MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL GROUP (CI) MEETING 2 P.M.,THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1963

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001900150057-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 22, 2003
• Sequence Number: 57
• Publication Date: May 9, 1963
• Content Type: MFR

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( 4.
May 9, 1963
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Special Group (CI) Meeting
2 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 1963
PRESENT: Governor Harriman, Mr. Gilpatric, Mr. Bell, General Taylor,
Mr. Forrestal, Mr. Wilson vice Mr. Murrow, Mr. Helms vice
NSC REVIEW Mr. McCone, Mr. Nolan vice The Attorney General
COMPLETED, Mr. Koren, General Krulak, Mr. Colby ere 25X1
6/26/2003 present for Item No. 1. 25X1
Mr. Wellman was present for Item No. 2.
Mr. Maechling was present for the meeting
1. Southeast Asia
a. Southeast Asia Status Report
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NSC
25X1
NSC
Thailand - Mr. Koren commented that the reasons for anti-terrorist
campaign in the South has not been effective to date is lack of Thai con-
centration on the problem and the fact that to some extent the Thai consider
it a Malayan responsibility.
He pointed out that the Thai plan to redeploy military units into key
remote areas is an encouraging development, as we have been pushing for
this for a long time.
In response to a question by General Taylor on the status of the
request for additional advisors to work with provincial police, Mr. Bell
stated that AID can meet this new requirement for additional personnel.
Mr. Gilpatric reported that planning is going forward on plans to pro-
vide the Army's portable transmitter for use in Thailand. He indicated
agreement that the funding for this project is to come from MAP but said
that it would be necessary to adjust MAP priorities for Thailand. Mr. Bell
suggested that due to possible legal problems on use of MAP funds for this
project, DOD and AID representatives should meet to consider the use of AID
supporting assistance.
coamiented on the current situation in Thailand and pointed
out that Sarit is becoming aware of the insurgency problem. He stated that
the repatriation program for the Vietnamese minority in the Northeast is
progressing satisfactorily. I xplained that the principal
reason for the lack of effective operations in the Thai/Malayan border is
that the Thai Border Police Unit consists of newly recruited personnel.
He hopes that the establishment of a Thai Special Branch Office in this
area will help in bringing information on the seriousness of the situation
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S E C R E T
2.
to the attention of the Thai Government. He remarked that the Thai is
showing increased concern at political trends in Burma.
25X1
NSC
in responding to a question on police programs stated that
the Border o ice program is going well but that the Provincial Police pro-
gram is just getting started. However, he believes that Thai effort on the
latter seems good at this time.
Cambodia - Mr. Koren pointed out that a military attache from Viet-Nam
has arrived in Phnom Penh and it is hoped that this move will assist in eas-
ing border incidents.
Viet-Nam - Mr. Koren reported that the proposed agreement with the
Vietnamese on the joint counterinsurgency fund will materially reduce U.S.
control of these funds. Mr. Bell observed that AID personnel in the field
are concerned over this arrangement because the Vietnamese may not push
established programs with the necessary vigor.
b. Report on the Honolulu Conference
General Krulak presented a summary review of the Secretary of Defense's
recent Honolulu Conference bringing out the following points: General
Harkins cited indicators that identify favorable trends in the situation in
Viet-Nam. Ambassador Nolting stated that the Vietnamese confidence in the
U.S. is not as good as it was some months ago, but recent speeches by senior
Government officials have somewhat restored lost ground.
Other items mentioned by General Krulak included: The USOM effort is
now geared to counterinsurgency; revised rules for border operations should
assist in actions against the Viet-Cong; border patrol operations are moving
forward but will not seal off the border; planning is going forward on a
contingency basis for future MAP and force structure adjustments; air inter-
diction is being applied under stringent rules and is achieving good results.
At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Colby agreed to look into recent
developments in the Laos/South Viet-Nam border area.
The Group discussed the problem of reconciling differences of opinion
on the situation in Viet-Nam as between officials on the scene and the
U.S. press. Mr. Wilson commented that our military in Viet-Nam should take
the press more into their confidence. Mr. Bell suggested that we should
explore sending opinion leaders other than the press out to Viet-Nam.
The Group agreed that Mr. Bell should make a recommendation as to when
it would be advisable to have General Harkins return for appearances before
various Congressional committees. General Taylor indicated that he sees no
problem in having General Harkins return for this purpose.
C. Man-Pack Jungle Radio
Mr. Gilpatric reported that Defense has not completely solved the pro-
blem of developing an operationally reliable man-pack jungle radio. The
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two radios showing the most promise are being tested in the field and in
the Army electronics laboratories.
Mr. Gilpatric assured the Group that both Defense and the Army will
continue to follow through on this matter.
2. Venezuela
a. Progress Report on Internal Defense Plan for Venezuela
Mr. Wellman discussed the current progress report pointing out actions
taken on the ciritcal points mentioned in Ambassador Stewarts transmittal
memorandum. He reported that favored developments in the situation are:
support by the military for Betancourt; progress in economic-social develop-
ment programs; favorable development with student groups. On the negative
side no agreement has been reached between the anti-communist parties on
the candidate for President, and terrorist activities continue.
The Chairman requested Mr. Forrestal to look into the status of
efforts to avoid a cutback of Venezuelan oil imports.
Mr. Gilpatric stated that the Defense Department is will considering
a proposed cutback in procurement of off-shore petroleum products from
Venezuela within the overall effort to reduce the unfavorable balance of
payments. He said Defense was aware of State's position in favor of main-
taining the present level of procurement.
The Group discussed the recommendation contained in the Lansdale Report
to send a large group of U.S. students to work in the University of Caracas
and observed that this may not be the most effective may to approach this
problem. The Group agreed that an inter-departmental working group should
be established to study the problem of countering Communist infiltration
into student groups.
In approving the progress report the Group requested that future
reports include the status of civic action programs.
Miscellaneous
A. The Group agreed with General Taylor's suggestion that CIA prepare a
Special National Intelligence Estimate on "The Implications of a Possible
Resumption of the Kurdish Rebellion", and report on this item at the
next meeting.
B. General Taylor reported that during his recent trip to Iran that both
the Shah and the U.S. Ambassador believed that the tribal conflicts in
the South were not serious and resulted primarily from poor crops and the
lack of prompt assistance by the Government. He pointed out the concern of
the Iranians over developments in neighboring Arab countries. General
Taylor also mentioned that the Ambassador still requests a mounted police
advisor and five Warrant Officer advisors to be assigned to the Gendarmarie.
James W. Dingeman
25X1
Executive Secretary
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