Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, National Security Affairs, Volume II, Part 2

S/S–NSC files, lot 63 D 351, NSC 165 Series

Report to the National Security Council by the Executive Secretary (Lay)¹

confidential
NSC 165/1

Washington, October 24, 1953.

Note by the Executive Secretary to the National Security Council on Mission of the United States Information Agency

References:

A.

NSC 165²

B.

NSC Action No. 936³

The National Security Council, the Acting Secretary of the Treasury, the Acting Director, Bureau of the Budget, and the Director, U.S. Information Agency, at the 167th Council meeting on October 22, 1953, adopted the statement of policy contained in the reference report, subject to the changes in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 thereof set forth in NSC Action No. 936. The President has this date approved the statement of policy contained in NSC 165, as amended and adopted and enclosed herewith, with the understanding that the first two paragraphs thereof should be considered as unclassified information.

Accordingly, the enclosure is being referred to the Director, United States Information Agency for implementation.

James S. Lay, Jr.

[Enclosure]

Statement of Policy by the National Security Council

confidential

[Washington, undated.]

Mission of the United States Information Agency

In carrying out its responsibilities in accordance with pertinent statutes and Presidential directives, the U.S. Information Agency shall be guided by the following:

1. The purpose of the U.S. Information Agency shall be to submit evidence to peoples of other nations by means of communication techniques that the objectives and policies of the United States are in harmony with and will advance their legitimate aspirations for freedom, progress and peace.

2. The purpose in paragraph 1 above is to be carried out primarily:

a. By explaining and interpreting to foreign peoples the objectives and policies of the United States Government.

b. By depicting imaginatively the correlation between U.S. policies and the legitimate aspirations of other peoples of the world.

c. By unmasking and countering hostile attempts to distort or to frustrate the objectives and policies of the United States.

d. By delineating those important aspects of the life and culture of the people of the United States which facilitate understanding of the policies and objectives of the Government of the United States.

3. Where considered advisable, and except in the case of operations of the Voice of America, the U.S. Information Agency is authorized to communicate with other peoples without attribution to the United States Government on matters for which attribution could be assumed by the Government if necessary. To assure coordination of communications unattributed to the United States Government, the Operations Coordinating Board will agree upon the principles that will govern such communications. Until such principles are mutually agreed upon, those contained in Foreign Service Information and Educational Exchange Circular No. 4, November 1, 1951 shall govern.

4. This statement supplements and in no way modifies the relationships or responsibilities of the U.S. Information Agency as set forth in the President’s Message to Congress of June 1, 1953, by President’s letter to heads of agencies of June 1, 1953 and related Executive Orders.

1. Copies to the Secretary of the Treasury, to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and to the Directors of the Bureau of the Budget, Central Intelligence, and the United States Information Agency.
2. Dated Oct. 9, not printed. (S/S files, lot 63 D 351, NSC 165 Series)
3. See footnote 3, supra.