MINUTES OF MEETING HELD IN DIRECTOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM ADMINISTRATION BUILDING CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, ON 29 JANUARY 1954

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000400150008-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 25, 2000
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: January 29, 1954
• Content Type: MIN

Approved For Release001/03/0OP'tJ'sblIF01172R 6460008-5
AHIC(w)-Mil
2.9 ' January 1954
AD HOG IAC COMMITTEE (WATCH)
Minutes of Meeting Held in Direotor1s-
Conference Room, Administration Building
Central Intelligence Agency, on 29 January 1954
Mr. Huntington D. Sheldon
Presiding
Mr. William C. Trueheart, Office of the Special Assistant,
Intelligence, Department of State
Brigadier General John M. Willems,'Deputy AC of S, Cl-?,
Department of the Army
Captain D. T. Eller (USN), Assistant Head, Intelligence
Branch, ONI,.Department of the Navy
Brigadier General Millard Lewis, Deputy Director Intelli-
gence, Headquarters USAF; United States Air Force
Dr. Charles H. Reichardt, Intelligence Division, Atomic
Energy Commission
Colonel Neil M. Wallace, Joint Intelligence Group, The
Joint Staff (Substitute for-Rear Admiral E. T. Layton)
Mr. Meffert W. Kuhrtz, Special Agent, Liaison Section,
Federal Bureau of Investigation
ALSO PRESENT
Lt. Col. James P. Barry, Department of the Army
Cdr. Robert B. Kail, Department of the Navy
Cola George R. Hundt, United States Air Force
Col. Howard D. Kenzie, United States Air Force
Mr. Samuel S. Rockwell, United States Air Force
25X1A
Secretary
Document No. -~.~----- - - ----- ----
No Change in Class.
O Declassified
Class. Changed to: TS S C
Next Review Date: 9_______
Auth.: HR 70-3
Date: ----- By: -L=9_19W
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP91 T01 172R000400150008-5
 Approved For Relb a 200MED IRPP91 T01 ? 2R000400150008-5
AHTC(W)-M-11
29 January 1954
The CHAIRMAN called for comments on the minutes of the tenth meeting
as distributed.
CAPTAIN EUER asked that the next to last line of his statement appear-
ing on page 3 be changed to read ttthat.there had been times when certain in-
telligence items having operational aspects had not been presented."
The CHAIRMAN, on receiving no further comments, said that the minutes
stood approved as distributed and amended.
The SECRETARY circulated copies of CIA's proposals for paragraphs to be
included in the list of duties of the Working Group and/or Watch Committee.
The CHAIRMAN referred to the list of duties proposed by G-2, and stated
that CIA was prepared to approve the G-2 paragraph dealing with the selection
of indications provided the concept expressed in CIA's proposal for Paragraph
h was approved by the Ad Hoc Committee. It read:
"prepare material for use by the Watch Committee as the basis
for its deliberations and the formulation of its conclusions."
DR. REICHARDT pointed out that the paragraph gave leeway to the iridividual
Watch Committee members.
COLONEL WX LACE stated that in practice members of the present Watch Com-
mittee never felt restricted because of a printed agenda.
LT. COIFS=NEL BARRY (temporarily sitting for General Willems) said that he
favored the statement in that it avoided specifying exact mechanics and left
the detailed decision to the Watch Committee as to the manner in which things
were done. At the same time, the paragraph provided for flexibility in staff
operation.
CAPTAIN ELLER said that he had not been willing to have the Working Group
predraft the Watch Committee report and conclusions. He suggested that the
words "as a basis for" be changed to "to assist in" as this would show clearly
that there was no intent that the Watch report and conclusions were to be writ-
ten preliminarily.
The CHAIRMAN determined that this change was acceptable to the Committee,
and stated that the paragraph as tentatively approved reads:
"prepare material for use by the Watch Committee to assist in
its deliberations and the formulation of its conclusions."
