166. Minutes of a National Security Planning Group Meeting1
SUBJECT
- Review of Covert Action Programs
PARTICIPANTS
-
Office of the Vice President
- Craig Fuller
- Sam Watson
-
State
- John Whitehead
- Michael Armacost
-
DOD
- Secretary Frank C. Carlucci
- Richard Armitage
-
Justice
- Attorney General Edwin Meese
- Douglas W. Kmiec
-
JCS
- General Robert Herres
- Vice Admiral Jonathan Howe
-
CIA
- Judge William Webster
- [name not declassified]
-
OMB
- Joseph Wright
-
White House
- Kenneth Duberstein
- Colin L. Powell
- John D. Negroponte
- Marlin Fitzwater
-
NSC
- Paul Stevens
- Barry Kelly
- Nicholas Rostow
- Mary Henhoeffer
Minutes
[Omitted here are discussions not related to the Soviet Union.]
[Page 1128]Mr. President, the enhancement of the Soviet/East European program under the Memorandum of Notification of 3 August 1987 came at a most opportune time in history. The additional funding is being used to expand the production and distribution of our propaganda material in the Soviet Bloc where glasnost has stirred an unprecedented demand for our books, periodicals, and audio and video material.
We are also giving additional support to groups seeking democratic change, including advanced technology to publish and spread information inside the Bloc. [3 lines not declassified] Here is an underground monthly newspaper ([less than 1 line not declassified] underground newspaper) produced and distributed clandestinely. It is a good example of how modern technology—in this case mini-electronics and computer publishing—is shattering the ability of totalitarian regimes to control the news. (The President commented that the fellow in the [country not declassified] publication looks just like him.)
This simple pamphlet (Russian-language propaganda pamphlet), ostensibly written by the Communist youth organization [1½ lines not declassified], illustrates our ability to participate in the Soviet debate over glasnost. Six thousand copies were infiltrated into the Soviet Union, claiming to support Gorbachev’s reform program, but demanding democratic reforms well beyond what the regime will tolerate. The pamphlet was openly circulated and triggered a KGB investigation. We recently learned that students called in for questioning by the KGB claimed they supported the pamphlet’s message and were involved in circulating it.
Despite the importance of the printed word, Soviet and East European audiences continue to rely on short wave broadcasts from the West for uncensored information. [6 lines not declassified]
I also have a poster (Hungarian poster commemorating the 30th anniversary of the execution of Imre Nagy in 1958) which may not appear significant to us, but to thousands of Hungarians last month, it was a reminder of the 1956 Soviet invasion and the execution two years later of their former Prime Minister, Imre Nagy. [1 line not declassified]. Thousands of copies were displayed in public places and helped draw large crowds to a demonstration in Budapest. This event coincided with a major commemorative ceremony [less than 1 line not declassified]. A distinguished European audience attended the ceremony, which featured the installation of a bronze statue of Nagy secretly cast in Hungary.
[1 paragraph (7½ lines) not declassified]
I am pleased to note that the Soviets appear to have decreased their disinformation activity, and we think this is partly due to our efforts to publicly expose specific Soviet active measures campaigns. [Page 1129] [3 lines not declassified] Soviet defectors are playing a key role by providing us with inside information and by [1 line not declassified].
[Omitted here are discussions not related to the Soviet Union.]
- Source: Reagan Library, System II Files, INT #2 Intelligence Files, 8490035–8890278. Top Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.↩