e-news 0 ee! Cea eee ee ee nee een eee en eae neem eee ee Nn NSC pbistry (Permanent File) : } 7 uu EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT eemnembiatiiids NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON MEMORANDUM FOR ALL HOLDERS oF NSC 4 Digi: ke LEE “44 fo iz My de ae ee Fe? or a a ay . ‘ - Aa AL Pursuant to a Tequest from the Department of the Army and with the concurrence of the’ Department of Tre é classification of NSC +s Coordination of Foreign d Information Measures ," is hereby eee caearen i veer ln "Confidential" to- "Restricted. fowngraded from JAMES S. LAY, Jr. Executive Secretary DECLASSIFIED ~ Ratha tewncie) Mista Date; 455 By: NATIONAL SECURITY couNcIL ae me SECERI REET PTOS
NSC 4 . . | COMPRES ai Ibbee December 9, 1947 "7: NOTE BY: THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ; 3. to the ; eo NATIONAL” SECURITY COUNCIL COORDINATION: OF- FOREIGN INFORMATION MEASURES ..., REFERENCES 2 SaNACC 304/11 ee ee we we we oe wee ee we oe we we we we we a ae ae we At ‘its second meeting the National Security Council re- ferred SANACC 304/11 to the National Security Council Starr for revision in the light of the comments at the meeting. The enclosed report has been prepared pursuant to that di- rective, after consultation with representatives of the Departments of State, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, and of the Centrai intelligence Agency. , It is recommended .that the National Security Council approve the enclosed report and authorize its submission to the President, with the recommendation that he approve the "Conclusions" contained therein and direct that they be implemented by all appropriate executive departments and agencies of the U. S, Government under the coordination of the Secretary of State Boe J A _. SIDNEY W. SOUERS 7 Executive Secretary Distribution: The President ; The Secretary of State The Secretary of Defense - The Secretary of the Army The Secretary of the Navy — . The Secretary of the Air Force The Chairman, National Security Resources Board ~ NSC 4
Hse REGTSIRY “(PERMANENT FILE) Nsc_4.. . TNT copy NO. 22 _ _. ae: NATIONAL ‘I 2. December 9, 1947 WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED ers pe, NATIONAL SECURITY -COMISIL | |
Ee ole . December 9, 1947 REPORT BY THE NATIONAL, SECURITY COUNCIL on vate eae “ - ~ eS COORDINATION OF FOREIGN INFORMATION MEASURES “THR PROBLEM . * SA eng se 1. 29 determine what. steps are required to strengthen and coordinate all foreign’ information measures of the U. Ss. wrt wae he: Government in furtherance of the attainment of US national ob- et eee vay aK jectives. | aoe ere “ANALYSIS 2. The USSR is conducting an intensive propaganda cam- péign directed orlmarily against che US end is employing co- ordinated psychological; ‘political and economic measures -de- signed to undermine non-Communist elements in all countries. The ultimate objective of this campaign is not merely to undermine the prestige ofthe US and the. effectiveness of its national policy but to “Weaken and divide world opinion to a. point where ‘effective opposition to Soviet designs is no : longer attainable by political, economic . or military means. In conducting this campaign, the USSR is utilizing all measures teh ome available tec At through satellite regimes, Communist parties, and organizations susceptible to Communist influence, 3. The US is not now employing strong, coordinated in- formation measures to counter this propaganda campaign or to further the attainment of its national objectives. The ex- NSC 4 ee sos em ew
- NSC 4 tension of economic aid to certain foreign countries, particu- larly in Europe, is one of the principal means by which the ~ US has undertaken to defend its vital interests, The nature and intent.of.this aid. and ‘other US contributions to world - peace is unknown to or. mi gunderstood by large segments of the world's ‘population. Thadequate employment of information measures is impairing the effectiveness’ of these undertakings. 4, “None of the existing departments or agencies of the US Government is now charged with responsibility for coordina - ting. foreign | information: measures. in furtherance of the attain- ment of US” national ebjectives. - Upon the Department of State devolves. the principal responsibility, under the President, for the formulation and execution of American foreign policy and the conduct of American foreign relations. | 5. - Facilities’ now existing in the Departments of State, the Army,’ the Navy and the Air Force in the field of foreign . information or which can. be utilized in this field are listed in the Appendix hereto. 7 “CONCLUSTONS : 6. “The present wor). situation requires the immediate. strengthening and coordination of all foreiga information measures of the US Government designed to influence attitudes in foreign countries in a direction favorable to the attainment of its objectives and to counteract effects of anti-US propa-
