~-4 

USCIB: 13•7/20 

10 June 1954 

'!'OP SEeR:Ef 

MEMCRANDUM FOR THE li.IE:MBERS OF USCIBI!:C: 

Subject: Emergency Dissemination of COMINT to Non-indoctrinated Persons. 

Reference: USCIB 13.7/11 dated 19 April 1954. 

1. In accordance with the decision of USCIBEC at its 14th Meeting on 

29 April 1954, the proposed directive enclosed with the reference was referred 

back to the Intelligence Committee for reconsideration of certain points raised 

in USCIEE:C. 

2. The INTCCM have now una.rrlJn.ously agreed to the version included with 

the enclosed report of their Chairman. 

3. It is felt that this proposed directive embarks on uncharted waters and 

that certain portions of it may require change in the light o.f experience gained 

in its application. It is therefore recommended that it be approved on a trial 

basis of 1 year from date of approval. 

4. Even though the trial basis recommended in paragraph 3 above may be 

approved, it is further recommended that any approval include deletion of the 

rmrds 11or acting relief" and substj t.ntion therefor of the lrnrds "agent for this 

purpose" in footnote 1 of the proposed directive. It is considered that this 

change will provide the flexibility that experience has taught is required in 

dealing properly with emergencies. 

5. Please indicate your views on the attached vote sheet indicatine specifical~ whether you approve or disapprove of each of the two recommendations set forth above. Vote sheets should be returned to this office prior 

to J200 21 June 1954. 

6. THIS DOCUMENT AND ITS ENCLOSURE COfll"TAIIIS COL1.'U!:r.ICATIOJ\TS INTELLIGr!:NCE 

INFORMATION MD SHALL DE BANDIED ONLY IN CHAi."JKEIS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED ::.<'OR 

-GOltffNT; 

Enclosure 

INT #0001 dtd 9 June 1954. 

USCIB. 13.7/20 

ain, u. • Navy 

cutive Secretary, USCIB 
REF ID:A65815 ~,.,. :rio n r..,., :rio r..,.,., vz o:con:z;;1 

'fOP SEeRi!l'f 

INT # 0001 

9 June 1954 

MmORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, USCIB: 

Subject: Emergency and Operational Dissemination of CCJ.1INT. 

1. The USCIB Intelligence Committee, in accordance with 

USCIBEC decision of 2!J April 1954 (USCIB 13.7/14), carefully 

reviewed the proposed Directive on Emergency and Operational Dissemination of COMINT. This review culminated in unanimous agreement on a revised Directive. INTCCM accordingly recommends 

approval of the enclosed proposal. 

2. THIS DOCT.J}r.LENT AND ITS ENCLOSURE CONTAIN COMMUNICATIONS 

INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION AND SHALL BE HANDLED ONLY IN CHANNELS 

jgpm!iSSJ:i¥ PBOVIBm> FOR 80MIN'f'. 

Enclosure 

Proposed Directive. 

'kl,(!,~·~~ 

/7. C. SIMMONS 

Lt. Colonel, USAF 

Chairman, INTCOM 

REPRODUCTION OF THIS DOCUMENT IN WHOLE 

OR PART IS PROHIBITED EXCEPT WITH PERMISSION OF THE ISSUING OFFICE. 

f'OP SBORBT 
REF ID:A65815 

TfJP SB<lRET e 

USCIB DIRECTIVE NUMBER (CIBD # __ .) 

(Approved by USCIB on ________ .) 

EMERGENCY AND OPERATIONAL DISSEMINATION OF CCMINT 

I. PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Directive is to describe the emergency or 

operational conditions justifying exceptional dissemination of CCMINT 

and to prescribe the levels at which such exceptional dissemination 

may be performed and action taken thereon. 

II. DEFINITIONS 

A. Disguised Cc.MINT - For the purposes of this Directive, 

disguised COMINT is that Category III and II COMINT from which the 

codeword has been removed and the subject matter so worded that the 

information contained cannot be traced specifically to COMINT by nonindoctrinated persons (including foreign nationals). 

B. Suitable Cover - For the purposes of this directive, suitable cover is the existence of substantially similar information 

based upon a genuine, less sensitive source or an actual situation 

wherein the intelligence itself can be attributed beyond reasonable 

doubt to other sources or events by non-indoctrinated persons 

(including foreign nationals). 

Enclosure with INT #0001 dtd 9 June 1954. 

