••• .. - ,s,. • 

'feP SBeRE'f = 17 .S o RBS 6Nfl! FINAL 

§lJBJECT NUMBER 

USCIB: 3.5/10 

Subject: 

Item 3 of the Agenda for the 105th Meeting of tBCIB, 

held on 13 August 1954. 

Release to Canada of NSASAB Report (IBCIB 3.5/9). 

The ACTING CHAIRMA.N introduced tle item and asked Gene:ml Canine to 

comment. 

GENERAL CANINE explained that there are many items of COMINT 

releasable to Canada and that he felt that in his own expurgation of 

material from the original report he had complied with the regulations of 

the Board. However, in order to be sure that he was not unwittingly 

releasing to Canada COMINI' items which some one of the members might 

regard as an unreleasable COMINT item, he had therefore submitted his 

expurgated version for review by the members. Thus,"he said, his purpose 

w.s to afford the members an opportunity to point out any COMINl' items of 

their own which they might feel ought not to be released. General Canine 

continued by saying that the deletions reco:mm.ended by the members tO him 

did not, in his opinion, deal with the !unctions of those members but 

rather with his functions and were not based on the releasability of any 

COMINT item as such. Instead, he said, the deletions submitted by the 

members appeared to be based on objections to the substance of the 

report rather than on the releasability of the COMINT contained therein. 

In particular, he said, the members seemed to object to making known to 

Canada the deficiencies the Robertson Co:mm.ittee had noted in the National 

Security Agency. These matters General Canine went on to say, are well 

known to Canadian COMINI' officials owing to the competence of their 

previous liaison officer with the NSA and are, in any case, mattm-s under 

the cognizance of the Director, NSA. Therefore, General Canine said 

from the standpoint of informing the Canadians on certain controversial~ 

aspects of the conduct of the UaS. COMINT effort, the Canadians would not 

be learning anything new from the Robertson Report. In addition, General 

Canine went on, the Canadians already know something of the nature of the 

Report having been told of it by Mr. Robertson. This, General Canine 

said, was done without his knowledge and he could not say now whether he 

would or 'WOuld not have approved such action had he been asked. The 

result, however, is, he said, that the Canadians know of the Report, 

would like to have it, and in his opinion ought to get it as an important 

partner with the U.S. in the business of air defense of North America. 

The ACTil'li CHAIRMAN asked for comment. 

Ml. SHELDON indicated that in his view the Canadian "need-to-kno~" 

rather than the fact of their having by penetration learned something of 

it should be the basis for determining the releasability of the Report. · 

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eclassified and approved for release 

y NSA on 09-26-2014 pursuant to E.O. 

3526 
• 

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GEN!RAL CANINE connnented to the effect that the Report deals only 

with early warning problems and expressed the view that it is not 

reasonable to try to differentiate between one part or another of early 

wrning information insofar as Canada is concerned on the North American 

Continent. 

MR. GODEL expressed doubt that the need to know criterion is 

applicable to the deletions proposed. 

MR. SHELDON stated that another fundamental question is the release 

of 8 third agency" information. 

ADMIRAL ESPE pointed out that the Report contains a good deal of 

information other than COMINT and expressed some doubt as to whether 

the Report in question is a proper vehicle for conveying that type of 

information to the Canadians. 

The ACTING CHAIRMAN indicated agreement with this view and drew 

attention to Appendices III and X of the Report. 

Ml. GODEL expressed the opinion that the Report has many shortcomings and that to give it official sanction as a result of expurgating 

it further "WOuld be to clothe it with greater significance than it 

deserves. He suggested forwarding it as proposed by the Director, NSA 

pointing out at the same time the fact that it has not been officially 

accerted although parts of it might be or use. 

The ACTING CHAIRMAN indicated some difficulty in discerning why 

further expurgation need be construed as official sanction for the 

remainder. 

GE~ CANINE stated that the questions raised were such as cause 

him to consider whether he should not perhaps submit the Report to the 

Secretary of Defense for examination to make sure that non-COMINT 

information which should not be sent to Canada is taken out since the 

non-COMINT information to which objections have been raised 'is not 

within the proper purview of USCIB. 

m. GODEL pointed out that such action might create even greater 

difficulties. 

