VIETNAM SPECIAL STUDIES GROUP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 15, 2011
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 16, 1969
• Content Type: MEMO

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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/15 : LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9
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NATIONAL. SEGURITY CQL7NCIL
wASH~NO-roN, o.c. zasas
.September l b, 19b9
National Security Decision Memorandum Z3
The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Vietnam Special Studies Group
NSS review
completed.
in order to more systematically assess the facts upon which Vietnam.
policy decisions should be based, the Pxesident has directed the
formation of a Vietnarn Special Studies Group.
This group will:
- sponsor and direct on a continuous basis systematic
analyses of U. S. programs and activities in Vietnarn,
-- undextake special analytical studies on a priority basis
The Assistant to the President for
.National Security Affaixs (Chairman
as .required to support bxoad policy and related program decisions,
-- prauide a farurxi for and encourage s.ystennatic inter-
. agency analysis of U. S. programs and activities in Vietnam.
The Group will meet as necessary to initiate and review studies
and to supervise the preparations of issues papexs for consideration
by the President and the .National Security .Council. The Grr~up will
conduct its affairs without prejudice to the existing interdepart-.
mental framework concerned with day-to-day operational. matters
on Vietnam.
The membership of the Vietnam Special Studies Group shall include:
,The Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central intelligence
The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Under Secretary of State
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/15 : LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/15 : LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9
Depending on the issue under consideration, ,other agencies shall be
represented at the discretion of the Chairman.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/15 : LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/15 : LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9
`THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
l:ebruary l7, 1970
National Security Decision Memorandum 40
The Secretary of State
The .Secretary of Defense
The Dirrector of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Responsibility for the Conduct, Supervision
Coordination of Covert Action Operations
have determinecl.that it is essential to the defense and security
of the United States and its efforts for world peace that the
.overt foreign activities of the U.S. Government continue to be
supplemented by covert. action operations...
-The cavert actions of the U.S. Government abroad shall b2 subject
to coardinatian~and?cvntrol by the Director of Central Intelligence.
All such covert action operations, unless otherwise specifically
assigned by the l'res~.dent, shall be carried out by the Central.
,Intelligence Agency. The Director of Central Intelligence shall be
responsible far assuring that covert action operations are planned
and conducted in a manner consistent with U.S. foreign and military
policies, and for consulting with and obtaining appropriate coordi-.
nation from any other interested agencies or officers on a need-to-
lcnow basis. The Director of Central Intelligence sha11 obtain
policy approval ?or all major and/or politically sensitive covert
...,action pragrams through The 40 Committee.
apparent to unauthorized persons.
By covert action .operations I meaxt those activities which, although
designed to further official U.S. programs and policies abroad, are
sa planned and executed that the hand a~ the U.S. Gavernment is opt
The 40 Committee as presently constituted cansists.af the Assistant.
to the President fair National Security Affairs as Chairman, the
Attorney General., the Under Secretary of Stake for Political Affairs,
the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and the Director of Central.
Intelligence. .
The Director of Central. Intelligence will be responsible for insuring
an anr-ual review by xhe 40 Committee of all covert action pragrams
previously approved.
o Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/15 : LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/15 : LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9
TpP S1;CRNT i ~2-
Also subject to The 40 Committee`s policy review and sp~cifie
operational mission approval are the following programs,origi.naw
ting ix~ the Department of Defense: the monthly .loint Reconnais-
sancelCent~r Schedule, missions of the National Reconnaissance
Orl;ani:zation and the National Underwater Reconnaissance Program.
~"urthermore, any proposals for covert activities or. operations
from agencies not represented on The 40 Committee shall be
.subject to that committee's approval unless otherwise directed
by ,the President.
.Covert action npera~ions shall include any type of activity
necessary to carry out approved purposes except that they will
not include armed conflict by regular militaxy forces,. ar cover ".
and deception for 'active military operations. by the armed forces
This directive supersedes and rescinds NSC 5412/2.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/15 : LOC-HAK-474-5-1-9 ;"
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