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

349. Memorandum for the President of the Discussion at the 14th Meeting of the National Security Council⁰

Washington, July 1, 1948.

[Here follows discussion of agenda items 1–3, U.S. civil aviation policy toward the Soviet Union and its satellites, U.S. position with respect to support for Western Union and other related free countries, and the U.S. position on providing military assistance to nations of the non-Soviet world.]

4. Proposed NSC Intelligence Directive Re “Communications Intelligence” (Memo for NSC from Executive Secretary, same subject, dated June 15, 1948.)¹

Mr. Souers said that the question of legality which he had raised has now been corrected in the proposed Directive. He said that the other question which he had raised involved only a matter of form since no other board had ever been created under the NSC. He stated, however, that, from his point of view, the proposal by the Intelligence Advisory Committee was just as agreeable a solution.

Admiral Hillenkoetter explained the two points of difference. He said that his proposal was to achieve coordination under the aegis of the Director of Central Intelligence but with the unanimous concurrence of the Board. The IAC proposal placed the Board directly under the NSC but required unanimous concurrence, including the Director of Central Intelligence. He said that either solution appeared acceptable. His feeling, however, was that his wording, which was based upon Mr. Souers’ suggestion, was more consonant with the National Security Act of 1947.

Mr. Souers explained that the IAC feels that no one person should be in the position of a single advocate before the Council. He said that the IAC proposal would place the Board directly under the NSC, would require that it operate only on unanimous agreement, would enable it to elect its own chairman, but would require that it come up to the NSC when disagreements arise.

In answer to Secretary Royall, Admiral Hillenkoetter stated that this Directive would not affect a merger of Army and Navy communications intelligence activities.

The National Security Council:²

a. Noted the comments by the Director of Central Intelligence and the Executive Secretary, NSC, that they saw no serious objection to the revisions of paragraphs 1 and 7 of the proposed NSCID recommended by the Intelligence Advisory Committee.

b. Approved the proposed National Security Council Intelligence Directive, subject to amendment of paragraphs 1 and 7 thereof as recommended by the Intelligence Advisory Committee.

Note: The proposed Directive as approved subsequently issued as NSCID 9³ and transmitted to the appropriate Departments and Agencies for information and action.

[Here follows discussion of agenda items 5–7, handling of SANACC papers, atomic warfare policy, and NSC status of projects.]

0. Source: Truman Library, Papers of Harry S. Truman, President’s Secretary’s Files, Subject File. Top Secret. Drafted on July 2.
1. Not found.
2. Paragraphs a–b and the Note constitute NSC Action No. 73. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 273, Records of the National Security Council, Record of Actions, Box 55)
3. Document 435.