Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file

No. 445
Memorandum of Discussion at the 148th Meeting of the National Security Council, Washington, June 4, 1953 1

top secret
eyes only

The following were present at the 148th meeting of the Council: The President of the United States, presiding; the Vice President of the United States; the Secretary of State; the Deputy Secretary of Defense; the Director for Mutual Security. Also present were the Secretary of the Treasury; the Attorney General (for Items 2 and 3); the Director of Defense Mobilization; the Director, Bureau of the Budget; the Acting Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (for Item 2); the Acting Secretary of Commerce (for Items 4 and 5); the Secretary of the Army (for Item 2); the Secretary of the Navy (for Item 2); H. Lee White for the Secretary of the Air Force (for Item 2); Lt. Gen. Idwal H. Edwards, Chairman, Special Evaluation Subcommittee of the NSC (for Item 2); Walter S. De Lany, Office of the Director for Mutual Security (for Item 4); Kenneth R. Hansen, Office of the Director for Mutual Security (for Item 4); General Collins for the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Director of Central Intelligence; the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (for Item 2); … ; Robert Cutler, Special Assistant to the President; Lewis L. Strauss, Special Assistant to the President; C. D. Jackson, Special Assistant to the President; the NSC Representative on Internal Security (for Item 2); … ; Herbert Blackman, Department of Commerce (for Items 4 and 5); the Military Liaison Officer; the Executive Secretary, NSC; and the Deputy Executive Secretary, NSC.

[Here follows discussion of agenda items 1–6 on the situation in Korea, Soviet atomic energy capabilities, summary evaluation of the net capability of the U.S.S.R. to inflict direct injury on the United States up to July 1, 1955, effect on national security interests [Page 838] in Latin America of possible anti trust proceedings, review of economic defense policy, purchase or sale of strategic commodities abroad for shipment to the Soviet Bloc, and the position of the United States with respect to the Communist threat to Italy.]

7. Greek Offer of Additional Troops for Korea.

Secretary Dulles questioned the desirability of accepting this Greek offer, in view of the present status of the Korean negotiations.

The President stated emphatically that, regardless of the armistice in Korea, he was anxious to have these additional troops there, since they would relieve American boys and could be maintained cheaper.

Secretary Dulles was worried that this offer was tied directly to a simultaneous Greek request for additional economic aid.

The President stated that as far as he was concerned, these were two entirely separate matters.

The National Security Council:

Noted the President’s desire that the offer of additional Greek troops for Korea be accepted in militarily feasible units, with the understanding that such acceptance does not involve a commitment by the United States to provide additional economic aid to Greece.

Note: The above action subsequently transmitted to the Secretaries of State and Defense for implementation.

[Here follows discussion of agenda item 8 on NSC status of projects.]

  • S. Everett Gleason
  • James S. Lay, Jr.
  1. Drafted by Gleason on June 5.