53. Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the United States Information Agency (Loomis) to President Nixon1
Most of the organizations with which USIA contracts for opinion surveys are affiliates of either the Gallup Organization (Princeton, New Jersey) or of International Research Associates (INRA, New York). Gallup and INRA have few subsidiaries abroad, working primarily through affiliated survey research organizations. Sidlinger does not have foreign subsidiaries or affiliates.
We are occasionally able to contract directly with Gallup or INRA, who then act in our behalf in contacting their subsidiaries or affiliates.
All USIA opinion research is conducted in their native language by nationals of the country in which the survey is taken. We are assured that U.S. Government sponsorship is kept in confidence.
There are 36 currently outstanding or recently completed contracts or obligations, totalling $452,409, between the Information Agency’s Research Service and public opinion research organizations. Fourteen of these ($149,915) are with Gallup affiliates or subsidiaries. Thirteen ($174,036) are with affiliates or subsidiaries of INRA. The remaining nine ($128,458) are with independent local survey research firms, including two small contracts with the Roper Institute of Williamstown, Massachusetts.
We contract with independent, foreign-owned research organizations only if there are no American affiliates or subsidiaries in the country, if the bid received from the American affiliate or subsidiary is not competitive, or if the competence of the independent firm, and the services it renders, are superior.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 293, Agency Files, USIA—Vol. I [Apr 69–25 Feb 70]. No classification marking. According to another copy of the memorandum, it was drafted by Benson and cleared by Strasburg. (National Archives, RG 306, Director’s Subject Files, 1968–1972, Entry A1–42, Box 1, INF–12 Public Opinion and Attitudes) Loomis sent the copy of the memorandum printed here to Haig under a November 26 covering memorandum. Haig sent both the memorandum and the covering letter to Higby under a December 5 covering memorandum, indicating that the memorandum “points out, inter alia, that the bulk of their public opinion surveys are contracted with associates of either Gallup or International Research Associates.” (Ibid.)↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