The ACTING CHAIRMAN indicated his view that Appendi~es III and X 

are not suitable, on a need-to-know basis, for dissemination to Canadian 

intelligence authorities. He. said that other members might have similar 

suggestions. He suggested that General Canine accept these views and 

proceed from there according to his responsibilities. 

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GENERAL CANINE said that that "WOuld require him to seek advice 

.from the O.ff'ice o.f the Secretary of Defense. He outlined the 

difficulties that arise in attempting to produce intelligence without 

knowledge of its purpose and explained that one of the purposes or 

giving the report to Canada was to assist the Canadian counterpart of 

NSA, with which NSA. is in close collaboration, in producing from COMINT 

sources information of value in solving the early warning problem. 

Expurgation that would obscure the intelligence objective, be said, 

wuld render the Report wrtbless. 

MR. GCDEL pointed out that, while from the intelligence point of 

view Appendix X is ELINl', not COMIN'l', the policy relationship between 

COMINT and ELINT has been recognized in that the Board has expressed 

a desire to have cognizance over both fields. 

The ACTING CHAIRMAN indicated that his objections are based on the 

revelaticn of U.S. organization and dispositions as contained in the 

questioned parts of the Report'"'._.. 

GENERAL CANINE replied that insofar as his facilities are concerned he :f'urnishes the Canadians a quarterly report of the. U.S. 

organization and disposition. 

ADMIRAL ESPE offered the opinion that much of the questioned 

information might not have been made available for inclusion in the 

Robertson Report had it been know in advance that there was any intention or releasing it to an:;r other country. 

MR. GODEL said that he felt the Board to be f'aced with a difficult 

choice and ought to try to make the best of a bad situation. He said 

that he is not favorably impressed by the Report and would prefer that 

it not be given to Canada. .At the same timei. he said, he finds it 

dil".f'icult to see how the U.S. could grace.f'ully refuse. He suggested 

that the Report be released with a frank letter to the effect that it 

is not approved but may be useful, · 

GENmAL CANINE pointed out that Ml'. Robertson had acted in good 

faith wl)en he had let the information about the Report become known to 

the Canadi&ns. This happened when Mt-. Robertson was engaged in 

discussions of the .. h,!-mispheric early warning problem with Mt-. Solandt 

of the Canadian Scientific BOa.rd. ~ 

The members agreed that the result was to present them with what 

amounted to a fait accompli. 

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Mi. ELLIS stated that he wuld subscribe to General Canine•s 

proposal. 

The ACTING CHAIRMAN asked for f"ul?ther comment • 

. MR. ARI.STRONG indicated that .he wuld support the position of the 

Director, mA and.agree to having the report f'orw.rded with a cover 

memo.disclaiming any official aspects of it other than as it affects 

COMINl'. 

The ACTING CHAIRMAN posed the question of control of' dissemination 

of the Report in Canada. 

GENERAL ·CANII\E pointed out that the Report bears the COMINr codeword thus automatically reducing the probable extent of distribution. 

There followed a discussion as to whether only the COMINl' aspect$ 

of the report should be sent. 

It was brought out by GENERAL CANINE that such a version wuld not 

longer be the Robertson Report the Canadians had already been told 

about and given to understand, by both Mr. Robertson and General Canine, 

they would get. 

ADMIRAL ESPE questioned the ·authority of Mr. Robertson to indicate 

to the Canadians that they could have the Report. He pointed c:>ut that 

the Board is not obligated to yield the Report without previous consul-. 

tation. 

Mt. GCDEL voiced the opinion that yielding now would. be less 

embarrassing than denying a specific request that has been·pending a 

long time~ 

m. SIIELOON suggested sending only the COldINI' portion with a 

letter of transmittal pointing out that other aspects have been made 

available through other appropriate channels such as the CJSM. 

GENERAL SCHOW indicated that the Ar1l13' favors deletions and doubts 

the propriety of uscm or NSA releasing ELI.NT information. 

GENERAL IEWIS asked 'What specific embarrassment "WOuld be likely to 

ensue if' the Report wre not released at all·. 

MR. GODEL said he felt reluctant to give the report US sanction 

because he views it only as the opiriion of an advisoey group and, therefore, wuld consider release on that basis to be the least embarrassing 

course of action. 

