:" 

!OP SEletm PRO'i'H Y •Sa E¥!8 QW:t.Y FINAL 

SUBJECT NUMBER 

USCIB: 2$ .1/11 Item considered at the 98th (Special) Meeting of USCIB, 

held on 7 January 1954. 

Subject: Loan of ROCKEX Crypto System to the Western Germans 

for the Period of the Foreign Ministers' Conference 

(USCIB 29.1/10). 

The CHAIRMAN called the meeting to order and explained that the 

Board had before it a matter of some urgency, the details of which were 

contained in USCIB 29.1/10. He said that it had not been possible to 

resolve the problem by individual contact with the members,, and that the 

State member had asked for this special meeting. 

CAPTAIN TAYLOR informed the Chairman that he had just received from 

Brigadier Tiltman additional information on the subject, which he would 

like to pass on to the members. He distributed copies of the following: 

11TELEnR!t.M FROM DIRECTOR, GCHQ, TO SLO, WASHINGTON, 7 JAN 54. 

1We have not taken any action regarding French during Berlin 

Conference and would welcome action by U.S. 

No further cor.llllents at this stage except to voice two 

thoughts: 

(i) That, if and when offer is actually made, Germans may 

refuse Rockex on grounds of suspicion that we may retain 

duplicate tape. We would do all we could to allay svCh susr)i;cicns 

with special regard to second thought: 

(ii) Seizing opportunity to ascertain by all possible means 

as much as we can of current German crypto prnctices, trends and 

intentions.' 

"The above is in reply to two telegrams from SLO WASHINGTON, the 

second telling Director GCHQ that there was to be an emergency meeting on morning of 7th January, and the first containing the following 

passage: 

1We do not seem to have taken any action regarding French 

ComSec during Berlin Conference. It seemed to me that it would 

be easier for U.S. to take action in view of approach to White 

House for help in connection with Bermuda conference and of 

French request to CIA for help. 1 

/s/ J. H. Tiltman, 7 Jan 5411 

U5CJIB• 2$ .1/11 - 3 -
'i'OP Sf!i0ft:Ii.l'f F'RO'fil B'. 9. HYEiS ONL¥ EO 3.3(h)(2) 

PL 86-36/50 USC 3605 

USCIB: 29.1/11 

The members noted the above information. 

The CHAIRMAN invited Mr. Armstrong to present the views of his 

Department. 

Mr. Armstrong, after expressing the concern of his Department in 

this matter, made the following presentation: 

11The pur,pose of the UK 

reason of a 

II 

USCIB: 29 .l/11 - 4 -

TOP SECRET FROTI I 
'i'OP 6Fl9R::Hl' FRO'i'Il Y. S • E¥E8 GH±X 

USCIB: 29.1/11 

The members held a lengthy and detailed discussion of the implications and possible involvements of the proposed U.K. action, following 

which a draft reply to Brigadier Tiltman, prepared by the Executive 

Secretary, was considered. 

The Board a.lso discussed at some length the im.rlicaticns of French 

communications security during the Berlin Conference and what action, 

if arrr, should be taken by the U.S. in this regard, bearing in mind the 

opening sentence of the 7 January 1954 cormnunication from Brigadier 

Tiltman referred to above. It was agreed that the Board should inform 

the British that we h~d this matter under study and would advise them 

of any action contemplated. In addition, the State Department member,, 

Mr. Armstrong, was asked by the Chairman to assess the risks to the 

success of the Conference and to the security of the U.S. which may be 

e.xpected to arise from the insecurity of French communications and 

report to the Board his views on this matter together with any recommendations he might see fit to make. 

Regarding a specific reply to the U.K. Memorandum (USCIB 29.1/10), 

the Board ultimately agreed that NSA and State representatives would 

meet with the Executive Secretary to amend the draft reply to Brigadier 

Tiltman along lines indicated by the Chairman, based upon the Board's 

discussion. 

DECISION: (7 January 1954) The decision reached by USCIB in this 

matter is reflected in the following memorandum, which was approved by 

the NSA and State representatives as agreed in advance by the Board 

and forwarded to Brigadier Tiltman: 

"MEMORANDUM FOR THE SENIOR U.K. LIAISON OFFICER: 

Subject: 

Reference: 

Loan of ROCKEX to Bonn Government for Use During 

Foreign Ministers' Conference. 

Director, GCHQ Message Number 051420Z/l/54. 

1. The request contained in the reference, which was 

referred to USCIB by the Director, NSA, was considered by our 

Board at a Special Meeting this date. 

2. The Board is unable to perceive what cryptologic 

advantages are to be gained and would appreciate the U .K. view 

in that regard. The proposal raises certain questions in the 

minds of our members, many of which would, no doubt, be 

answered by a more complete statement of the reasons for this 

USCIB: 29.1/11 - 5 -

TOP SECRET FROTI I 
'!'OP SEBRm PRe!H l:J.S. E'IES ONLY 

USCIB: 29.1/11 

move. Our Board would be grateful if you could obtain any 

further information which ce.n be imparted regarding necessity 

for the action, how the approach is to be made, including 

3. With regard to the problem of the security of French 

comrr.unications for the Berlin Conference, USCIB is studying the 

matter further and will advise if any action is contemplated. 

USCIB: 29.1/11 - 6 -

RUFUS L. TAYLOR 

Captain, U. S~/Navy 

Executi v.e Secretary, USCIB" 

EO 3.3(h)(2) 

PL 86-36/50 USC 3605 

TOP SECRET FROTH 

•