Foreign Relations of the United States, 1945–1950, Emergence of the Intelligence Establishment

116. Letter From the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Hoover) to the Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs (Braden)⁰

Washington, July 22, 1946.

My Dear Mr. Braden: I am informed that a circular wire was sent to all Ambassadors in Latin America by the State Department concerning the plans of the Central Intelligence Group for taking over intelligence coverage in Latin America and the withdrawal of the FBI from that field.¹ I have noted that the Ambassadors were informed that in view of the forthcoming taking over by the new organization on a world-wide basis, it is my opinion that all FBI personnel be withdrawn from Latin America. I wish to advise that this is not entirely accurate. When the Federal Bureau of Investigation secured its appropriation for the operation of the Special Intelligence Service in Latin America during the fiscal year 1947, the Central Intelligence Group did not have a field operating unit and it was not understood that they planned to set up such a unit. Upon learning of the issuance of the directive by the National Intelligence Authority authorizing the Central Intelligence Group to set up a field force for the purpose of securing intelligence on a world-wide basis, I wrote General Vandenberg, the head of Central Intelligence, inquiring as to whether the Federal Bureau of Investigation should withdraw from the Latin American Intelligence field. General Vandenberg advised that it was the desire of the Central Intelligence to take over the Latin American coverage and it was, of course, necessary for me to make immediate plans for the withdrawal of the FBI personnel now in Latin America.²

I have also noted that the Ambassadors were informed by the State Department that a gradual transfer is being proposed of intelligence coverage from the FBI to the CIG, perhaps with absorption of some of the present FBI personnel into the new Central Intelligence organization. I must advise that there is no understanding or agreement with regard to the transfer of FBI personnel to the CIG and I cannot acquiesce in any such transfer as there is an urgent need for the trained personnel in Latin America in connection with the discharge of FBI responsibilities within the United States.

With best wishes and kind regards,

Sincerely yours,

J. Edgar Hoover

0. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Decimal File 1945–49, 101.5/7–2246. Personal and Confidential.
1. Not found.
2. Document 115.