65. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Smith to the Chairman of the Interdepartmental Intelligence Conference (Hoover)1

SUBJECT

  • Need for Specific Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Information

Your memorandum of 28 February 1951,2 outlining the need for specific intelligence and counter-intelligence information on the part of the Interdepartmental Intelligence Conference, was handed to us on 22 March 1951 by Major General Bolling. This Agency realizes that the type of information which you describe is becoming more and more necessary and vital to the internal security of the United States, appreciates your action in specifying the types of information desired by your Committee and welcomes the opportunity to comment on the problem you have presented.

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In our overseas operations our ability to achieve satisfactory results in the fields of interest to the IIC depends in some areas upon obtaining the cooperation of local intelligence and security organizations. These local organizations have, in varying degrees, useful information on the specific targets listed in your memorandum. We could secure more information from these local agencies if we were able, within the limits prescribed by the primary requirements of our own security, to work out an exchange of information and to furnish them on a basis of reciprocity some information on these subjects developed within the United States.

Furthermore, we could more effectively address the work of this Agency to the targets set out in your memorandum if there were a closer coordination of the intelligence on Soviet controlled espionage activities abroad and the intelligence on such activities in this country.

To this end, the CIA would be glad to consider with the IIC agencies the desirability of designating a CIA liaison representative to attend meetings of the IIC or to serve as a member of a working group of the IIC in order to facilitate the exchange of information which will be mutually helpful.

Walter B. Smith
3
  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry, Job 80–B01731R, Box 29. Secret.
  2. Not found.
  3. Printed from a copy that indicates Smith signed the original.