February  17,   19 W 
National   Security  Decision  tfcmorandnm  40 
t>-io 
TO: 
The  Secretary  of  State 
,  The  Secretary  of  Defence 
The  Director  of  Central  Intelligence 
SUBJECT:   Responsibility  for  the  Conduct,  Supervision  and 
Coordination  of  Covert  Action  Operations 
I  have  determined  that  it  is  essential  to  the  defense  and  security 
of  the  United  States  and  its  efforts  for  world  peace  that  the 
overt  foreign  activities  of  the  U.S.  Government  continue  to  be 
supplemented  by  covert  action  operations. 
By  covert  action  operations  I  mean  those  activities  which,  although 
designed  to  further  official  U.S.  programs  and  policies  abroad,  are 
so  planned  and  executed  that  the  hand  of  the  U.S.  Government  is  not 
apparent  to  unauthorized  persons *  - 
The  covert  actions  of  the  U.S.  Government  abroad  shall  be  subject 
to  coordination  and  control  by  the  Director  of  Central  Intelligence. 
All  such  covert  action  operations,  unless  otherwise  specifically 
assigned  by  the  President,  shall  be  carried  out  by  the'Central 
Intelligence  Agency.  The  Director  of  Central  Intelligence  shall  be 
responsible  for  assuring  that  covert  action  operations  are  planned 
and  conducted  in  a  manner  consistent  with  U.S.  foreign  and  military 
policies,  and  for  consulting  with  and  obtaining  appropriate  coordi- 
nation from  any  other  interested  agencies  or  officers  on  a  ncec-to- 
.  know  basis.   The  Director  of  Central  Intelligence  shall  obtain 
"policy  approval  for  all  major  and/or  politically  sensitive  covert 
action  programs-  through  The  40  Committee. 
The  40  Committee  as  presently  constituted  consists  of  the  Assistant 
.  to  the  President  for  National  Security  Affairs  as  Chairman,  the 
Attorney  General,  the  Under  Secretary  of  State  for  Political  Affairs, 
the  Deputy  Secretary  of  Defense,  and  the  Director  of  Central 
Intelligence. 
,  The  Director  of  Central  Intelligence  will  be  responsible  for  insuring 
an  .imui.il  review  !iy  The  40  Couu.iiUoe  of  all  covert  action  programs 
previously  approved. 
.    ^
•2- 
Also  subject   co  .The  4Q  Cosnittcc's   policy  '  rev ic-r  end  specific 
operational  =ission  approval  arc   the   follcuir.^   procrc:iis   origina- 
ting  In  chc   Department  of  Defense:      the  monthly  Joint  Reconnais- 
sance Center  Schedule,   
Furthermore,  any  proposals   for  covert  activities  or  operations 
froa  agencies  nnt  represented  en  The  40  Coccittcc   shall  be 
subject  to  that  comi tree's  approval  unless  otherwise  directed 
by  the  President*  .  -  . 
•    ••  .  • 
-  •  ••«  «  • 
Covert  action  operations  shall  include  any  type  of  activity 
necessary  to  carry  -out  approved  purposes  except  that  they  will 
not  include  arsad  conflict  by  regular  military  forces,   or  cover 
acd  deception  for  active  oilitary  operations,  fay  rhe.  arsed  forces 
-of ."  the  United  States.  '. '^        v-     .•"";"'•.      *-*'-    :    - 
Tiiis  directive  supersedes  and  rescinds  NSC  5412/2, 
cc;     The  Attorney  General 
.  The  Assistant  to  the  President 
..for  National  Security  Affairs 
     r-