Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, National Security Affairs; Foreign Economic Policy, Volume I

S/S–NSC Files, Lot 63 D 351, NSC 68 Series

Memorandum by the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council ( Lay ) to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense ( Marshall )

top secret

Washington , June 7, 1951.

Subject: Joint Review of Politico-Military Strategy

References: A. NSC Actions Nos. 487, 424 and 393¹
B. Memo for Secretaries of State and Defense from Executive Secretary, same subject, dated December 14, 1950²
C. NSC 68 Series³

The National Security Council, at its 93rd meeting⁴ with the President presiding (NSC Action No. 487–b), noted the President’s amendment of the second sentence of his directive transmitted by the reference memorandum of December 14, 1950.

Accordingly, the revised directive by the President is transmitted as follows for appropriate action, and supersedes the President’s previous directive contained in the reference memorandum:

• NSC 68/4 is approved as a working guide for the urgent purpose of making an immediate start. However, since this paper points out that the programs contained in it are not final, I hereby direct the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to maintain a continuing joint review of the politico-military strategy of this Government.
• This review is not to delay action upon the basis of NSC 68/4, the implementation of which by all appropriate departments and agencies of the United States Government is hereby directed.

James S. Lay, Jr.

1. The actions under reference are described, respectively, in footnote 4, p. 88, footnote 2, p. 7, and footnote 4, p. 13.
2. Not printed.
3. For documentation on the NSC 68 series, see Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. i, pp. 126 ff.
4. June 6, 1951.