AHIC(W)-M-11
29 January 1954
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP91T01172R000400150008-5
 Approved For RelbaSe 2001~Mlf)R, ' IKP91 T01 t R000400150008-5
AHIC (w)-M-11
29 January 1954
He asked if there were any comments on Paragraph g which read:
"coordinate with the individual members of the Watch Committee
the selection of indications for consideration by the Committee
in regular and special meetings."
He determined that this was tentatively approved by the Committee as
presented.
He asked for comments on Paragraph i which read:
"coordinate the reproduction and distribution of the Watch
Committee reports in final form."
He recommended that the paragraph be tightened up by being changed to
"coordinate the reproduction and dissemination of approved
Watch Committee reports."
This was tentatively approved by the Committee.
He asked for comments on the CIA, proposal for Paragraph j. This para-
graph read:
"concurrently, but not as a substitute for current methods of
analysis and evaluation, to develop experimentally and test
mechanical aids and techniques with a view eventually to assist
in accomplishing the Watch Committee mission."
GENERAL WILLEMS said that the Watch Committee should have the advantage
of modern developments, yet should not be bound to adopt devices regardless
of their usefulness just for the sake of having them.
DR. REICHARDT pointed out that if something is developed experimentally,
testing is included as a matter of course.
COLONEL WALLACE suggested that the wording be changed to,. %..develop
and test mechanical aids and techniques on an experimental ba:~is..."
CAPTAIN ELLER pointed out that the Watch Committee should not enter the
experiment and research field, and by so doing divert its attention from its
primary mission.
AHIC(W)-M-ll
29 January 1954
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP91T01172R000400150008-5
 Approved For Relbote 2001&~9,71~ - P91 T01 1R000400150008-5
AHIC(w)-M-11
29 January 1954
The CHAIRMAN determined, after further discussion by the Committee, that
the paragraph was tentatively approved to read:
"concurrently, but not as a substitute for current methods of
analysis and evaluation, develop and test mechanical aids and
techniques on an experimental basis with a view to their even-
tual use in assisting effectively the Watch Committee in the
accomplishment of its mission."
The CHAIRMAN asked for comments on the G-2 proposed Paragraph k which
"prepare plans for submission to the Watch Committee for systema-
tizing, energizing, and coordinating the world-wide collection
by US agencies of indications of Soviet-Communist preparations
for attack.
He proposed that the paragraph be changed to read:
"develop and operate on a current and continuing basis the
Watch Committee Intelligence 'Plan for systematizing, ener-
gizing and coordinating the world-wide collection by US
agencies of intelligence pertinent to the Watch Committee
mission. tt
GENERAL WILLEMS suggested that the Chairman's recommendation be changed
to reads tt...of indications intelligence pertinent to..."
CAPTAIN ELLER suggested that as neither the Watch Committee nor the
Working Group should be involved in the actual mechanics of collection, that
the words "through proper channels" be inserted after the word "coordinating".
GENERALWILLEMS thought that "appropriate channels" might be better in
that it would not tie the hands of the Committee in an emergency.
COLONEL WALLACE asked if the development of the hatch Committee Intelli-
gence Plan was a function of the Watch Committee itself or was one of the
duties of the Ad Hoc Committee.
The CHAIRMAN stated that it was not his view that the Ad Hoc Committee
should write the Intelligence Plan. That, he said, was a duty of the Watch
Committee, the Ad Hoc Committee being charged with pointing out to the Watch
Committee that a plan, among other things, was required. He said that he
had proposed the change in the paragraph under discussion as he felt that at
some point it may be advisable for the staff to make recommendations to the
Watch Committee that things be done, although it should be made clear that
the Watch Committee makes its own decisions on the manner in which the Center
is operated.
-3-
AHIC (W)-M-11
29 January 1954
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP91T01172R000400150008-5
 Approved For Rel a 2001 9 -
D 'L P91 T01 i' R000400150008-5
AHIC(w)-M 11
29 January 1954
He determined that it was the sense of the meeting that the paragraph
would become Paragraph a, and subject to later review, would read:
"develop and operate on a current and continuing basis the Watch
Committee Intelligence Plan for systematizing, energizing, and
coordinating through appropriate channels the world-wide col-
lection by US agencies of indications intelligence pertinent to
the Watch Committee mission."
