CIA VIEWS ON THE RESTRUCTURING OF USIB IN ITS COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91M00696R000800130006-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 28, 2005
• Sequence Number: 6
• Content Type: MF

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
MEMORANDUM FOR: USIB Secretariat
FROM : CIA Member, USIB
SUBJECT : CIA Views on the Restructuring of
USIB in its Committee Structure
1. Under E.O. 11905 USIB and its committee structure
were abolished. The DCI, however, was given authority to
create such Community committees and groups as he deems
necessary to the exercise of his responsibilities.
2. In the view of CIA, it is necessary to have some
Community structure to support the Director of Central
Intelligence. Some activities should be placed in the CFI
structure, others should be under the direction of the DCI's
Deputy for CIA, and others should be controlled directly by
the DCI as part of his immediate staff.
3. I believe that to fulfill the Director's responsibilities
of the production of national intelligence the United States
Intelligence Board should be reconstituted as a National Intel-
ligence Board (NIB), advisory to the DCI but charged only
with substantive matters. The DCI would serve as Chairman
of the NIB with his Deputy for CIA as tine Vice Chairman and
CIA Member. The membership of the NIB is a matter that the
DCI will probably want to consider personally and to discuss
with the members of the CFI.
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4. The attachment presents a brief discussion of my
views on the disposition of the present USIB Community
structure. It can be summarized as follows:
The purpose and functions of one Committee--
the Intelligence Information Handling
Committee--should be the subject of a
basic re-examination by the Community.
One Committee--the Critical Collection
Problems Committee- -should be abolished.
Three Committees--COMIREX, SIGINT,
and the Human Resources Committee--
should be restructured. In each case,
their responsibilities should be divided
so that those elements directly involved
in the day-to-day aspects of national
intelligence production should be part
of the NIB committee structure. Those.
elements more concerned with overall
policy and resource issues should be part
of a staff structure supporting the CFI.
One Committee--the Security Committee--
because of the unique nature of the DCIT s
responsibilities on security matters
should be made a part of the DCI's immediate
staff.
The remaining committees should, in my
view, be retained as part of the NIB
committee structure.
Vernon A. Walters
Lieutenant General, USA
CIA Member, USIB
Attachment:
Reorganization of the USIB Committee
Structure
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Comxnittce on Exchanges (COMEX)
The Committee on Exchanges exists to coordinate Com-
munity activities in the intelligence exploitation of US Government
official exchanges and other cooperative arrangements with
specified foreign nations. It provides intelligence advice and
opinion on proposed exchanges. An area of specified concern is
to ensure against the loss of US technology from these exchanges
or agreements.
The activities of COMEX are beyond the direct responsi-
bilities of, the CFI. CIA feels that it clearly belongs in the NIB
structure because of its deep reliance on substantive intelligence
components for assistance, support, and evaluation.
COMIREX
COMIREX is a unique and singularly useful Community
committee which has a mix of responsibilities ranging from day-
to-day operational tasking and evaluation of imagery collection
operations to the development of major policy reviews and guidance
regarding existing and planned imagery systems.
In terms of personnel resources, COMIREX is by far the
largest committee of the present USIB structure, presently having a
staff of IA positions (with an additional ^CIA positions planned
for FY-77T, in addition to a number of DoD/DIA assignees.
The present broad mix of COMIREX functions should not
be assigned in its entirety to either the CFI or the NIB.
In the CIA view, a sensible and workable division of
responsibilities would be:
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a. To assign to the CFI that part of the
COIVIIREX responsibility which is concerned
with the major policy issues related to imagery
collection and the development of coordinated
guidance on the full range of Community needs
andpri_orities to be satisfied by imagery source
collection and exploitation programs. This
responsibility is presently carried out by the
immediate staff and Executive Secretariat of
the Chairman, COMIREX.
b. To assign as part of the NIB structure,
and administratively subordinate to CIA as a
service of common concern, those parts of the
COMIREX structure directly concerned with the
day-to-day operation of imagery collection systems.
c. To preserve the integrity and unified
direction of imagery resource and operating
issues, the Chairman, COMIREX, though a part
of the CFI structure, would also be charged
with direction and leadership of those operating
elements included in the NIB committee structure.