TOPSEGR£T 
REF ID:A65815 

• TQP 8ECRE'F 9 

III. SCOPE 

This directive is intended to apply only to situations involving Nationals of the United States of America and those countries 

which collaborate with the United States in COMINT activities and 

provides for: (a) exceptional, emergency dissemination and use of 

Category III and II COMINT where no suitable cover exists and where 

there is not sufficient time to obtain the decision of USCIB in each 

case in advance; (b) exceptional operational dissemination and use 

of certain specified Category II Plain Text where no suitable cover 

exists; and (c) exceptional dissemination of Category I COM.INT to 

certain allied nationals not included in the scope of this Directive. 

IV. POLICY 

A. Category III COMINT 

1. Upon determination by proper authority, as indicated 

below, that a case of extreme emergency exists, in which there is 

an imminent threat to the vital national interests of the United 

States, justifying exceptional handling of individual items of 

Category III COMINT; such CO:t-lINT items suitably disguised, may be 

disseminated to non-indoctrinated persons and/or action may be taken 

based solel:y on that COMINT. 

- 2 -

Approved by USCIB on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CIBD # -~~~ 

TlJ:P SECRET 
'WP SB0RE'l'" 

REF ID:A65815 

TOP SECJUiT 9 

2. The lowest level of authorityl permitted to determine 

the existence of such an emergency condition are the following2: 

a. Within the military establishment, 

(1) Commander of an Army 

(2) Commander of a Naval Fleet 

(3) Commander of a Numbered Air Force 

b. Secretary of State 

c. Director, FBI 

d. Director of Central Intelligence 

3. The exceptions described in Paragraph 1 above shall be 

made only upon a determination that the advantages to be gained 

clearly justify the risk of compromise of the COMINT source and the 

extent of the loss which would probably follow such a compromise. 

In making this determination, due regard shall be given to: 

. a. The availability of suitable cover. 

b. The relative value of the particular COMINT source 

involved and the possibility that its compromise 

may lead to the loss of other COMINT sources, 

particularly those which are more valuable. In 

this regard, the COMINT support unit should be 

1 This authority is to be exercised. and decisions made personal.ly by 

the incumbent or his duly authorized or acting relief. 

2 Exceptions and limitations to this list shall, in each case, be 

specifically authorized by USCIB. (See Appendix A for current list 

of exceptions and limitations to the above list.) 

- 3 - Approved by USCIB on --------------- CIBD # ---

TO:P SEORB'F 
'POP Sl!l6RE'f 

REF ID:A65815 

f'OP SlffCRET 9 

requested to furnish all pertinent available information that could assist the authority concerned in 

evaluating the effects or possible compromise. 

c. The possible repercussions on current and. future 

operations and also on other commands and areas. 

B. Category II COMINT 

1. Upon determination by proper authority as indicated 

below that a case or emergency exists which ifivolves a matter of 

importance to the national security of the United States (or that 

conditions outlined in Paragraph A. 1. above exist), justifying 

exceptional handling of individual items of Category II COMINT; 

such COMINT items, suitably disguised, may be disseminated to nonindoctrinated persons and/or action may be taken based solely on 

that CCMINT. 

2. The lowest level of authorityl permitted to determine 

the existence of such emergency conditions are the following2: 

a. Within the military establishment, 

(1) Commander of an Army Corps 

(2) Commander of a Numbered ( 11Two-digit 11 ) 

Naval Task Force 

(3) Commander of a Numbered Air Force 

l This authority is to be exercised and decisions made personally by 

the incmnbent or his duly authorized or acting relief. 

2 Exceptions and limitations to this list shall, in each case, be 

specifically authorized by USCIB. (See Appendix A for current list 

of exceptions and limitations to the above list.) 

- 4 -

Approved by USCIB on--------------- CIBD # __ _ 

TOP SECRET 
3. 

REF ID:A65815 

TOP SECRET 9 

b. Department of State Member of USCIB 

c. Director, FBI 

d. CIA Senior Field Representative Eo 3 . 3 (h) (2 ) 

Paragraph A. 3. above applies. 

PL 86.:::36/50 USC 3605 

C. Category II Plain Text (Government,._I __________ ___. 

Plain Text Passed onl.__ _________ ___,Jcircuits) 

1. In non-emergency situations and upon determination by 

proper authority as indicated below, of a matter (subject) of sufficient importance, essential to operations directly related to the 

security of the United States, justifying exceptional handling of 

certain Category II Plain Text as specified from time to time by 

USCIB; such CCMINT on that subject may be included in documents and 

o~erational directives not carrying a C(]J[INT codeword and/or action 

may be taken based solely on that COMINT, provided there is adequate 

reason why the recipients s~ould not be indoctrinated. 

2. The lowest level of authority permitted to make the 

above decision is the USCIB member of each member department or 

agency. 

