(Classified)THE WATCH COMMITTEE - NATIONAL INDICATIONS CENTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP93T01468R000100100051-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 26, 2000
• Sequence Number: 51
• Publication Date: March 20, 1962
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2001/09/04: CIA-RDP93T01468R000100100051-2
*ARMY Declass/Release Instructions On File*
ACSI-4C The Watch Committee - National Indications Center
ACS1 DA 24 March 1962
Lt Col Srir4on/77569
I. Description of agenda Item. The USIB will consider proposed replies concerning (a)
the recommendations of the Presldent's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board regarding "Advance
Intelligence Pining to the Berlin Wall and Syrian Coup Incidents" and (b) Mr. J. Patrick
Coyne Is memorandum concerning The Watch Committee -- National Indications Center" at Its
21 March meeting. hir. Coyne's memorandum Is attached at Tab "A".
25X1A9a 2. Background. Bur. Coyne's memorandum to the DCI was considered by a working group.
The working "s re Is attached as Tab ;,D". This report was used by General Fitch, t ~r.
Hillman end together with information obtained from Interviews with other people,
as a basis to prepare ft reply to Mr. Coyne.
General pitch's memorandum to the DCI, forwarding a proposed reply, Is attached at
Tab "B". The proposed reply to Mr. Coyne Is attached at Tab "C".
3. Discussion. The following briefing outline is suggested to present this problem to USIBS
as Point out that all USIB members are familiar with the proposed reply to the Coyne
memorandum since It was disseminated on or about 5 March. Comment on the length of the
proposed reply.
b. Cover the seven (7) points In Coyne memorandum.
(1) NIC functions more in nature of a staff of the Watch Committee than as
a type of entity normally looked upon as a warning center.
(2) The NMC is not tied directly to the US indications centers deployed
throughout the world.
(3) DIA-CIIC is tied directly to the various military indications centers
deployed throughout the world. Feasibility of abolishing the NIC and establishing the DIA-CIIC
as body for supporting the DCI, USIB and Watch Committee in the areas defined in OCIi3 1/5
should be explored.
(4) Some information required by the NMC has not been furnished in a timely
fashion because of the absence of direct channels and other Information was either not furnished
at all or was obtained by the NIL on an Informal, "unofficial" bosis.
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ACM-IC
SUBJECTt The Watch C mmittee - National Indications Center
(5) NIC has never been adequately stafieed, and has little or no capability at
hand for automatist or other technical process of Intelligence Inputs. NIC Is not organized to
operate In such a ,aver as to a that advance Indicators of hostile action will be received,
evaluated and sent to the policy -makers with the possible maximum speed.
(6) Watch Committee procedures should be modified to assure that the Watch
Reports reflect significant differ aces of view (reference Is made to the Berlin Wall and Syrian coup
incidents).
(7) An Indications center of national character should enjoy adequate priority
In the Intelligence community and should have adequate data processing facilities to ensure getting
full value from the Information which It collects.
Co Discuss manner In which Coyne nomorandum was handled.
(1) Three man working group composed of personnel from NSA, CIA and CIA
was appointed to examine the special problems presented by Mr. Coyne`s norandut,. (Report
attached at Tab "D ")
(2) Discuss actions of the ad hoc committee appointed by the DCI on the
problem. (Interviewed General Cabello General Carroll, General Guinn, etc.)
kI.fly disc conclusions of your committee (Tab n8").
(1) NIC properly organized and discharges Its functions In an effective
manner.
(six mom people).
of DIA-CIIC.
(3) NIC functions should net be transferred to or combined with the functions
(4) DIA-CIIC should not assume multiple agency functions. It must remain
completely responsive to DOD and JCS requirements.
(5) Change name of NI C to "National Warning Center" to more accurately
describe the mission of the NIC and avoid contusion possibly created In some mine by the
similarity In nwarne between the NIC and the CIIC.
(2) iMrginally manned and could use a seal I augmentation of personnel
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ACSI-IC
SUBJECT: The Watch Committee -- National Indications Center
(6) NIC should not assn ae the detailed analysis of possible Indicators now
performed by Defense, State, CIA and other intelligence agencies.
(7) NIC receives virtually all Information from the intelligence community
with the exception of certain closely held messages. Many of these messages should be released
to the NIC under the provisions of NSC 5 (Tab "E").
(8) More responsive (speedier) a rwnications are required between NIC and
CIA and NIC and State. Recommend that this matter be studied.
(9) NIC not remain contiguous to the CIIC. (Does not necessarily mean
must be "next door." NIC must be tied to the DIA $5O and message centers by pneumatic tube
in order to receive information at the some time It Is forwarded to the CIIC.)
e. State that the proposed reply to Mr. Coyne, although somewhat lengthy,
covers all of the points raised In the Coyne memorandum.
f. Pass out draft copies of the proposed reply and ask for comments and/or
recommended changes.
4. Points of issue. There are no known points of Issue. Howerver, CIA may propose the
addition of a paragraph to the effect that decision makers should recognize that the Intelligence
community must continue to make warning judgments based on loss than full proof and less than
complete Information. Such judgments may be limited to a conclusion that the Soviets are taking
actions which, among other possibilities, could mean that they Intended to initiate hostilities.
CHARLES E. JOHNSON
Brigadier General, GS
Director of Foreign Intelligence
?3 teach
1. Tab A ,. Coyne Memorandum
2. Tab B -- Mernwancsm to DCI
3. Tab C - Proposed ileply to Mr. Coyne
4. Tab D - Letter to General Fitch
5. Tab E - DCID 1/5
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ACSt-IC
SUL ACT: The Watch Committee -- National Indications Center
lncis ltd
6. Tab F - DIA-CUUC Terms of Reference
7. Tab G - Extract NSC 3438
6. Tab H - Working Grwp Terms of Refase