The advantage of this division is that it gives to the CFI
those parts of the COMIREX function most concerned with policy
and resource issues without disturbing the close relationship
with line production and exploitation elements that are critical
to effective functioning of the operating subcommittees of
COMIREX. The CIA proposal would also eliminate the duplica-
tion of present IC and COMIREX staffing patterns and responsi-
bilities in the imagery field.
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Critical Collection Problems Committee (CCPC)
In the 27 years of its existence the CC PC has :made many
valuable contributions through its systematic all-source examina-
tion of critical, collection problems.
During recent years the creation of a number of Com-
munity organizations charged with evaluative functions concerning
collection and production programs has obviated the need for the
CCPC.
Executive Order 11905 restates the responsibility of the
Community to maintain these evaluative functions. The integration
of these evaluative functions should not require the creation of a
separate Community committee.
Therefore, CIA recommends that the CCPC be permanently
dissolved.
Economic Intelligence Committee (EIC)
The EIC functions principally to promote the exchange of
information among the economic intelligence producers, the
Community, and other economic research units in the Governmento
It also serves as a means of formulating economic intelligence
priorities and requirements so that guidance can be provided to
collectors.
In the CIA view the EIC has served well in ensuring that
the needs of economic intelligence producers are given adequate
attention in a Community otherwise dominated by military
concerns.
Although the subcommittee structure should be reviewed
with a view to decreasing it, the EIC should be maintained. As
an integral part of the economic intelligence production it should
function under the general supervision of the NII3.
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Human Resources Committee (HRC)
The HRC is a relative newcomer to the world of USIB
committees with responsibilities ranging from the development
of intelligence requirements for human source collectors to
overall appraisals of human collection programs -to provide
assessments and guidance.
With the exception of some of its evaluations under the
FOCUS assessment program, the HRC has not functioned
effectively. It has expanded bureaucratically to the point that
it now has full.-time positions and an elaborate structure
including four subcommittees.
In the CIA view the HRC should be retained but with a
considerable reduction in its structure and resources. Those
parts of the HRC--the Guidance and Requirements Subcommittee,-
and the Assessments Subcommittee--which are substantively
oriented- -should be retained (in a reduced form) in the NIB as
a service of common concern. Those parts performing
"collection advisory functions" should be abolished.
The product of the NIB Guidance and Assessment groups
could provide whatever substantive input would be required by
a small counterpart committee in the CFI charged with resources
questions relating to human source collection programs.
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Joint Atomic Energy Intell once Committee (JAEIC)
JAEIC, like other substantively oriented USIB committees,
exists primarily to achieve interagency coordination and cooperation
in the collection and production of national intelligence on nuclear
matters. It also has a special responsibility in monitoring the
implementation of the Limited Test Ban Treaty.
In the CIA view, JAEIC should be retained as presently
constituted as a part of the NIB. In this arrangement, it could
also provide any support required by the CFI on matters relating
to resource allocation.
Scientific, and Technical Intelligence Committee (STIC)
The mission of the STIC has recently been the subject
of an intensive Community review. In DCID 3/5, issued on
15 January 1976, this mission was stated, "to provide early
warning of foreign scientific or technical advances, . . . `
which could affect significantly the national security of
national welfare of the United States.
The execution of this mission is principally the responsibility
of the scientific intelligence components of the Community. As
such it is the CIA view that STIC, like the other production-oriented
committees of the Community, be a part of the NIB.
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SecurityCommittce
Given the DCI' s responsibilities for establishing effective
security policies to protect intelligence sources and methods,
and classified intelligence products, it is imperative that the
Security Committee be maintained.
The need for a Security Committee is reinforced by
Executive Order 11905's assignment to the DCI of specific
responsibilities for a program to downgrade and declassify
foreign intelligence information.