DR. REICHARDT recalled that at the tenth meeting it had been decided
to complete the list of duties after which the Ad Hoc Committee would review
them all to determine which were properly the responsibility of the Watch
Committee and which of the Working Group. He said that he thought that the
paragraph under discussion was actually a responsibility of the Watch Com-
mittee itself.
GENERAL WILLEMS pointed out that it was extremely difficult to differen-
tiate between the duties of the Watch Committee and those of the Working
Group as long as the two bodies are to work very closely together.
The CHAIRMAN instructed the Secretary to prepare a clean draft of the
tentatively approved duties so that they might be reviewed at the next meet-
ing of the Ad Hoc Committee.
He referred to CIA's "Proposed Draft Terms of Reference, IAC Watch Com-
mittee," dated 20 October 1953, and suggested that the Ad Hoc Committee ad-
dress itself to the composition, membership, and location of the Watch Committee
and the Working Group.
MR. TRUEHEART thought that the Ad Hoc Committee should consider first the
location of the Indications Center as propinquity might have a bearing on the
selection of a Chairman for the Watch Committee itself.
The CHAIRMAN proposed that the Indications Center be located in the Penta-
gon Building.
COLONEL WALLACE recalled that Paragraph 13 of the JIG proposal submitted
to the Ad Hoc Committee at its first meeting on 30 October had recommended
CIA as the proper location for an Indications Center.
The CHAIRMAN said that this was not acceptable to CIA.
CAPTAIN ELLER asked if there would be any advantage in having the Center
close to the meeting place of the IAC.
- 4 -
AHIC (W) -M-11
29 January 1954
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP91T01172R000400150008-5
 Approved For Relb fie 20018:/9,7ID -QP91 T011 2R000400150008-5
AHIC (W)-M,-ll
29 January 1954
The CHAIRMAN replied that he saw no advantage therein, and pointed out
that in critical periods the IAC itself might wish to meet in the Indica-
tions Center. He determined that it was the sense of the meeting that the
Indications Center should be located in the Pentagon Building.
He quoted from the CIA 20 October proposal which stated that the Watch
Committee should have - tta Chairman, to be appointed by the IAC for a speci-
fied period... tt, and said that in recognition of the fact that the Watch Com-
mittee must have maximum support from all IAC agencies, one of the best de-
vices for ensuring such support was by having the Chairman rotate from time
to time.
DR. REICHARDT said that he thought it would be unrealistic for the AEC
to provide a Chairman.
MR. KUHRTZ said that he favored leaving the matter open so that the IAC
could select the most appropriate Chairman in light of world conditions, and
said that he could visualize world developments that might make an AEC repre-
sentative the most appropriate Chairman.
GENERAL WILLEMS questioned the desirability of requiring rotation as
there might be instances when the IAC wished to appoint a particularly com-
petent individual.
The CHAIRMAN spoke in favor of a stated rotation concept, and said that
he felt that as the watch problem was primarily military, the Chairman nor-
mally should be drawn from the three Service agencies and the Joint Staff.
MR. TRUEHEART said that he thought the IAC should be free to decide on
a Chairman on an ad hoc basis.
The CHAIRMAN Pointed out that the CIA proposal left the matter open as
to the method of selection of a Chairman as well as to the period for which
he would serve.
CAPTAIN ELLER asked if it would be desirable to recommend a minimum and
maximum assignment, and suggested not less than one year nor more than three
years.
GENERAL WILLENbS said that to so specify would be legislating the IAC.
The CHAIRMAN, after further discussion by the Ad Hoc Committee, de-
termined that the proposal tta Chairman, to be appointed by the IAC for a
specified period" was tentatively approved.