7. It is considered that the initial steps to implement paragraph 6 above should be designed to provide closer coordi- nation of policies, more “effective integration of existing facilities, “and intensification of foreign infor mation measures. . wee ti. - . - 8. a. The Secretary of State ‘should be charged with . erere ey aa formulating policies for and coordinating the implementation of all information ueasures designed to influence attitudes in foreign countries in a direction favorable ‘to ‘the attain- * ment of US objectives & and to counteract effects of anti-US propaganda. It Ls assumed, that these functions will be exercised by the Assistant Secretary of State for Public | ae Affairs, hereinafter referred to as the Assistant Secre- tary. The Assistant Secretar y should consult with an in- formal group composed of representatives of other appropri- ate departments and agencies. -b. Appropriate departments and agencies should be directed to insure the most effective coordination and utilization of their “eppropriate facilities for the imple - mentation of approved foreign | information policies. c. _ The Assistant Secretary should be assisted by a staff including qualified full-time personnel detailed ‘from each appropriate department or agency. This staff should assist the Assistant Secretary in implementing the policies and plans established by the Secretary of State by: WSC 4
Ro lene ee. (1) Optsaining the most effective utilization - _ and coordination of all federal foreign information facilities; * (2)* “ “Initiating and developing for the approval . | of the Assistant ‘Secretary specific plans and pro- — OB ams designed to influence ‘foreign opinion ina i direction favorable ‘to us interests and ‘to counteract 7 “effects: of Anti-US ‘propaganda. ' 7 9.04 As a matter of priority, the Assistant Secretary should éoordinate the determination of the requirement for funds necessary. to unsure performance of the functions assign- cd in paragraph 8 above, . . 10. The Assistant Secretary should be furnished by the Central Tate litgence Agency with appropriate coordinated foreign “intelligence. . ue The Assistent Secretary should be furnished by the eppropriate departments. with’ classified information necessary for the fulfiliment of his responsibilities. 12. In carrying out the functions assigned in paragraph 8 above, the Assistant Secretary should maintain the closest possible lieison with ‘the State-Army-Navy-Air Force Coordinating “7 Committee. ~ PmmmiquritinGsemesscsy ben - mance Lipebon } 2 NSC 4 2 SES Sarertey LORNDVENESST-
APPENDIX ae LNG FACILITIES IN THE FIELD OF FOREIGN INFORMATION IN THE “DEPARTMENTS OF aoe THE ARMY, THe NAVY, AND THE ALR FORCE 1... Department of State: .. ae oe ‘a, Under the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, the Office of International Information and Educa- tional Exchange coordinates and operates short wave proad- casting, a daily wireless bulletin, documentary films, in- ‘formation libraries and exchenge programs in foreign coun- tries. | b. Public Affairs Officers and Information Officers - in US Missions and ‘Consulates. 2. Depertment of the Army: a. The Chief of Information under the Deputy Chief of Staff coordinates and operates a Public Information Di- vision and a Troop Information and Education Division. The Armed Services' Radio Service, under the latter, is carried on by the Army for the Arny, Navy and Air Fores. " ». Cival Affairs Division. Under this Division the Reorientaticn’ Branch prepares plans, pct ictes and directives to bring about the reorientation and reeducation of peoples of Occupied Areas. In meny ways these activities of the Army paraliel in Occupied Areas the activities of the State Department's Cffice of International Information and Educa- tional Exchange. The Reorientetion Branch maintains a rn -DECLASSIFIEp - ese Auth ° . : ; baer 2 Fon te afk i a: . aS 3s a ae ce eT a NSC 4 pore! BF -5- CONMEDENTEAR. SH RATIONAY, Srcrerpy a
Field Office in New York City. 3. Department of the Navy: 'a. The Division of Public Information, under the executive office of the ‘Secretary of the Navy, has under it the Office < of. Public Relations, . 4, oe es of the n1i"Fonee a. Troop Information and Education Division under thé Deputy Chief of Air Starr for Personnel and Adminis- ' tration. , b. (See 2-2 above.) teas 7 : ( - ABPENDIX