This expansion is projected to continue further during the coming fiscal
years. By about 1981 it may be back at the level it was at 10–15 years
ago. Its effectiveness is likely to be greater than it was then since
the material available to be used is better and the receptivity in the
target countries greater.
Attachment
Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence
Turner to the
President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)2
Washington, December 15, 1978
SUBJECT
- Progress Report on Publishing and Distributing Literature to
the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
[Page 493]
REFERENCES
A. My Memorandum of 13 March 78; Subject: Support for Russian Emigre
Publishing House
B. Your Memorandum of 18 March 78; Subject: Support for Russian and
East European Book Publishing3
1. Paragraphs 2–5 below summarize the use of the $960,000 [less than 1 line not declassified] earmarked
specifically for an increase in book publishing and distribution to
the USSR and Eastern Europe.
2. The [less than 1 line not declassified]
funds were made available to our major book distribution mechanism
in February 1978. While all the funds were obligated prior to 1
October 1978, the full impact on actual distribution cannot be
measured accurately until well into FY 79, as some of the books
purchased are still in the distribution pipeline. Since our
operational mechanism was largely in place, it was possible to
utilize [dollar amount not declassified]
directly for the purchase and distribution of books. Two preliminary
indicators of the effectiveness of the effort are:(A) 212,000 items
were distributed from 1 July 1977 to 30 June 1978 (115,000 to
Soviets; 97,000 to Eastern Europeans) as compared with a total of
175,000 for the same period the previous year—an increase of 37,000
(21%); and (B) 122,000 items were distributed in the period 1
January–30 June 1978 as compared with 90,000 in the 1 July–31
December 1977 period—an increase of 32,000 (35%). [1 line not declassified]
3. Further to paragraphs 3–5 of Reference A, in the spring of 1978 we
provided the first subsidy [dollar amount not
declassified] to a prominent Russian-language publishing
house [place not declassified] With these
funds it was possible for them both to keep in business and to plan
the publication of approximately 12 titles of philosophical works
much in demand in the Soviet Union. [dollar amount
not declassified]
4. Increased funding has allowed an increase in publication of
Russian-language books to provide a wider choice of materials
available for infiltration into the Soviet Union. Two major works
have now appeared, and four additional titles are in the process of
being published. Three or four more titles will appear by the end of
the year, including the initial volume of what is to be a major
historical series. At the same time, in order to exploit more fully
increased political activism in Poland, eight additional titles are
in various stages of publication in the Polish language. Five
volumes have already appeared and have been distributed. The demand
for written materials in Poland is
[Page 494]
high, [2 lines not
declassified] Russian and Polish editions of works of
current importance in Western thought are now being given active
consideration. [dollar amount not
declassified]
5. Although tighter controls exist in Czechoslovakia than in Poland
(especially during the tenth anniversary of the invasion) many
manuscripts have been smuggled out of Czechoslovakia. The additional
funds were used to publish more of these materials in a
Czech-language journal and to publish an additional issue of this
journal. Part of the funds were also used in an effort to increase
internal distribution. [dollar amount not
declassified]
6. [4 lines not declassified] We have received
repeated verification [1 line not
declassified] that our literature is distributed widely in
both East Europe and the USSR.
7. The preparation of this report was delayed because of the need to
collate information [2 lines not
declassified] All portions of this document are SECRET.
