service. Accordingly, some revisions of MECA may be appropriate.
Your interpretation of the personnel and equipment requirements 25X1
to meet such an augmented program in MECA, as outlined above,
will be of great assistance to the Home Office in its efforts to
provide proper support for MECA. The fact that
is currently on home leave places the burden of implementing
any approved expansion program directly on your shoulders. He
will, however, be of great value here in coordinating Field and
Home office viewpoints.
6. You are requested to carefully study the proposals
listed above and endeavor to determine what additional personnel
and/or equipment may be required in order that immediate action
may be initiated to insure their procurement and delivery to
MECA.
ORIG: OPS/HMS/WOE
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/06: CIA-RDP84-00499R000800010007-1