-5-
AHIC(w) M-11
29 January 1954
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP91T01172R000400150008-5
 Approved For Relb&te 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP91 T01 1R000400150008-5
CONFIDENTIAL
AHIC(W)-M-11
29 January 1951
He recalled that the discussion at the tenth meeting regarding the sta-
ture of individual Watch Committee members had been inconclusive.
GENERAL LE~~TIS outlined to the Committee his concept of the relationship
between the Watch Committee and its Working Group on the one hand and the
entire Intelligence effort on the other. He said that he visualized a con-
siderable differential between representation in the Center and representation
on the Watch Committee. He put this in various terms, including rank, ex-
perience, and the structure of each agency's organization. He pointed out
that each agency representative in the Center is isolated to the sole problem
of indications, whereas, in his opinion, each agency's Watch Committee member
should be able to see intelligence on a broader scope. He said that without
this differential, the Watch Committee members would be no better informed
than the Working Group members, with consequent loss to the entire watch effort.
He pointed out that General Willems, the present Watch Committee Chairman,
as Deputy AC of S, G-2, is informed on the broad picture, and therefore would
not react to an individual item which seen in the context of over-all intelli-
gence was of no consequence.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that the Committee members consider General Lewis'
remarks and be prepared to discuss them at the next meeting.
He said that he presumed all TAC agencies would participate in the Watch
Committee, and asked the Ad Hoc Committee members if any of their agencies felt
that they should not be represented on the Watch Committee. On receiving no
comments, he stated that the Watch Committee should then be composed of repre-
sentatives from all IAC organizations, and asked if it was the Committee's con-
cept that the agency supplying the Chairman would supply a member in addition.
DR. REICHARDT outlined the composition and method of operation of the IAC.
CAPTAIN ELLER said that it was desirable that the Chairman be the most
senior member.
GENERAL WILLEMS cautioned against any wording that would result in the
IAC selecting an agency's representative when naming a Chairman.
GENERAL LEWIS offered to submit a new draft dealing with composition and
membership for consideration at the next Ad Hoc Committee meeting.
The CHAIRMAN accepted this offer for the Committee.
He asked for comments on the rate of progress being made by the Ad Hoc
Committee, and recalled the decision made at the first meeting to the effect
that the Committee should not consider itself under heavy time pressure and
- 6 -
AHIC (W)-M-11
29 January 1954
Approved For Release 2001/G9b1YI &91T01172R000400150008-5
 Approved For Relber~e 200i JD i IPARP91 T01 MR000400150008-5
AHIC(W)-M-11
29 January 1954
should, therefore, move forward with deliberation and caution. It was the
sense of the meeting that satisfactory progress was being made and that the
Committee should continue as it was going.
MR. TRUEHEART recalled the concept of a world-wide indications system.
GENERAL LEWIS said that he had given considerable thought to this prob-
lem and at the appropriate time would recommend that representatives from all
theaters be brought to Washington for discussions with the Ad Hoc Committee.
He said that he felt that it was absolutely vital that individuals in the
theaters be geared into the Washington mechanism and that he knew of no ser-
vice that the Ad Hoc Committee could perform that would be as mutually bene-
ficial.
CAPTAIN ELLER asked if this was a duty of the Ad Hoc Committee, or some-
thing the Ad Hoc Committee should recommend be done by others.
GENIAL LEWIS felt this should be done by the Ad Hoc Committee so as not
to lose the impetus that exists in the Committee nor the knowledge and ex-
perience that has developed through Committee deliberations. His only ex-
ception was if someone could be found who could do it better.
The CHAIRMAN agreed that the development of a world-wide concept was a
responsibility of the Ad Hoc Committee.
CAPTAIN ELLER stated that he would like to submit an alternate version
of a Preamble for the Terms of Reference.
The SECRETARY distributed to each member a copy of Navyts "Suggested
Version of Preamble for Watch Committee Terms of Reference."
The CHAIRMAN proposed that the Navy suggestion be taken up at the next
Ad Hoc Committee meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meet-
ing adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
AHIC (W) -M-11
29 January 1954
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP91T01172R000400150008-5