3. The exceptions described in Paragraph l above shall be 

made only under the following conditions: 

a. All precautions must be taken to ensure that 

COMINT does not thereby come to the knowledge of 

foreign nationals not included in the scope of 

this Directive; 

- 5 .-

Approved by USCIB on --------------- CIBD # ---

TOPSHCRBT 
REF ID:A65815 A 

r"()fl SECRET w 

b. The advantages to be gained are sufficiently 

great to justify the risk to the C<l1INT source; 

c. The infonnation could reasonably be attributed by 

non-indoctrinated persons (including foreign 

nationals) to other sources-agent, attache, defector, 

and the like; 

d. The CQl.IIINT origin of the information is not stated. 

Whenever possible and plausible, the information 

shall be specifically attributed to other sources. 

D. Category I CCJUNT 

1. Upon determination by proper authority that a requirement exists, during active hostilities or in the case of an emergency 

involving a matter of importance to the national security of the 

United States, Category I COMINT may be disseminated to nationals of 

countries who are engaged directly with the United States in these 

hostilities or are allied directly with the United States in dealing 

·with the emergency concerned. 

2. The lowest level of authorityl permitted to determine 

such a requirement are the f ollowing2: 

a. Within the military establishment, 

(1) Connna.nder of an Army Division 

1 This authority is to be exercised and decisions made personally by 

the incumbent or his duly authorized or acting relief. 

2 Exceptions and limitations to this list shall, in each case, be 

specifically authorized by USCIB. (See Appendix A for current list 

of exceptions and limitations to the above list.) 

- 6 -

Approved by USCIB on --------------- CIBD # ___ _ 

TOPS:BGRBT 
!SP SEEJRi:T 

REE ID:A65815 

T<h .... SEOJlE'r ft 

(2) Commander of a Naval Task Group 

(3) Commander of an Air Division 

b. Department of State Member of USCIB 

c. FBI Member of USCIB 

d. CIA Senior Indoctrinated Field Representatives 

serving under USCIB Member 

3. It is recognized that the exceptional dissemination 

authorized above will involve loss of control by COMINT authorities, 

but every effort shall be made to ensure that the following provisions are enforced to the maxim.um extent possible: 

a. Whenever Category I COMINT is to be transmitted by 

a meang exposed to interception, it shall normally 

be transmitted in an appropriate cryptographic 

system. It may be transmitted in plain language 

only when there is no suitable means of secure 

communication available and when there is an urgent 

operational need to do so. Whenever possible such 

plain language transmissions shall be in the form , 

of operational orders so worded that the subject 

matter cannot be traced specifically to its COMINT 

origin. 

b. In taking action based on Category I CO!UNT, care 

shall be taken not to risk the COMINT source 

unnecessarily. Whenever possible, efforts shall be 

made to devise a suitable cover. 

- 7 -

Approved by USCIB on ---=~q::;;~~~~i!:"----- CIBD # --- roP SEGRET 
• 

V. PROCEDURES 

REF ID:A65815 

TO:P 8E617:-ET 9 

A. USCIB member departments or agencies taking action under 

any of the provisions outlined in Paragraph IV. A. or B., above, 

will, in each individual case, immediately furnish a report of such 

action, through appropriate channels to the Executive Secretary, 

USCIB. This report shall contain a statement of circumstances and 

an identification of each individual Cc.MINT item involved. 

B. Wherever Category II Plain Text is used as permitted in 

Paragraph IV. C. above, an immediate report of such use shall be 

made to the Executive Secretary, USCIB. This report will include 

identification of the COl~INT material used. 

C. A copy of such implementing directives as are issued by 

individual USCIB member departments or agencies shall be furnished 

the Executive Secretary USCIB for study and retention. 

D. The Executive Secretary, USCIB, shall infonn other USCIB 

members of action reported in accordance with this directive and, 

in addition, shall infonn foreign CCMINT boards of action reported 

in accordance with Paragraphs IV. A. and B. above. 

- g -

Approved by USCIB on ------------- CIBD # __ _ 

T0 .. 

71 SBGRBF 
• 

.. 

APPENDIX A 

TO 

USCIB DIRECTIVE NUMBER (CIBD #_) 

Currently Approved Exceptions and Limitations to the Lowest Levels of 

Authority. 

A. CA TIDORY III COMINT 

For these purposes the 5th and 7th Independent Air Divisions 

are considered as Numbered Air Forces. 

(Approved by USCIB on ________ ) 

B. CATEGORY II COMINT 

1. For these purposes CIA Senior Field Representative is 

iimi.ted to those Representatives located · 

(Approved by USCIB on _______ _. 

2. For these purposes the 5th and 7th Independent Air 

Divisions are considered as NlDI!bered Air Forces. 

(Approved by USCIB on ________ ,) 

EO 3. 3 I h I I 2 I 

PL 86-36/50 USC 3605 

TOPSEGRET