FEMA's Blueprint for action: NSDD 47

 

FEMA's Blueprint for action: NSDD 47
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By Herbert Quinde


In 1989, President Bush issued National Security Directive 10 (NSD 10),
creating several Policy Coordinating Committees, including one for
Emergency Preparedness Mobilization Planning under the National Security
Counsel (NSC).  The chairman of the committee was designated to be the
director of FEMA.  But that move, Bush put under his personal direction a
proto-military "command and control" structure which can suspend or alter
the letter of the law and intent of the Constitution during a real or
manufactured crisis.

As one of his first acts in office, Bush issued his NSD 1, which
reorganized the NSC and gave enormous power to two standing committees
headed by National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft, a former executive of
Kissenger Associates, and Scowcroft's deputy, former Deputy Director of the
CIA Robert Gates.  This restructuring dispensed with more than 90 senior
interagency groups setup during the Reagan administration.  There work is
now handled solely by the NSC.

Bush's NSD 10 reaffirms FEMA's authorities.  The core mandate of FEMA's
responsibilities is found in Reagan's National Security Decision Directive
47 (NSDD 47), issued July 22, 1982 under the title "Emergency Mobilization
Preparedness."  Presidential National Security directives remain in effect
from one administration to the next, unless rescinded.

NSDD 47 defined a "common ground on which mobilization programs can be
developed and used at the discretion of the President to prevent avoidable
emergencies, to combat and reduce the effects of those that are
unavoidable, and to mitigate the effects of those that do occur."

If the domestic economy spins out of control, NSDD 47 states, "authorities
for direct economic controls (wage and price controls and consumer
rationing) the national security emergencies need to be provided to give
responsible policy makers flexibility to deal with circumstances that can
be judged only as they arise...

"Preparedness measures that involve the waving or modification of
socioeconomic regulations that delay emergency responses should receive
priority attention" to be eliminated.

"Preparedness programs should be designed to increase capabilities to cope
with resource shortages arising from disruptions from essential supplies
from foreign sources [such as oil -- ed.]. . .

"Resource management and economic stabilization programs should include
standby plans and procedures for governmental intervention, as necessary,
into the market place to ensure the enhancement of supply allocation of
resources to military and essential civilian needs.

"_These mechanisms should provide for both gradual and abrupt replacement
of market forces by governmental regulations_ [emphasis added]."

If the banks are in trouble, NSDD 47 provides for programs that will
"preserve and facilitate operations of public and private financial systems
and provide for any necessary restoration of their functioning after a
major emergency."

It also provides "fiscal authorities with adequate _revenue-raising powers_
to stabilize the economy in the face of any additional resource
requirements needed to deal with or recover from an emergency."

The "general principles" of NSD 47 stipulate that: "plans and procedures
should be designed to retain maximum flexibility for the President and
other senior officials in the implementation of emergency action _both
above and below the threshold of declared national emergencies and wars_.
Plans should avoid ridged 'either/or' choices that limit presidential
options."

If the U.S. Constitution or federal and state laws seem to get in the way
of dealing with a "national emergency," NSDD 47 calls for "preparedness
measures" that identify "legal constraints" which need to be removed so as
not to impede response to a national emergency.

Bringing in the Marines
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If the FEMA apparatus does not feel that it can cope with an emergency
solely employing civilian personnel agencies, and domestic law enforcement,
it can "call in the Marines." Department of Defense Directive 3025.1,
titled "Use of Military Resources During Peacetime National Emergencies
within the United States, it's Territories, and Possessions" establishes
Department of Defense policies and furnishes guidance for DOD support to
civil authorities under peacetime civil emergency conditions."

If there is a direct threat to law and order, the governor of a state can
request assistance from the President, who instructs the Attorney General
to permit military personnel to augment or replace local law enforcement or
the national guard.  The action is authorized through department of defense
directive 3025.12, titled "Employment of Military Resources in the event of
Civil Disturbances."  For example, a few years ago this directive was
activated in preparation for riots in an Atlanta prison.

Advanced intelligence assessed there would be riots, which led to the DOD
"pre-positioning military resources" in preparation for an assault on the
prison, according to a Pentagon spokesman.  The situation was defused and
the "DOD components" were not deployed.

EIR Nov, 23, 1990 (Pg.25)