172. Memorandum From Robert Johnson to the NSC Planning Board1
[Facsimile Page 1]
SUBJECT
- Basic National Security Policy
REFERENCES
- A. NSC 5906
- B. Record of Meeting of Planning Board, June 29, 1959
The enclosed tentative State Department proposal for revision of pars.
23–b and 24 of NSC 5906, prepared for possible submission at the National
Security Council Meeting on Thursday, July 9, 1959, is transmitted
herewith for the information and use of the Planning Board
Representatives in briefing their principals for the Council
Meeting.
Robert H. Johnson
Acting Director
Policy Coordinating Secretariat
Enclosure
Draft Department of State Proposal
[Facsimile Page 2]
BASIC NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY
(NSC 5906)
TENTATIVE STATE PROPOSAL
Delete par. 23–b (of Majority Proposal) and par. 24
and substitute:
a. Add “production” before “capabilities”
b. If, however, it becomes clear that present
efforts to achieve agreed international controls affecting nuclear
weapons development
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will not succeed, or if there is substantial
evidence that the Soviet Union is permitting or contributing to the
development of nuclear weapons capabilities by Bloc countries, the
United States should enhance the nuclear weapons capability of
selected allies by the exchange with them or provision to them of
appropriate information, materials, or nuclear weapons, under
arrangements for control of weapons to be determined.
c. In anticipation of the possible acquisition
of a nuclear weapons capability by such allies, the U.S. should now
urgently consider within the Executive Branch plans for the
development of [a]2 multi-[lateral control] national (for
example, [a] NATO) arrangements
[nuclear weapons authority which would] for determining requirements
for, holding custody of, and controlling the use of nuclear weapons,
[in accordance with NATO policy
and plans for defense of NATO
areas].
d. [The U.S. should seek] Legislation should
be sought when and as necessary for b and c above.
