68. Contact Report1
Washington, November 17, 1953, 3:45
p.m.
PLACE: Mr. Helms Office
PERSONS PRESENT: Mr. Helms, Cols. King and [name not declassified], later Mr. Shannon
COVER USED: None
Discussion:
- 1.
- Mr. Helms opened the conference by asking the whereabouts of the program of 12 November given to Mr. Dulles (16 November).2 He was informed that the paper was undoubtedly in the hands of the DD/P. However, an extra copy was available and was given to Mr. Helms to review. This having been done, his comment was that all emphasis should be placed at this time on Stage I, the period of assessment and that only after a very careful objective assessment of all assets would we be able to determine the future course of the project or even if it should be undertaken. This was agreed upon by all present.
- 2.
- With regard to the T/O, Helms stated that in view of the DCI’s approval, he felt he could go ahead and sign off on this T/O in order to expedite its establishment and would instruct Shannon to set it up. [name not declassified] presented a paper prepared on the subject of the pros and cons of [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] in which was included the fact that [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] should be arranged. This paper was shown to Col. King and then to Mr. Helms. The latter agreed that it should be [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] and suggested we use [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] and acquire physical space on the [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. It was his suggestion that this could be accomplished through Gen. Cabell, who would be able to lay it on through [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. With this agreed upon, Shannon was called into the conference and informed about the T/O and was told by Helms that it was the DCI’s request that all red tape be cut on this project and that he, Shannon, therefore, should give his personal attention to expediting the implementation with maximum security re the question of establishing a contact in CAA for preliminary negotiations regarding Syracuse. Shannon volunteered that he could [Page 144] arrange it through his official and personal friend who is the Chairman of CAB. Thus it was agreed that [name not declassified] would work with him on this matter.
Decisions:
- A.
- Final decision and approval of this project would rest upon the review of the assessment prepared in Stage I.
- B.
- The T/O was approved by Helms and Shannon was told to establish same.
- C.
- [1 line of source text not declassified]
- D.
- Contact with CAA will be established through Shannon.
Comments: It was the writer’s impression that Helms agreed in general with the program paper as presented and his comments regarding assessments were provided for within said program. It also appeared evident that hereafter all administrative matters above or outside the division should be handled personally and directly with Mr. Shannon.
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79–01025A, Box 151, Folder 8. Secret. Drafted by [name not declassified] on November 18.↩
- See Document 65.↩