POINTS FOR DISCUSSION IN RESPONSE TO DDCI CONVERSATION OF 11 AUGUST.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP98S00099R000400760007-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 21, 2012
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: August 12, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP98S00099R000400760007-6
12 August 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR: SRP Colleagues
SUBJECT: Points tor Discussion in Response to DDCI Conversation
of 11 August.
STAT
1. The Panel will be glad to explore the proposed new function
of retrospective evaluations of intelligence products and performance
at the Community level, but feels it desirable that the exploration
be qualified by two understandings:
a. That in its, initial phase the exploration be experi-
mental, including the modus operandi, staffing requirements
and possible sources of staff assistance, and whether subsequent
phases should be undertaken by the Panel itself or by some
alternative arrangement which the Panel would assist in defining;,ar
b. That this new function not interfere with the Panel's
primary task of contributing to the quality and usefulness of
ongoing major estimates and assessments by participating at
critical stages in the production stream.
2. Can it be confirmed that, while the function has been
listed as one of the new tasks for the "Intelligence Community,"
the Panel would not become part of the I.C. Staff, but would be
acting on behalf of the DCI, DDCI, and DD/NFA? In any event, the
explicit backing of the DCI and DDCI would be needed to secure the
cooperation of all components of the Community.
3. The Panel suggests that one or two specific projects be
identified for experimentation during the rest of calendar 1981,
with scope and needed investment of time more modest than the project
on the The recently started project on thiSTAT
STAT
might be regarded as the first such case. If so,
the second should have more of a politico-economic-strategic character,
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP98S00099R000400760007-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP98S00099R000400760007-6
rather than being mainly sciefitific and technical.[Do we have candidates'
4. If the DDCI concurs, it would be helpful to have him reaffirm
the primacy of the Panel's established function of review and con-
structive criticism of major estimates and assessments at the
formative and late draft stages. Because of the separation of NIC
from NFAC and changes in personnel and procedures, this function
needs reinvigoration and regularization. The DDCI might want to
make known his concurrence to Messrs. McMahon and Rowen (perhaps in
one of their weekly meetings), suggesting to them that they work out
procedural details jointly with the Panel itself.
5. For administrative purposes, the Panel could continue to
be a part of NFAC (or it could be shifted to the office of the
DCI/DDCI). To the extent that time may be available beyond the two
principal functions referred to above, the Panel as a group, or its
Members as individuals, should be available for ad hoc assignments
from DCI, DDCI, D/NFAC, or C/NIC.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP98S00099R000400760007-6