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

429. National Security Council Intelligence Directive No. 10⁰

Washington, January 18, 1949.

COLLECTION OF FOREIGN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DATA

1. Since previous directives made no specific provision for supplying “scientific” and “technological” information other than that required by each IAC agency for its own use, it is, accordingly, determined that, in furtherance of the cooperative policies and procedures enunciated in NSCID No. 2 and any supplements thereto, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 102(d) of the National Security Act of 1947 and for the purpose of providing the U.S. Government and its agencies with the scientific and technological information required from foreign areas in the interests of national security:

a. The Department of State shall have primary responsibility for the collection abroad for all government agencies of information in the basic sciences. The Department of State will also collect information in such additional scientific and technical fields as is necessary to meet the requirements of government agencies other than the National Military Establishment and, when requested, requirements of the National Military Establishment. The Departments of Army, Navy, and Air Force will collect scientific and technological information including basic research when necessary to meet the requirements of the National Military Establishment, utilizing whenever practicable the facilities of the Department of State for collection in the basic sciences. Close collaboration and consultation will be maintained between all scientific representatives at U.S. missions abroad so that all scientific requirements can be satisfied with minimum duplication and maximum utilization of personnel. The scientific representatives of the Department of State shall be available to serve as scientific consultants to the military representatives.

b. The Director of Central Intelligence, in collaboration with pertinent agencies, shall determine those countries which have informational potential in fields of basic and applied sciences, as related to the national security.

c. For the purpose of inducing exchanges with foreign countries, the National Military Establishment shall provide the Department of State with available unclassified information pertaining to the basic sciences.

d. In order to provide for the collection of the data which is the responsibility of the Department of State, the Department of State shall take appropriate measures to obtain the necessary funds from the Congress or from the agencies served, other than the National Military Establishment, and will appoint, as practicable, specially qualified scientific and technical personnel to selected United States Missions for this collection responsibility.

e. In order to provide for the collection of the data which is the responsibility of the National Military Establishment, the Departments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force shall take appropriate measures to obtain the necessary funds from the Congress and will assign as practicable, specially qualified scientific and technical personnel to the staffs of their respective attachés at such United States Missions as may be required for this collection responsibility.

f. The Department of State shall call upon agencies of the government which require scientific or technological information for advice and assistance as may be necessary in connection with the requirements of this directive.

0. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Records of the Executive Secretariat, NSC Files: Lot 66 D 195, NSCIDs. Secret.