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REF ID:A 67683 e 

GENERAL I&IIS repeated his question stating that it appeared to be 

a case or being embarrassed it we don't .:rorwaro it yet some seemed to 

feel that there are things in the Report that the Canadians do not need 

to know. He ,wnt on to point out that we normal.ly favor release of 

mutual defense information to Canada. Therefore, he asked, are the 

proposed expurgations intended to eliminate u.s •. dirty linen that will 

be embaITassing if left in? 

:m. GODEL stated that to withhold release of the report would be to 

imply greater importance and a degree of official sanction which we are 

not now prepared to attach to the report. While he personally viewed the 

report with mixed .feelings, it was his impression that a substantial amount 

or in.formation in the report was already known to the Canadians through our 

extensive collaboration with them on Continental Air Defense matters. 

'· 

GENERAL LEWIS disagreed with this view and offered the opinion that 

it would be valid to refuse the Report on the grounds that it is inadequate. In !act, he said, he relt that there is serious doubt as to , the accuracy of the Report. 

GENERAL CANINE said that in spite or its shortcomings the Robertson 

Report was a distinct aid to him in .facilitating his responsiveness to 

early warning requirements. 

GENERAL LEWIS expressed puzzlement as to why that should be an ~ ~gument for giving the Report. to Canada. He said he thought it would 

be better for General Canine to pick out the lessons to be learned and 

send those to Canada. 

'GENERAL CANINE answered that i! the Report is helpful to him in its 

present form it will also be helpf'ul to CBNRC whose problems are iden~ical 

with his. 

The ACTil'IJ CHAIRMAN asked General Canine if he would prefer to press 

the matter to a vote or would rather reconsider the problem in the light 

or the discussion with the view to releasing the COMI.NT aspects and 

expurgating as necessary the non-COMINI' aspects. 

GENERAL CANINE said ·he would prefer to ·have the Board take ac·tion on 

the proposal and i.f the brd's decision should .run counter to the views 

he has expressed he -would accept the decision gracefully and get out of 

the situation as best he could. 

MR. GODEL expres.ped the view that insofar as COMINT matters within 

the competence of USCIB are concerned, General Canine•s proposal is 

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REF ID:A67683. 

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acceptable and he -would support the views of the Director, NSA in that 

respect. Other aspects, he said, tall under the cognizance or the 

Department of' Defense. He suggested, therefore, that the Board render 

a favo~~ble advisory opinion on the COMINT aspect and refer the report 

to the Secretary of De.f'ense for consideration on the releasability or 

it;:s non-COMINT aspects. 

The ACTH~ CHAIRMlN\Sfi.id _!;bat that had been the intent of his 

original proposal and aslced f'or the views o~ other members. 

MR. SHEIDON suggested that in view of the time element the COMIN'l' 

aspects might be sent while the other aspects are being further cionsidered. 

GENERAL CANINE expressed·opposition to the idea ~f' splitting the 

Report. 

There followed a discussion of the feasibility of splitting the 

Report and the possibility of such action havihS an adverse effect on 

future scientific advice owing to the implication that such action ~ght be taken as impugning Dr. Robertson's scientific integrity. 

GENERAL CANINE said he asked Dr. Robertson about this very poip.t. 

Dr. Robertson, he said, had taken the view that the COMINT aspects 

were inseparable from the whole and he, General Canine; was inclined 

to agree. · 

Arter some further discussion or possible courses of' action and 

how they should be phrased to represent properly the opinion.of the 

Board, it was agreed that the Board would approve the release of the 

COMINT aspects and, recognizing that certain aspects are beyond the 

cognizance ot the Board, it would direct the Director, NSA to submit 

the Report to the Secretary or Defense for review of those aspects. 

DECISIQlf: (13 August 1954) USCIB approves the release to Canadian 

COMINI' authorities of the COMINT aspects of the NSA Scientific Advisory 

Board Report entitled "The Potentialities of COMIN!' for Strategic 

Warning" as expurgated by the Director, NSA and circulated under 

cover ot tSCIB .3.5/3. However, tSCIB recognizes that there are 

certain aspects of this Report that are beyond llSCIB1 s·competence to 

decide and it~therefore directs that the Director, NSA submit the 

remaining portions to the Secretary of Defense for consideration of 

those aspects. 

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