DCI/SECDEF BREAKFAST TOPIC: AIR FORCE REFUSAL TO PROVIDE DATA FOR NIE ON SOVIET AIR DEFENSE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86M00886R002400030034-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 24, 2009
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: August 1, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

D
Approved For Release 2009/07/24 : CIA-RDP86MOO886ROO2400030034-9
The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D.C. 20505
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH: Chairman, National Intelligence Council
SP - 177/84
1 August 1984
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FROM: ssistant National Intelligence
icer tor rategic Programs
SUBJECT: DCI/SecDef Breakfast Topic: Air Force Refusal to Provide
Data for NIE on Soviet Air Defense
1. Attempts to negotiate with the get the data
requested for our use in Air Force
has cancelled the second negotiations meeting to have taken place this week
and informed us that they will provide no data. They have stated that a memo
to explain their refusal will be forthcoming. In our dealings with the Air
Force we have offered options to accommodate the Air Force's concerns for
protecting sensitive data and assuring their proper use; these offers have
been to no avail. I request that you raise this topic with the Secretary of
Defense and ask his assistance in breaking this impasse.
2. I have attached talking points for your use with Secretary Weinberger
and as background three memoranda (including the original request and refusal)
on our attempts to get the data.
Attachments:
As stated
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The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington. DA, 20IS
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28 June 1984
copy 40
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FROM: National Intelligence Officer for Strategic Programs
SUBJECT: Air Force Refusal to Provide Data for NIE on
Soviet Air Defense
I The Air Force has refused to provide data requested by me for
(my request is Attachment A; the Air
Force refusal is Attachment B). Per Bob Gates' recommendation, I request that
you appeal to the Secretary of Defense for a reversal of this decision.
2. The Air Force refusal is not consistent with the DCI/SECDEF agreement
on the preparation of net assessments and the provision of US force data to
the CIA (see Attachment C) in which the Secretary agreed that the Department
of Defense will provide a much freer flow of US force data to the Intelligence
Community. The refusal is also not consistent with the commitment made by the
Air Force representative at the Terms of Reference meeting for this NIE, to
provide data on US forces needed for the Estimate.
3J ~ We did not receive a
written response until 10 1/2 weeks after our request. tThe request was dated
12 April, not 3 May as indicated in their response). Their response was not
transmitted until 3 weeks after its signature, and was essentially lost in
their bureaucracy until we complained.
4. The explanations provided by Air Force Intelligence (AF/IN) do not
constitute a sufficient basis to refuse the data requested. Their explanation
and our reactions follow:
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 Approved For Release 2009/07/24 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002400030034-9
SUBJECT: Air Force Refusal to Provide Data for NIE on
Soviet Air Defense
--"...is a task for net assessment." This estimate will not be a net
assessment. We need the requested data to provide valid
assessments of the capabilities and vulnerabilities of Soviet air
defenses against the types of threats they face now and will face
in the future.
"...information is very sensitive ... scenario dependent .... not
necessary to conduct a study . could be used out of context..."
We recognize that some of the data is very sensitive, particularly
for advanced systems. Perhaps some of the data may need to he
withheld, however, we believe that more general data could be
provided so as not to jeopardize the specific characteristics of
advanced US systems under development. We are willing to work with
the Air Force in assuring that the data are used in a fashion
consistent with the types of scenarios they may envision. In the
process of coordinating the estimate, we intend to work with the
Air Force to make sure that these data are not used out of
context. As noted in the DCI/SECDEF agreement, we will respect any
DoD caveats on the use of their data. We cannot, however, accept
their refusal to provide any data.
--"...would prejudice the results. We find this comment a bit
insulting. We would he more than glad to incorporate US Air Force
planning factors, operational realities, tactics, countermeasures,
and other information which would assure that our assessments and
evaluations are realistic, accurate, and fair. In any case, we
have a good record of caveats in treating Soviet air defense
capabilities.
5. Furthermore, AF/IN has not provided a draft of the one section of the
NIE that AF/IN promised to provide--one that called for the very data they are
now refusing to provide.
6. You should be aware that:
--the operations side of the Air Force (not AF/IN) is most opposed to
the release of the requested data and that
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