Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXXVIII, Part 2, Organization and Management of Foreign Policy; Public Diplomacy, 1973–1976

77. Memorandum by the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)¹

Washington, June 11, 1976.

MEMORANDUM FOR

• The Secretary of State
• The Secretary of Defense
• The Director of Central Intelligence

SUBJECT

• Semi-Annual NSC Intelligence Review

Executive Order 11905 requires the National Security Council to conduct a semi-annual review of intelligence policies, the needs of users of intelligence, the timeliness and quality of intelligence products and the continued appropriateness of special activities in support of national foreign policy objectives. The following guidelines are intended to clarify how these reviews will be conducted.

—The National Security Council review cycle will be geared to the new fiscal year. This timing should help insure that the reviews have the maximum impact on program planning, budget decisions and management policies.

—Prior to each such NSC meeting the Committee on Foreign Intelligence (CFI) will be expected to provide a written report summarizing its activities since the last review (or, in the case of the first review, since its formulation) including identification of major program and budget issues encountered and those anticipated within the next six months. This document will serve as background information for appropriate discussion.

—Prior to each such NSC meeting the Operations Advisory Group (OAG) will be expected to provide a written report on its activities. For this purpose a special reporting format will be developed to help focus on the appropriateness of ongoing special activities and the issues they pose.

—The DCI’s Intelligence Community Staff, in consultation with the NSC Staff, will be expected to assume responsibility for assessing on a continuous basis (a) the requirements of major users of intelligence products and (b) the timeliness and quality of intelligence reporting. The results of this program will be reported to and reviewed at each semi-annual NSC meeting on intelligence matters.

Brent Scowcroft

1. Source: National Security Council, Ford Administration Intelligence Files, Operations Advisory Group (OAG), 30 Jun 1976–17 Jan 1977. Confidential. Copies were sent to the Chairmen of PFIAB and the IOB.