24 

USCIB: 29.20/7 

13 May 1955 

E03.3(h) (2) 

'l9P En!i6ffi!llf PL St~36/50 USC 3605 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE MEMBERS OF USCIB: 

Subject: 

Reference: USCIB 2J}.20/6, 4 May 1955. 

1. Enclosure 1, a memorandum from the Secretary, LSIB on the above 

subject, and enclosure 2, informal views of SUSLO, London on LSIB intentions with regard to enclosure 1, are forwarded herewith. 

2. Owing to the fact that this matter has broad implications with 

regard to U.S. COMINT relations with other NATO countries as well as 

with West Germany, it is requested that the members be prepared to discuss 

the enclosures as an additional item of the agenda for the 115th meeting of USCIB. 

Enclosures 

1. MOi:i/Li.5S9 dtd 10th May 1955. 

2 SUSLO, London MSG LW 399. 

' 

USCIB: 29,,i<J/7 

aptain, U. • Navy 

.,,,E.K:84!ruti ve Secretary, USCIB 

Declassified and approved for release by NSA on 05-16-2014 pursuant to E.O. 1352e 

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Ta2ESFJlRJ:l\JR~~ Ji.INT SERVICES MISSION 

MAIPNAVY BUILDING 

WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 

M.OP/4589 loth May 1955 

MEMORANDUM. FOR THE EXECUTIVE SECRE'£ARY, USCIB 

Subject: Future Status of U.K. Sigint Units in W. Germany 

I have been asked by the Secretary, LSIB, to pass you the 

following message: 

"In connection with the restoration of West Germ.an Sovereignty 

as from 5th May 1955 LSIB has considered the future status of U.K. 

Sigint Units in West Germany and intends to take the following 

action: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

To place all U.K. Sigint Units in West Germany in the order 

of battle of U.K. Forces contributed to SACEUR1s command: 

To inform. the West German Government through the British 

Ambassador, in general terms, of the size location and purpose 

of these units: 

To inform A.C. of S. (I) SHAPE of the action being taken at 

a) above. 

112. As regards a) LSIB has been advised that, juridically as far 

as concerns NATO, the units must either be placed under SACEUR's 

formal command or be specifically exempted from that command by the 

North Atlantic Council. The Board thinks it essential to legalise the 

position vis-a-vis SACEUR and considers that its proposed course of 

action will achieve this with least difficulty and least publicity. 

The units will be placed on the same footing as other U.K. forces 

which in time of war would come under the direct control of SACEUR. 

113. As regards b) the West Germans are already aware of the existence 

and purpose of one U.K. Sigint unit in Germ.any, the tasks of which are 

primarily ELINT, and it is thought certain that they must have deduced 

the existence and purpose of the others. Nonetheless LSIB considers 

it prudent to advise the West German Government formally in order to 

assure their general cooperation from the outset and to forestall any 

difficulties which they may raise now or later about the retention of the 

units in situ. 

114. In informing A.C. of $.(I) SHAPE as at c) LSIB will stress that 

in peace time the units will remain under national control. 

115. LSIB would welcome any views which USCIB may have on this matter 

and would be grateful to know whether USCIB proposes ta.king similar 

action." PL s6-36/5o use 3605 
'i'OP SEiem!i'i' l!iIBm 

P 1114¢7Z (MAY 1955) 

FM SUSLO, LONDON 

TO EXEC SECTY USCIB 

INFO DIRNSA 

LW 399. 

1. YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED BY NOW THROUGH SUKLO LSIB PLAN FOR FUTURE 

OF UNITED KINGDOM SIGINT UNITS LOCATED IN SOVEREIGN WEST GERMANY. 

2. AS ERIC JONES HAD PREVIOUSLY INFORMALLY ADVISED ME (LW 314 REFERS), 

ALTHOUGH HE CAN NOT BE lQll,.D TO IT, THAT 11BUT IN ANY CASE IT IS HIS 

INTENTION TO HAVE BOARD J'O BOARD CONSULTATION SO EACH SIDE FULLY 

AWARE OTHER SIDE ACTIONS", I ASKED SECRETARY LSIB IF ACTIONS 

A, B AND C OR ANY ONE OF THnl HAD ACTUALLY BEEN TAKEN OR WAS IT LSIB 

INTENTION WAIT FOR USCIB COMMENT PRIOR TAKING ANY ACTION. 

3. WHILE CERTAIN IN MY OWN MIND LSIB WAS PLANNING PROCEED ON OWN 

TIME TABLE IRRESPECTIVE CCMMENT FROM USCIB, PERRIN REPLIED NO ACTION 

TAKEN YET AND WOULD BE MOsr GRATEFUL RECEIVE USCIB COMMENTS SOONEST, 

PREFERABLE BEFORE TAKING THE 3 STEPS OUTLINED IN MEMO TO YOU. 

4. WHILE ALL ABOVE UNOFFICIAL IT GIVES YOU A MODEST AMOUNT OF TIME 

MAKE OTHER PROPOSALS, IF USCIB DEEMS WORTHWHILE, PRIOR TO ACTION BY 

UNITED KINGDOM AUTHORITIES. 

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