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'POP RQR':Si ElIBEiR = l:J.S. Er.ii!IS ONLY TEMil'ATIIE .p, N ~L 

SUBJECT NUMBER 

USCIB: 9.2/'32 

Subject: 

Item 2 of the Agenda for the 24th Meeting of USCIBEC, 

held on 28 January 1955. 

COMINT Capability to Provide Early Warning of CHICOM 

Attack on Formosa. 

THE CHAIRMAN reviewed briefly recent developments, stating that while 

he was discussing the proposed memorandum for the Special Committee with 

the USCIB Chairman (who was reluctant to sign it without further study), a 

new a.apect of the problem arose in a concurrent discussion between the 

USCIB Chairman and the OSD member of USCIB. This s.spect, which changes 

materially the completion of the whole problem, he said, concerned 

Governmental agreement (State-Defense) to place on Formosa. a Bomb Wing and 

sane 400 s~rting llSAJer···.s· ... o. n. nel (the 327th CRC) without· prior concurrence of I _ _ It was the Chairman 1 s opinion that this creates 

a new atniosp ere in 'Whi USCIB II4ght be able to reach unanimous agreement 

on a memorandum for the Secretary or De!~!lse, rather than for the Special 

Committee. He suggested, further, that anadb.()C committee of representatives from State, CIA, and Defense prepare such a memorandum for USCIB 

approval. EO 3.3(h)(2) 

PL86-36/50 USC 3605 

MR. GODEL pointed out that such a memorandum. should deal only with 

obtaining additional information and should avoid reference.to base rights. 

THE CHAIRMAN agreed, commenting that the basic need is for recommendations acceptable to all members which will permit an approach by Admiral 

Stump to Chiang as directed by the Secretary or Defense. 

CAPTAIN AGNEW suggested that the records show that even if\the NSA 

Unit being transferred to Formosa were now in operation it would\not, in 

all robabilit be able to rovide the ear inf orm.ation 

MR. GODEL said that the memorandum being considered would negate any 

objection on the basis tha& base rights are being prejudiced by an 

approach. He stated further his belief that there is much to be gained 

by foregoing plans to send a split report to the NSC and askin the 

Secretar:- of Defense to arran e for an a roach. 

MR. PACKARD, referring to the question of base rights, expressed hj.s 

view that that problem could ri.ot help but be aff eoted by the reported 

action to place U.S. personnel on Formosa. 

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USCIB: 9.2/32 

THE CHAIRMAN stated that it is not intended to imply that there will 

be no effect on base rights negotiations, but, rather, that the effect 

on such negotiations by an approach tol fs now considered in a 

completely different light. 

MR. PACKARD agreed, stating that his Department will continue to 

negotiate for base rights under the original specifications. He said he 

would be interested to know whether the NSA estimate 

-------..,....c.r-=ema.=i=n:::s:......,···_·e same now that the NS people will be on the 

scene. If suchl lif3 still considered an urg.ent requirement, he 

said, his superiors' views ori st~ps recommended by th.e minority of the 

Board remain unchanged. 

THE CHAIRMAN stressed the importance o.f'eal"ly action ii'/an approach 

to Chiang is to be made, and based upon this, he suggested that a single 

set of recommendations calculated to be acceptable to ~;,or the members 

of the Board be drafted without delay. •••• > /~~ iE>~1~~~~ USC 3605 

!'iR. PACKARD, having stat~g. his 9.tficial :position, said that he felt 

that reference to t~e.Speei~~ . .Qommittee "Wguld be time-consuming and 

perhap, unrieces .. s····a·· zy. • )I~ al.so sta···t····ed :tiis opinion that an...... approach to 

) ~on al _Jbasis might···· well be met with a requ.·est, or demand, for .... r_.....,,...,.......,.....-....,,..k He stated, further, his belief that an approach may well 

result in a further delay pf base rights negotiations. 

On the subject. oi' terms of reference for an ad hoc committee, 

MR. GODEL reC()J'.lllilended that the Board tell the Secretary of Defense that, 

in its una.riilll.ous opinion, an approach through military channels to I J.hould be made in an effort to obtain greater general cooperation 

rrom ,; , with the understandjng that the yerson '"!'kjng the approach is 

well aware of our specific interest in the li'ield. 

MR. PACKARD said that his Department would not veto such an 

approach, adding, however, that if any aspect of the approach concerned 

the withholding of goods or services his Department would have to have 

such conditions spelled out in detail for study in advance of any 

commitment by State to accede to such a recommendation. 

THE CHAIRMAN suggested that the ad hoc corranittee endeavor to come up 

with recommendations for a persuasive approach. 

LT. COLONEL HARROLD commented upon the advantageous position we now 

enjoy in Formosan negotiations in view of the location there of the lath 

Bomber Wing and the expected arrival of the 327th CRC. He said that he 

favored the recommendation made by Mr. Godel. 

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USCIB: 9. 2/32 

After a brief further discussion, THE CHAIID'.IAN asked if all were 

agreed that recent events appear to obviate the necessity for a repor~ to 

the Special Committee and that an ad hoc committee should proceed with 

the drafting of a letter to the Secretary of Defense asking that an 

approach through military channels to! lbe made, in an 

atmosphere of persuasion, in an effor to obtain an r ..... rtinent early warning intelligence specifically! believed to be 

a.vailabie. 

The members were in general agreement, whereupon it was agreed that 

the ad hoc committee should consist of representatives\of the Departments 

of State and Defense, the CIA and the NSA. The representatives appointed : ~: ::E organizations were, respectively, Messr~.· .. ·.···.· .. ····· .... Packard, Patton, d Buffham. It was agreed, further, that the ad hoc report 

d rded directly to USCIB for consideration. 

THE CHAIRMAN then asked for comments on the reports\ submitted by the 

State Department (USCIB 9.2/26) and the Central Intelligence Agency 

(USCIB 9. 2/27). 

The members discussed these reports briefly, ultimatt:!ly agreeing to 

note their contents, with the understanding that the NSA, Army, and 

Air Force members would meet to agree upon an interpretation of the footnote contained in the report by the Department of State member. 

DECISION: (28 January 1955) USCIBEC agreed: E03.3(h)(2) 

PL 86..,36/50 USC 3605 

(1) That recent developments appear to obviate the need f'or. asplit 

report to the Special Committee and that unanimous approval of' the Board 

should be sought for a proposal to have CINCPAC approach 

in an atmos here of persuasion in the li ht of resent 

(2) To appoint an ad hoc committee composed of representatives of 

the Department: of State (Mr. Packard) and Defense (Mr. Patton), the CIA I I and NSA (Mr. Buffham) to draft a specific proposal to be 

sent d1rect1J7' o USCIB for approval, and, upon approval, to the Secretary 

of Defense from USCIB. 

OGA 

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