811.20200(D)/11–348
The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices 1
The Acting Secretary of State refers to the information and educational exchange programs and in particular to the Department’s instruction of July 20, 19482 concerning United States information policy with regard to anti-American propaganda.
Attention is directed to paragraph 6 of enclosure one of the reference instruction wherein it is stated that, within the framework established by the full text of both enclosures, one of the objectives of the information policy with regard to anti-American propaganda is: “To gain acceptance, among the people of third countries, of the truth about the policies and actions of the USSR and its satellites with a view to strengthening opposition to the USSR and to Communist organizations.” Attention is also directed to paragraphs 6 and 9 of enclosure two of the reference instruction wherein it is stated that in the information program: “We should expose Soviet policies and actions that directly or indirectly jeopardize the interests of third countries, their independence or the aspirations of free men in those countries … and “We should expose the discrepancy between professed Soviet and Communist aims and actual Soviet and Communist practices on all major issues which illustrate the distinction between democratic and totalitarian government …”
In order to assist officers in the field responsible for the information and educational program to implement the above objectives, the Department is prepared to provide such officers, on a continuing basis, with factual studies specifically aimed at exposing discrepancies between professed Soviet aims and actual Soviet practices.
These studies are prepared by a special section of the Office of Intelligence Research of the Department, in consultation, with other appropriate offices of the Department and in accordance with suggestions of the Embassy in Moscow. These studies are based on concrete and documented sources, liberally using quotations from Soviet sources. They avoid a polemical tone, and hold editorializing to a minimum, on the assumption that the evidence alone is more effective than argumentation. Subject matter of the studies is selected primarily in accordance with current developments in Soviet policies and activities. Each study is complete in itself, though most are related to a few important central themes. Besides their primary purpose in implementing the information program, it is hoped that they will be helpful to the members [Page 652] of the mission for their own information and to enable them more effectively to present an informal point of view in their local contacts.
Copies of the first several numbers in the series of studies are enclosed both for immediate use, if appropriate, and to serve as examples of the scope and nature of the entire project. Others will be forwarded as prepared.
The studies may be used by Information Officers and other members of the Mission at their own discretion for best effect. In order to avoid defeating our purposes, however, officers are urged to use reserve and discrimination, it being particularly desirable to avoid any widespread knowledge that US agencies are engaging in this activity.
The Department will appreciate suggestions and comments, to be submitted by cable at the earliest possible date, regarding the entire project, the materials enclosed, and subjects for future studies peculiarly appropriate for dissemination in particular areas. General and specific reports concerning the use made of the studies should be included in the regular monthly reports of USIS offices.
Enclosures: Soviet Affairs Notes3—
- 1.
- The “New” Soviet Housing Law.
- 2.
- Legal Penalties for Refusal of Soviet Officials to Return from Abroad.
- 3.
- The Soviet World Outlook; a Handbook of Quotations from Soviet Sources.
- 4.
- Enter Communists—Exit Boy Scouts.
- 5.
- Soviet Troops Make Ready to Withdraw from Korea.
- 6.
- Vyshinsky’s Disarmament Proposal.
- 7.
- The Soviet Standard of Living.
- 8.
- How Well Off is the Soviet Worker.
- (1)
- Work Time Required in the USSR and Great Britain for the Purchase of Certain Consumers’ Goods;
- (2)
- Work Time Required in the USSR and Sweden for the Purchase of Certain Consumers’ Goods;
- (3)
- Work Time Required in the USSR and Belgium for the Purchase of Certain Consumers’ Goods.
- 9.
- Soviet Claims for Priority in Scientific Discoveries.