In exercising the full range of his security responsibilities,
the DCI will need advice and assistance on a full time basis of a
senior and qualified security professional. This individual. will
also need the full cooperation and assistance of senior representatives
from the security elements of the other intelligence agencies.
CIA recommends that these functions be a responsibility
of an Assistant to the DCI on Community Security. This individual
would also serve as the Chairman of a Security Committee, with
essentially the same organization and responsibilities as the present
USIB Security Committee.
SIGINT Committee
The SIGINT Committee, although considerably smaller
than COMIREX, is similar in its mix of responsibilities. It
plays a role in the development of guidance for SIGINT programs,
policies and procedures. It also plays a role in facilitating the
levying of consumer requirements on SIGINT collection programs
and in substantive evaluation of the product of these programs.
Some of its activities are related directly to the resource and
management concerns of CFI. Others are largely substantively
oriented and are strongly dependent for effective operation on
close day-to-day working relationships with the substantive
producers of the Community.
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In the CIA view the SIGINT Committee, as presently
structured, should not be retained solely in the CFI structure
or in an NIB structure.
A reasonable and effective division would be for those
elements directly concerned with day-to-day substantive matters
to be part of the NIB structure. These would include the
SIGINT Requirements, Validation and Evaluation Subcommittee
(SIRVES) and the SIGINT Overhead Reconnaissance Subcommittee
(SORS). The remaining parts of the SIGINT Committee with
Chairman and Executive Secretariat would be part of the
supporting structure of the CFI. It would receive the substantive
input necessary to policy and resource determinations from
SIRVES and SORS.
Weapons and S ce_ Systems Intelligence Committee (WSSIC)
The WSSIC has a well-defined responsibility for the
coordination of requirements and the production of national
intelligence on foreign weapons and space systems.
Its responsibilities were recently reviewed and affirmed
in DCID 3/4, 15 January 1976. As a substantively oriented
committee, it should be retained as part of the NIB.
Intelligence Information Handling Committee (IHC)
The IHC was established in 1968 in recognition of the need
to have a mechanism to facilitate a coordinated Community
approach in the adoption of technology for information handling
systems. Given the high costs and importance of these systems,
the need for a central point to monitor them is accepted.
Whether the IHC is the proper or most effective approach to
the problem is debatable.
The IHC functions principally as a forum for the exchange
of views and discussion of approaches to information handling
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systems. For a number of reasons, including its separation
from the substantive components of the Community, it has not
made much progress in the promotion of coordinated and
common solutions to information handling. The effectiveness
of the IEIC has also been diluted over the years by its extension
into a broad number of functions such as training, computer
security, national/ tactical relationships, and format standardization
programs, which are beyond its capabilities or duplicative of
other Community efforts.'
In the CIA view the restructuring of USIB presents an
excellent opportunity for a fundamental review of the charter
of the IHC. It is recommended that an inter-Agency committee
be established to conduct this review. This committee should
be enjoined to delimit the functions of the IHC, to ensure a
proper substantive input into its proceeding and to effect a program
that will require less resources than the present IIIC
SALT Monitorin Groin
Although not a formal USIB committee the SALT Monitoring.
Group was created by USIB and is responsible to the DCI for
guidance and supervision of intelligence monitoring activities
required under the strategic arms limitations agreements with
the USSR.
The critical nature of this function and its complete
dependence upon the substantive components of the Community
dictate that it should be maintained as a Community undertalking.
CIA recommends that the SALT Monitoring Group be
maintained as presently organized and as part of the NIB
structure.
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The USIB is reconstituted as the U.S. Board of Estimates
with the same membership. The USBE will be chaied by the DCI
and will deal only with substantive intelligence. The Military
Department Intelligence chiefs will be afforded full membership
status.
The DCI's Deputy for CIA will perform as Vice
Chairman and CIA member.
The existing substantive subcommittees of the
USIB will be retained under the USBE.
-- NIEs will be accomplished by the NIO structure
in conjunction with the subcommittees for
presentation to the USBE for approval.
