Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969–1972

181. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Helms to Secretary of State Rogers¹

Washington, January 22, 1969.

SUBJECT

• President’s Daily Brief

1. The President has today authorized me to send you the President’s Daily Brief. The Brief is designed to give the President a systematic but concise review of the day’s most significant intelligence. It is hand-tailored to his personal needs and he controls its content and its distribution.

2. The Brief is all-source including the most sensitive materials at hand. This in turn requires special handling: the Brief is not permitted to move through normal intelligence channels. Rather, it is delivered directly to your office by my couriers for you personally. The couriers will pick up the previous issue when they deliver; the only files are in my office and the White House. I would appreciate it if you would ask your personal assistant to contact Mr. E. Drexel Godfrey, Director of Current Intelligence, extension 7424, to make arrangements.

3. The only other authorized recipients are the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

4. The schedule of production and delivery is not yet firm. For the next few days we will be printing in the afternoon and the Brief will be available about 1800. We can deliver either in the evening or the following morning, at your convenience.

Richard Helms²

1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry Files, Job 80–R01580R, Box 1, Folder 10, State. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Godfrey on January 21.
2. Printed from a copy that indicates Helms signed the original.