Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume III, Microfiche Supplement, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament

170. Note From Lay to the NSC¹

Washington, July 1, 1959

NOTE BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

to the

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

on

COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS GROUP

REFERENCES

• A. NSC Actions Nos. 1833 and 1909
• B. NSC 5815

The President, on the recommendation of the Secretary of Defense, has this date approved the addition of the Deputy Secretary of Defense to the membership of the Comparative Evaluations Group established in accordance with NSC 5815.

Accordingly the enclosed directive, incorporating the above amendment to NSC 5815 approved this date by the President, is circulated herewith for the information of the National Security Council and for implementation by all appropriate Executive departments and agencies of the U.S. Government.

The enclosed directive is being given special limited distribution, and the contents should be subject to special security precautions, with access thereto limited to those individuals having a strict “need to know” in the performance of their official duties.

James S. Lay, Jr.
Executive Secretary

cc: The Secretary of the Treasury

The Director, Bureau of the Budget

The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Director of Central Intelligence

The Chairman, President’s Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities

The Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology

Enclosure

National Security Council Directive 5908

NSC 5908

Washington, July 1, 1959

DIRECTIVE

on

COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS GROUP

1. There is hereby established under the National Security Council, pursuant to the provisions of Section 101 of the National Security Act, a Comparative Evaluations Group responsible for the preparation of comparative evaluations of U.S. and Soviet capabilities in selected weapons systems.

2. The Comparative Evaluations Group shall consist of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, who shall serve as Chairman of the Group; the Under Secretary of State; the Deputy Secretary of Defense; the Director of Central Intelligence; the Chairman of the President’s Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities; the President’s Special Assistant for Science and Technology; and the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs.

3. The secretariat services for the Group shall be performed by the NSC Representative on Internal Security.

4. The Comparative Evaluations Group shall meet at regular intervals, and not less than every three months.

5. The functions of the Comparative Evaluations Group shall include:

a. Recommending to the President suitable topics in the field of weapons systems for comparative evaluations of U.S. and Soviet capabilities.

b. Determining the scope of each of the studies approved by the President.

c. Determining the procedures to be followed in connection with such studies, including the time limit within which the studies are to be completed and submitted to the President.

6. Oral presentation of such comparative evaluations to the National Security Council or other groups shall be as determined by the President.

7. In view of the sensitive nature of the materials to be included in studies made by the Group, special security precautions shall be applied thereto. Distribution of the studies prepared by the Group shall be limited to two copies—one to be maintained in the files of the National Security Council, the other in the files of the Chairman of the Group.

1. Source: Transmits NSC 5908, a directive on establishing the Comparative Evaluations Group. Top Secret; Special Limited Distribution. 3 pp. NARA, RG 59, S/S–NSC Files: Lot 63 D 351.