442. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications of the National Security Council (Orrick) to the Executive Committee of the National Security Council1
SUBJECT
- Final Report of the Sub-committee on Communications
Submitted herewith (Tab A)2 is the final report the Sub-committee on Communications of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council. This Sub-committee was established by National Security Action Memorandum No. 201 of October 26, 1962, which stated that “It shall be the responsibility of this subcommittee, under the direction of the Executive Committee, to ensure the establishment of a national communications system which will make the worldwide communications available to the United States Government as prompt, reliable, and secure as possible.”3
Scope of Sub-committee’s Activities
For several weeks following the issuance of NSAM No. 201, the Sub-committee met in continuous session. The initial phase of its activities was concerned with an appraisal in detail of existing communications facilities, an identification of major deficiencies, and the issuance of directives for the expeditious carrying out of the required improvements. The Sub-committee then turned its attention to an intensive examination of ways in which longer-range improvements could be achieved through the upgrading of existing facilities or new installations.
The Sub-committee’s decisions and objectives were embodied for the most part in the form of “action directives,” and 125 such directives were issued. Within a relatively short time substantial progress was realized with respect to solving some complicated technical, administrative and diplomatic problems. As of this date, 97 of the actions requested have been completed. Thus, 78 percent of the specific measures directed by the Sub-committee have been taken. Most of the remaining directives involve actions which are not scheduled for completion until later in 1963 or in 1964.
Areas of Major Improvement
Particularly noteworthy is the marked improvement brought about in the facilities for communicating with Latin America, the lack of [Page 1002] which loomed so large in the crisis that gave rise to the establishment of the Sub-committee. In Latin America, and at most key posts in other areas, a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week communications response capability is now in being. “On-line” cryptographic equipment has been installed, or planned, for all major diplomatic missions and will result in providing more rapid, reliable and secure communications. Slower, but measurable progress has been witnessed in the construction of the European and Trans-Mediterranean tropospheric scatter systems, as well as in communications improvements in other areas of the world.
Programs for improving relay and switching centers at key points throughout the world have been initiated. Major steps have also been taken to improve radio transmitting equipment and to obtain, where necessary, transmitting rights for US embassies in foreign countries so that improved communications or emergency back-up facilities will be available. Under the auspices of the NSC Sub-committee a special working group has completed a study of the potential impact of the communications satellites on a national communications system. In addition, the following basic reports resulting from Sub-committee directives have been completed: (1) acceptability of certain “off-line” cryptographic systems, (2) physical and technical security problems and precautions, and (3) manpower requirements resulting from the actions of the NSC Sub-committee.
Secure communications facilities among top officials in Washington have been expanded and studies have been completed for the installation of still more sophisticated equipment. The Department of State message precedence system has been revised to ensure conformity with that employed by the Department of Defense and CIA.
The work of the Sub-committee, briefly summarized above, is described in more detail in the enclosed Final Report.
Remaining Issues To Be Resolved
There remain a few problems of major importance to be solved:
- (1)
- The extent to which separate Defense, State or CIA communications centers at Foreign Service posts abroad can be consolidated or centralized;
- (2)
- Budget planning for and financing of the national communications system; and,
- (3)
- The question of “privacy,” which includes the need for a thorough review of the present systems for allocation of available circuits to various governmental users.
These issues are discussed at greater length on pages 13–14 of Tab A.
Recommendation
The most pressing immediate requirement, however, is to proceed with the creation of a permanent organizational framework for a national [Page 1003] communications system, upon which the solution of these remaining major problems depends. To provide for such a framework, a draft National Security Action Memorandum is enclosed (Tab B). This memorandum proposes the designation of the Director of Telecommunications Management as Special Assistant to the President for Telecommunications and of the Secretary of Defense as Executive Agent for the NCS, each with specific responsibilities as set forth therein.
The Sub-committee urges strongly that the Action Memorandum be approved at the earliest possible date.
The Sub-committee notes that the position of Director of Telecommunications Management is now vacant. The Sub-committee is unanimously of the opinion that the issuance of the above-mentioned Action Memorandum need not, and should not, await the filling of the above position. Moreover, it recommends that every effort be made to fill this vacancy at the earliest possible date to permit the newly designated Special Assistant to the President for Telecommunications to assume his responsibilities expeditiously.
The Sub-committee is in disagreement on one point. Three participants4 recommend that the Sub-committee on Communications continue in existence to give policy direction to the NCS until the future Special Assistant to the President for Telecommunications notifies the Sub-committee that he is ready to assume his responsibilities. This majority recommendation stems from the following considerations: (1) NSAM No. 201 placed responsibility on the Sub-committee to ensure the establishment of an NCS; (2) a serious gap in the organizational structure of such a system would initially result if the Sub-committee is dissolved before a Special Assistant to the President is appointed; (3) the functions of the Sub-committee would not, therefore, be wholly fulfilled; and (4) in any event, the Sub-committee could serve a useful purpose in the interim as a means through which over-all policy guidance could be obtained, and as a forum to air any interagency differences which might arise.
Two members5 consider that, with the issuance of the Action Memorandum, the Sub-committee should be dissolved. This view is set forth in the enclosed statement of the Vice Chairman, Lt. General Starbird (Tab C).
Chairman
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, NSAM No. 201, Box 339. Secret.↩
- None of the tabs is printed.↩
- Document 438.↩
- Deputy Under Secretary of State Orrick, Sub-committee Chairman; Dr. William O. Baker; Dr. David Z. Robinson. [Footnote in the source text.]↩
- Lt. General Alfred D. Starbird, Sub-committee Vice Chairman; [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. [Footnote in the source text.]↩