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29 December 1969 

MENORANDUM FOR THE RECORD 

SUBJECT: Minutes of the Meeting of the 303 Comnittee, 

20 December 1969 

PRESENT: Mr. Kissinger, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Johnson and 

General Cushman. Mr. Packard was out of the city. 

Mr. Thomas Karamessines, Hr. Carl Duckett and 

Mr. Wymberley DeR. Coerr were present for· 

Items 1 and 2. 

The Chairman opened the meeting stating he had convened it 

primarily to discuss two budget cuts which had arisen unexpectedly 

and one which might be raised. He noted that higher authority, in 

a recent meeting with the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, had 

agreed to the elimination of the CIA Covert U-2 Reconnaissance 

Program (IDEALIST). He stated he also believed there was a possibility that the Bureau of the Budget would recommend cancellation 

of the HEXAGON reconnaissance satellite program. See Regular Minute 

dated 29 December 1969 for the other activity l!:ubjected to a budget 

cut. 

1. CIA Covert U-2 Reconnaissance Pro0 ram IDEALIST) 

a. Mr. Duckett briefed the Committee amplifying on the points 

made in the CL\ paper dated 18 December· (BYE 9228/69) and responding 

to a number of questions. 

b. It w,;, ch.:: strong view of the memburs present that the U.-s; 

should retain:~~ . Jvert econnaissance capability for contingency 

use in possible f .2 c:.:-i:,is situations. Cognizance was also taken 

of the fact thi1.t ._ :,, ncrisis periods the U-2 photography obtained 

of Chinese Com1Jun:is. -:. ,. ::al areas is of significant interest to the 

U.S. and of st:categ1...: ::.r:~<2:rest to the Governnent of the Republic of 

China (GRC), which do,2:; not have access to US satellite photography. 

The members we~e unanimous in their belief th,s~ removal of the IDEALIST 

U-2 detachment from Taiwan would result in m,,Jor political problems 

with the GRC. 

c. The Chairman stated that he thought the Committee should 

study and review further the feasibilities of continuing, terminating 

or transferring this activity and make appropriate recommendations to 

higher authority prior to the next budget submission. In the meantime, a recommendation should be presented to higher authority for 

the retention of this capability in FY 1971. The members agreed. 

BYE 106,278 -69 

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d. On 24 December 1969' higher authority approved a memorandum 

containing the following recommendation: ,., "That you approve retention of the CIA covert U·2 

reconnaissance program with a budget on the order 

of~----~for FY 1971, with the understanding 

that the 303 Committee will study this activity 

further and make appropriate recommendations to 

you prior to the FY 1972 budget submission." 

2. HEXAGON Reconnaissance System 

a. In the discussion of the HEXAGON reconnaissance satellite 

program, Mr. Duckett answered a number of technical questions on 

HEXAGON versus CORONA/GAf.IBIT capabilities which reflected that once 

HEXAGON is operational its high ground resolution photography will 

take much of the guesswork out of photographic analysis. Additionally• its wider swath and longer life will require fewer launches 

to maintain surveillance in which we can have confidence over 

greater areas. 

b. It was the unanimous strong view of the members, including 

Mr. Packard, who while not present had previciusly conveyed his 

position to the Chairman, that HEXAGON is a Ligh priority program 

which should be continued. 

3. JRC Schedule for December 1969 

The JRC Monthly Reconnaissance Schedule for December 1969 was 

telephonically approved by 303 Committee principals on 5 Decemper 

with the following inclusion and the modification recorded in the 

regular minute dated 29 December 1969: 

4. SAFSS Forecast for December 1969 

The SAFSS forecast for December 1969 was telephonically approved 

by 303 Committee principals on 5 December with the following 

restric.tions: 

a. ;11 overflights of the China mainland continued to e 

~~oo~ down, but the proposed Photo and ELINT IDEAL!~,/ 

TACKLE missions were approved with the understanding 

that there be no approach closer than 20 n.m. to the 

China mainland. 

BYE 106,278-69 

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b. Action.was deferred, .on. the request ,for the four- BUNPY 

ACTION drone missions over South China in December 

pending decision by higher authority on the memo~andum 

described in the Committee special minutes dated 

l December 1969 (BYE 106,277-69). 

c. Approval of the proposed SR-71 overflight of North 

Korea was temporarily deferred in order not to 

prejudice new developments in the negotiations for 

release of the captured helicopter crew. 

Distribution: 

Mr, Mitchell 

.. · ---->1 Mr. Packard 

Mr. Johnson 

Mr. Helms 

BYE 106 ,278-69 

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