KEN DAM REQUEST THAT NSC CHAIR STUDY OF IMPROVED FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL FORECASTING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-538-2-10-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: March 9, 2011
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: September 19, 1973
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/04/17: LOC-HAK-538-2-10-1
1111 I
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
TO ODE WORD
MEMORANDUM FOR BRENT SCOWCROFT
M i'vfORANDUM
_r
? FROM: David Elliot
ATO Marshall
5273-X
ACTION
September 19, 1973
SUBJECT: Ken Dam Request That NSC Chair Study of Improved
? ? 1''or,cig.n Agricultural Forecasting
The attached letter from James Fletcher of NASA to George Shultz suggests
e reorientation of ERTS-B as part of a national pilot program to make a
frtoba.l'assessment of the production of selected food and feed grains. (See
...tab A.) This suggestion will be turned down by Shultz and OMB, but Ken
-am wants to have an assessment made of how best to provide top decision-
make.--rs with 'improved forecasts of the foreign production of food and feed
. grains, and perhaps other agricultural products. The possible role of
ERTS and classified reconnaissance programs is to be assessed as part
of this proposed study.
NASA review completed pages 3-9
Darn.would like the NSC to chair the study. There may not be good
alternatives, because:
Darn has no staff of his own familiar with the existing
?isktelligence efforts in this area.
MORI/CDF
C05142368 Pages
OM.B has strong negatiCre views on ERTS; the result of
?::?.khe Study is predeterz-nined in some respects.
? Qther agencies have Strong interests, e.g.s Agriculture,
? arid even CIA? where there. are contrasting positions in separate
parts of the Agency. ?
NSC review completed.
. .
1..ti or view HAK has a special interest. in this study because of the.
s? axis:TIAN-ay of foreign nations to the use of ERTS or other NASA programs.
kr economic intelligence. purposes. Indeed, the study. .itself should be
c9rduc.-.1.ed in a way that does not start rumors that rRTS is being .considered
pr. may .already have been used for economic intelligenee purposes.
? .
- XGDS (2) HANDLE VIA TALENT-
DECLAS IMPDET I