◆ SpookStack

'· Approved For Release 2008/11/06: CIA-RDP04M01816R000502010009-4 20 B. West Coast Project The West Coast Project was proposed in 1969 by CIA officials within the CIA's Plans Directorate for the purpose of obtaining foreign intelligence concerning the Peoples' Republic of ·China. The CIA was particularly in- ·terested in censorship techniques used by the Peoples' Republic of China, and the project was intended to evaluate such techniques through a survey of mail entering the United States from the Peoples' Republic of China. Initially, itJwas contemplated that the project would entail only the inspection of envelope exteriors. Approval of the project by postal officials was ~ecured for a survey of envelope exteriors. The West Coast Project, conducted in or near San Francisco, involved four separate surveys of mail between 1969 and 1971. The first survey took place in September, 1969 and lasted five days. Approximately 1,600 envelopes of incoming mail were screened during this period. No mail was opened in this initial survey. which apparently was undertaken without approval by top level CIA officials. The lower level officials responsible at that time for the project deemed this initial survey successful and concluded A roved For Release 2008/11/06: CIA-RDP04M01816R000502010009-4