341. Memorandum for the Record0

SUBJECT

  • Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Group (CI)
  • 2:30 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 1963

PRESENT

  • Mr. Johnson vice Governor Harriman, Mr. Bell, Mr. McCone, Mr. Forrestal, Mr. Wilson vice Mr. Murrow, Mr. Bundy vice Mr. Gilpatric, General Krulak vice General Taylor, Mr. Nolan vice The Attorney General
  • Mrs. Bracken was present for Item No. 1.
  • Ambassador Young and Mr. Hannah were present for Item 2.a.
  • Mr. Kattenburg was present for Item No. 3.
  • Mr. Maechling was present for the Meeting.

1. Progress Report on the Internal Defense Plan for Iran1

Mrs. Bracken, Director, Office of Greek, Turkish and Iranian Affairs, Department of State, reviewed for the Group the quarterly report and commented that progress is being made in programs related to internal security. This report and later developments indicate a more favorable situation in Iran than previously reported to the Group. The recent parliamentary elections were peacefully conducted. Although land distribution has slowed down, it has not stopped. Progress is being made to resolve problems in the economic area and steps are being taken to stimulate the economy. As no clearly identifiable threat to internal security exists, it is believed that the insurgency threat in Iran is now more in the latent rather than incipient stage.

Mr. Johnson observed that during his recent trip to Iran, he was concerned over the heavy reliance placed on the Shah.

Mr. Bundy stated that although this report indicates favorable progress, we should recognize that problems still exist, as much remains to be done in programs to increase the effectiveness of both police and military [Page 742] forces. Mr. Bell added that although the insurgency threat could be called latent, it remains explosive.

Mr. Bell reported that he is discussing independently, with State, the advisability of sending a team to Iran to assess the land reform program. In commenting on police programs, he said that the question of supporting the “Commando Brigade” of the National Police has not been resolved as the status of this request from the Government of Iran is still not clear.

Mr. Bell questioned the accuracy of the reference made in the State memorandum on the status of the outstanding loan application for the Iranian portion of the CENTO-Turkey-Iran rail link. He stated that this is a complicated issue, including legal ramifications, and is still under review by both DOD and AID.

The Group approved the County Team’s quarterly progress report for planning purposes as qualified by the State memorandum.

[Here follow items 2a, 2b, 3, and Miscellaneous concerning unrelated matters.]

James W. Dingeman
Executive Secretary
Special Group
(CI)
  1. Source: Department of State, Special Group, Counterinsurgency Files: Lot 68 D 451. Secret. Drafted by Dingeman and circulated to the Special Group on October 21 under cover of a memorandum from Moor.
  2. The Iran Country Team’s third quarterly progress report on the Internal Defense Plan for Iran is summarized in an October 14 memorandum by Grant for the Special Group (Counterinsurgency), sent through Harriman. (Ibid.) On October 15, Grant sent a memorandum to Harriman recommending that Harriman propose to the Special Group that Iran be removed from the critical list. An October 22 note attached to the memorandum indicates that the Special Group deferred action on the recommendation “because the whole subject of countries on the ‘critical list’ is going to be reviewed in the near future, together with the question of criteria for criticality.” (Ibid., NEA/NE Files: Lot 68 D 100, POL 23-1-a Internal Defense Plan)