BUREAU OF THE BUDGET REDUCTION IN THE COT PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00780R001500070002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 12, 2003
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: December 5, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2 q : ?l*-l DP8i4-0*8teR00150
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Missions and Programs Staff,
DD/ P
SUBJECT: Bureau of the Budget Reduction in the
COT Program
1. Thank you for your memo of 2 December on this subject.
As you are aware, the Bureau of the Budget authorized an increase
of 50 positions as against the 105 requested for expansion of the
COT program, and provided funds for these positions in their
original budget mark. The BOB cut $487, 500 of COT funds with
the explanation that in a lean year language training should be
scheduled within existing training priorities rather than stretching
the COT training period at the salary costs requested. The Bureau
also raised the question which the DGI himself raised when authorizing
us to budget for the longer cycle, I. e. there must be alternatives
for getting language training for DD/ P COT groups without building
up our in-house training costs beyond those now existing.
2. During the review of the budget, the Director asked Gel.
White to re-examine the need and the DD/S was advised that, while
the Director approved the budgeting for salary costs for COT language
study in FY 1968, he had not specifically approved the expansion of the
COT program or the proposed language extension approach. In turn,
the Executive Director, in his earlier approval of the language program
for FY 68, had placed the caveat "subject to available funds. " If
the BOB mark stands, it may, unfortunately, be necessary for him
to exercise that option.
3. As you are aware, these matters are integral to the entire
issue of age hump, long range planning, etc., as well as the immediate
appeal issues. Indeed, it may be more practical to use some of the
funds provided for the 50 position expansion of the COT program in
FY 68 to accommodate some part of the language requirement. This
is particularly true if we are unable to recruit the COTs for these
added positions, and 1 understand there may be difficulties in doing so.
There will be options of this kind open to us, and DD/P along with
OTR may wish to examine the practicality of this alternative.
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4. In regard to paragraph 3 of your memo, unless the Bureau
restores the funds, the language approach to which your memo addresses
itself will have to be considered in a reprogramming context or dropped.
5. Let me assure you that Colonel White and I have marshaled
all the arguments for appeal. Thank you for your help. How the BOB
acts under the hard directions given by the President on the budget
remains to be seen. I hope it is in our favor; we'll do our best.
Sl IATD/S
John M. Clarke
Director of Planning,
Programming and Budgeting
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