Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file
Memorandum of Discussion at the 167th Meeting of the National Security Council, Thursday, October 22, 19531
eyes only
[Extract]
Present at the 167th meeting of the Council were the President of the United States, presiding; the Secretary of State; the Secretary of Defense; the Director, Foreign Operations Administration; the Director, Office of Defense Mobilization. The Vice President did not attend because of his absence from the country. Also present were the Acting Secretary of the Treasury; Judge Barnes for the Attorney General (Item 4); the Acting Secretary of Commerce (Item 4); the Acting Director, Bureau of the Budget; the Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (Item 1); the Director, U.S. Information Agency (Items 1, 2 and 3); William A. Porter, Office of Defense Mobilization (Item 1); Ralph L. Clark, Central Intelligence Agency (Items 1 and 6); Gen. Porter, Foreign Operations Administration (Items 6, 7, 8 and 9); the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Director of Central Intelligence; The Assistant to the President; Robert Cutler, Special Assistant to the President; C. D. Jackson, Special Assistant to the President; the Acting White House Staff Secretary; the Executive Secretary, NSC; and the Deputy Executive Secretary, NSC.
There follows a summary of the discussion at the meeting and the main points taken.
. . . . . . .
3. Mission of the United States Information Agency (NSC 165)2
After Mr.Cutler had explained the statement of policy in the report, Secretary Dulles suggested the desirability of revising paragraph [Page 1751] 1. He pointed out that in its present form the paragraph could be interpreted as providing a blank check for U.S. support of all the aspirations of all peoples everywhere for freedom and independence. While we indeed wanted to support the legitimate aspirations of peoples to this end, the statement was too broad, and should be confined, therefore, to American endorsement of the legitimate aspirations of these peoples.
Mr. Streibert agreed to accept the introduction of the word “legitimate”, though he felt that to do so watered down the force of the statement.
Secretary Dulles repeated his view, and illustrated it by reference to the dangers which would arise if the populations of Morocco and Cambodia were to assume that the United States was giving blanket endorsement to all their aspirations.
The President commented that the word “legitimate” was widely used and was certainly somewhat vague in meaning, and required an exercise of judgment when it was used. Nevertheless, we clearly were not in a position to endorse everything everywhere.
Mr. Cutler pointed out that two whole afternoons had been devoted to formulating this statement, and that its purpose was to make clear to the peoples in the so-called uncommitted areas of the world that the United States was not engaged in dictating to them but rather in trying to help them.
The President agreed that we should certainly try to persuade these peoples that our policies would help advance their welfare, but we could not do this without qualification.
Expressing agreement with the President, Secretary Wilson said that the idealism in this statement, as presently written, was too far up in the clouds for practical operations.
The Director of Central Intelligence said that the last sentence of this paragraph gave him the most concern, since it seemed to suggest that foreign governments were expected to strive to achieve U.S. objectives. Mr.Streibert suggested a change to common objectives, but after further discussion the Council agreed to strike the entire sentence.
After further discussion and amendment of the paper, the President declared it acceptable.
The National Security Council:3
Adopted the statement of policy contained in the reference report, subject to the following revisions:
- a.
- Revise paragraph 1 to read: “The purpose of the U.S. Information Agency shall be to submit evidence to peoples of [Page 1752] other nations by means of communication techniques that the objectives and policies of the United States are in harmony with and will advance their legitimate aspirations for freedom, progress and peace.”
- b.
- Revise paragraph 2 as follows:
- (1)
- In the 2nd line, add “primarily” after “carried out”.
- (2)
- In subparagraph b, insert “legitimate” before “aspirations”.
- (3)
- In subparagraph d, delete “favorable”.
- c.
- In paragraph 3, 4th line, change “its audiences” to “other peoples”.
Note:NSC 165 as amended subsequently approved by the President, circulated as NSC 165/1,4 and referred to the Director, United States Information Agency, for implementation.
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