-- Final approval and resolution of issues will
rest with the DCI in his role as Chairman,
USBE, and as Director, CIA, to meet his national
intelligence production responsibilities.
A new U.S. Intelligence Support Board (USISB) will be
constituted to deal with non-substantive Intelligence Com-
munity interests and issues. The USISB will be chaired by
the D/DCI/IC, and its membership will consist of the deputies
to the USBE principals plus other appropriate agencies as
required. The Military Departments will be afforded full
membership.
-- All non-substantive USIB subcommittees will
be under the USISB.
-- New subcommittees will be formed as required
by USBE or USISB.
*COMIREX
-- To assign to the ICS that part of the COMIREX
responsibility which is concerned with the
major policy issues related to imagery col-
lection and the development of coordinated
guidance on the full range of Community needs
and priorities to be satisfied by imagery
source collection and exploitation programs.
This responsibility is presently carried out
by the immediate staff and Executive Secretariat
of the Chairman, COMIREX.
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-- To preserve the integrity and unified direction
of imagery resource and operating issues, the
Chairman, COMIREX, through a part of the CFI
structure, would also be charged with direction
and leadership of those operating elements
included in the USISB committee structure.
Critical Collection Problems Committee (CCPC)
-- Dissolved
*SIGINT Committee
-- The SIGINT Committee, although considerably
smaller than COMIREX, is similar in its mix
of responsibilities. It plays a role in the
development of guidance for SIGINT programs,
policies, and procedures. It also plays a
role in facilitating the levying of consumer
requirements on SIGINT collection programs
and in substantive evaluation of the product
of these programs. Some of its activities
are related directly to the resource and
management concerns of CFI. Others are largely
substantively oriented and are strongly dependent
for effective operation on close day-to-day
working relationships with the substantive
producers of the Community.
-- A reasonable and effective division would be
for those elements directly concerned with
day-to-day substantive matters to be part of
the USISB structure. The remaining parts
of the SIGINT Committee with Chairman and
Executive Secretariat would be part of the
supporting structure of the CFI on the ICS.
It would receive the substantive input neces-
sary to policy and resource determination
from SIRVES and SORS.
Information Handling Committee
-- Dissolved after a close review of the function.
Remainders would become an ICS office or function.
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Security Committee
-- Given the DCI's responsibilities for establishing
effective security policies to protect intelligence
sources and methods and classified intelligence
products, it is imperative that the Security Com-
mittee be maintained.
-- These functions should be a responsibility of an
Assistant to the DCI on Community Security. Given
the unique nature of CIA's security problems, this
individual should be a CIA professional security
officer. He would also serve as the Chairman of
a Security Committee, with essentially the same
organization and responsibilities as the present
USIB Security. Committee, but organizationally
located on the IC Staff.
Human Resources Committee
-- Retain as is for present, but perform a careful
evaluation of functions, structure, and resources:
to ascertain if it should not be reduced to a
specific office within the IC Staff.
Committee on Exchanges
National/Tactical Intelligence Interoperabilities
Committee
-- Subordinated to the USISB, the Chairman would be
a Special Assistant to the D/DCI/IC for National/
Tactical affairs. The committee would provide
guidance on the relationship between National and
Tactical intelligence to include interactions,
interdependencies, joint exercise testing of
National assets in support of military commanders,
and other related issues.
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(Intelligence Users Committee
The Committee will be chaired by a senior member of the,
Intelligence Community Staff. Its responsibilities will incYude:
-- Provide a focal point and guidance for intelligence
users not routinely associated with the Intel-
ligence Community, e.g., ACDA, Department of Com-
merce, etc., to insure their requirements are
considered.
-- Provide input to the USISB on resource, priority,
and management issues attendant to the needs of
non-Intelligence Community users.
-- Do periodic surveys on the utility and effectiveness
of intelligence through contact and evaluations
with the non-intelligence portions of the Intel-
ligence Community as well as other users.
-- Provide support to the National Users Board.)
*A detailed review of the COMIREX and SIGINT Committees' functions
should be undertaken by a'joint Agency group. It may well be
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