GENERAL ROGERS' CABLE ON US-NATO: CONTROVERSY OVER MILITARY STRATEGY ARTICLE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R001800280009-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2007
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: December 8, 1982
• Content Type: MEMO

pproved For Release 2007/04/30: CIA-RD
SECRET
8 December 1982
ME'ORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence.
VIA Deputy Director for Intelligence
FROM :
Director of European Analysis
SUBJECT : General Rogers' cable on US-NATO: Controversy
Over Military Strategy article
1. The article in question documents signs of uneasiness in
Western Europe over recent months regarding widely publicized
proposals to enhance NATO's conventional defenses. The article
attributes this uneasiness to misinformed press speculation
which, by linking recent statements of General Rogers to earlier
reported changes in US Army doctrine, implies a US advocacy of a
change in NATO strategy. The article also identifies several
areas of sensitivity among the Allies with regard to questions of
strategy and force modernization. The Allies, in addition to
reiterating longstanding concern about the high costs of a
conventional buildup, have been stressing in particular that a
"conventional emphasis" in NATO at the present time could make it
difficult to maintain public and parliamentary support for INF
modernization.
2. We strongly disagree with the allegation that the.
analysis is slanted and uninformed. The author, an experienced
military analyst, has drawn on a wide variety of classified .
material, including Department of Defense and Department of State
reporting, as well as press commentary throughout Western Europe
and in the US. In our view, the statements in the article are
factually based and fully sourced; the developments it covers are.
accurately described.
3. General Rogers has not identified any specific
substantive disagreement with the article, but he may believe
that it overplays West European sensitivities to future public
discussions of NATO strategy. It should be noted that General
Rogers has been made increasingly aware in recent months of
European officials' concern about the fallout from his public
advocacy of an improved conventional defense posture. At one
recent meeting, for example, NATO permanent representatives
(ambassadors) told him politely but firmly that his public
statements were not helpful.