Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe

56. Paper Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency¹

Washington, undated

SOVIET/EAST EUROPEAN PROGRAM

I. Policy and Objectives:

US foreign policy fosters democratization/pluralism/respect for human rights/moderation of foreign policies in the USSR/Eastern Europe. Our program promotes infiltration of materials, the spread of information, and covert support for dissidents, as ways to work for this objective. It seeks to fuel political/intellectual ferment and exploit opportunities presented by glasnost.

II. Program Authority:

— Findings (7 June 1978 and 7 March 1979) authorized publication/infiltration of literature into the USSR/Eastern Europe and generation of publicity to support citizens favoring liberalization.²

— Finding (25 September 1980) authorized establishment and funding to encourage Soviet liberalization and to influence West Europeans favoring liberalization of the Soviet system.³

— MON (3 August 1987) increased funding.⁴ Increased funding authority resulted from NSPG’s program review in April 1987.

— [less than 2 lines not declassified]⁵

III. Background:

Production/infiltration of literature into the USSR/Eastern Europe addressing contemporary/historical issues has been a principal element of the US covert action policy for over 30 years. Some operations in the program have their origins in the 1950s; over half were started in the past five years.

IV. Accomplishments:

Media Distribution and Infiltration: In 1987, we distributed some 350,000 books, periodicals, and audio/video cassettes inside the USSR/Eastern Europe. Because of funding constraints caused by dollar devaluation, our largest distribution activity was forced to cut back operation by about 20 percent. Glasnost had a positive impact on the program.

Political/Influence Activities: We distributed nearly 50,000 publications to Soviets living abroad, began preparations for a Soviet war crimes archive, and supported international efforts to expose Soviet human rights and other abuses.

Offensive/Defensive Active Measures: Efforts, together with State Department, led to neutralization of a worldwide Soviet active measures campaign on AIDS. [less than 1 line not declassified] succeeded in reducing disproportionate Soviet diplomatic presences in several countries.

Soviet Nationalities Program: Activities produced journals, reprints of proscribed historical documents, newsletters, pamphlets, manifestos, and audio cassettes in the languages of ethnic minorities. We began recording ethnic language audio cassettes for direct broadcast into the USSR.

East European Countries Program: We continued to infiltrate tens of thousands of journals and books into Eastern Europe and experienced rising demand for our video magazine. We continued to produce a journal regarded as the preeminent alternative to an East European country’s official press. A modest [less than 1 line not declassified] program was initiated in mid-1987; initial results have been encouraging.

V. [1 line not declassified]

[1 paragraph (less than 3 lines) not declassified]

VI. Risk/Problems:

— Soviets/East Europeans presumably are aware we support media activities against them. We strive to deny them evidence that would permit them to link [less than 1 line not declassified] to the US Government.

— There is some risk a small number of documents, books, and newspapers will find their way into the US. We advise Congress if significant spillover occurs.

VII. Plans:

Increased funding authority affords us opportunity to expand and upgrade the program. In 1988 and beyond we plan to:

— [1 line not declassified] develop new video programming in Russian and East European languages; expand infiltration mechanisms.

— Form a new entity to promote pluralism in the USSR; broaden contacts with [less than 1 line not declassified] peace advocates inside the USSR; acquire/infiltrate new technology to facilitate communication with Soviet/East Bloc peoples.

— Augment worldwide efforts to counter Soviet active measures via a multilingual publication.

— Expand the nationalities program to include additional Baltic, Central Asian and Caucasus elements.

— Conduct seminars in practical democracy in the West for East European youth. [less than 1 line not declassified]

VIII. Congressional Reaction:

— The program has had bipartisan support in Congress since its inception.

— The requirements on the information to be briefed to Congress as outlined in NSDD 286, Section II.A.3.⁶ have been met.

IX. Funding:

[1 paragraph (10 lines) not declassified]

1. Source: Reagan Library, System IV Intelligence Files, 1988, Unnumbered Notebook 1 of 2, 1988. Top Secret; [handling restriction not declassified].
2. See footnote 2, Document 23.
3. A 1980 list of Presidential Findings references the September 25, 1980, finding for “USSR—Soviet Studies Institute.” The finding has not been found. (Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 85M00363R: Subject Files (1983), Box 5, Folder 98: Miscellaneous Meeting: Oversight Board Briefing Re: Covert Activities)
4. See Document 46.
5. [footnote not declassified]
6. NSDD 286, signed October 15, 1987, is entitled “Approval and Review of Special Activities.” Section II.A.3 addresses the “Contents and Accompanying Documents.”