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SUBJECT NUMBER 

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Subject: 

Item 4 o:r the Agenda. for the Fourteenth Meeting o:r 

USCIBEC, held on 2!1 April 1954. 

Emergency Dissemination of CCJUNT to Non-indoctrinated 

Persons (USCIB 13.7/11). 

THE CHAIRMAN. (Captain Taylor) reviewed the background of this item, 

explaining his cover memorandum. (USCIB 13. 7/11) and pointing out the need 

for some changes in the proposed Directive on Emergency and Operational 

Dissemination of COMINT. 

The members connnented at length upon the scope of the terms "British 

Commonwealth of Nations" and "Third Parties". The majority of the 

comments dealt with the feasibility of defining the tenns with a footnote, 

or agreeing upon an appropriate substitute therefor. 

I !suggested consideration of the question of referring 

problems of disguised dissemination and action in the absence of cover to 

USCIB for decision when there is time. 

'!HE CHAIRMAN replied that the proposed Directive is intended to be 

applicable to conditions of both peace and war and that taking action 

during war is a vital part of the Directive. He emphasized the fact that 

the important point is action in the absence of cover. Appropriate 

commanders during war, he continued, should have authority to take proper 

action during emergencies without being required to think about ref erring 

the matter to USCIB for a decision although in peace or quasi-peaceful 

conditions they would be likely to do so without being told. He added 

that he did not think it sound to issue a directive applicable to peacetime without at the same time preparing a suitable one for war. In this 

case, he said, he felt that a Directive that doesn't cover both would not 

be.sound. 

"""I ____ __.I then expressed a desire to hear other views on this 

point. 

MR. POLYZOIDES stated that although this subject is substantially a 

military one, it should not be dealt with solely from a military viewpoint. He pointed out that since we can 1 t define the kind of a war we 

might have and there should not be any question as to what constitutes an 

extreme emergency, the language of the proposed Directive did not appear 

to be unduly restrictive. 

COLONEL TOWNSEND expressed his view that a decision to take action 

is one that no co:mma.nder would take lightly knowing full well the possible 

consequences. He rather leaned toward the academic interpretation of the 

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word "emergency" and felt that the Directive should not be written in 

such a manner that the commander, during an emergency, would be required 

to think about ref erring the matter to USCIB for decision before taking 

action. 

MR. KEAY said that he would like to associate himself with Captain Taylo~ s and Colonel Townsend's views. 

MR. POLYZOIDES pointed out that the Directive did not require the 

commander to come to USCIB for a decision if he felt there was not 

sufficient time to obtain such a decision. 

CAPTAIN AGNEW expressed the view that the proposed Directive was 

unnecessarily complicated and could be best expressed in several short 

Directives rather than one long Directive attempting to cover several 

different conditions and circumstances. 

On the question of whether or not the proposed Directive could be 

made less complicated, the CHAIRMAN explained that the requirements of 

Appendix "B" are a complicating factor and illustrated his point by 

exhibiting and describing a draft proposal he had drawn up himself in 

an attempt to simplify the problem. He said he found it necessarily 

complicated by Appendix 11B11 • The general idea of his proposal, he 

explained, is that the recipient of a particular Category of COMINT 

would have the experience, knowledge and background information to use 

it appropriately otherwise he shouldn't be given it. The names of 

individuals in Washington and commands previously approved by USCIB as 

requiring the COM.INT in question and who might be expected to perceive 

emergencies requiring action would be kept on file. Changes would have 

to be notified to USCIB and actions taken in the absence of cover or to 

disguise COMINT would have to be reported to USCIB which could then 

exercise corrective surveillance. · Otherwise a free hand within the 

limitations of Appendix nB11 would be permitted in his proposals. 

The ensuing discussion indicated a difference of opinion amongst 

the members regarding these proposals. Some felt that the proposed 

Directive could not be simplified and adoption of the Chairman's views 

could result in action being taken by a recipient who would not have 

access to all of the information he would need to arrive at the proper 

conclusion. Others believed that further study of both proposals 

would be worthwhile. Further discussion concluded with the consensus 

that there was general agreement but the matter should be ref erred to 

INTCOM for clarification and changes in accordance with the discussion 

at this meeting. The vlews of each member would be passed on to his 

INTCOM representative for resolution of differences; the rewritten 

version then to be forwarded to USCIBEC members for vote sheet action 

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if differences of opinion could be reconciled. If not, the divergent 

views would be reported to USCIBEC. 

DECISION: (29 April 1954) USCIBEC agreed: 

a. To accept the proposed Directive on Emergency and Operational 

Dissemination of COMINT in principle but to ref er it to INTCOM for 

modification and careful review of: 

(1) Paragraph III Scope. (2) Footnotes 1 and 2. 

(3) Comments by the Executive Secretary contained in 

USCIB 13.7/11 dated 19 April ~954. 

b. Each member to brief his INTCOM representative with respect to 

a position on the proposed Directive so that final action might be 

hastened. 

c. To have INTCOM consider the views of all members and forward a 

revised Directive to the Executive Secretary, USCIB, for vote sheet 

action if unanimity is reached. Otherwise the divergent views are to be 

reported to USCIBEC for resolution. 

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