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

180. Memorandum From Haydn Williams to Twining¹

Washington, July 20, 1959

SUBJECT

• Basic National Security Policy (NSC 5906)

1. Secretary McElroy has requested that I bring to the attention of the Joint Chiefs of Staff his views regarding the redraft of paragraph 12–a of NSC 5906 prepared by Gordon Gray on the basis of oral remarks by the President. The text of this redraft is set forth in the enclosure to this memorandum.

2. Secretary McElroy finds the redraft of paragraph 12–a acceptable. However, in view of the widely divergent interpretations placed upon it following its circulation, he has recommended that the following note be made a part of the NSC Record of Action:

“Paragraph 12–a of NSC 5906 was approved by the President with the understanding that it is not to be interpreted as a change in policy but rather as a clarification of existing policy with respect to the use of nuclear weapons and the requirement for maintaining balanced forces.”

3. Defense tabled the above note at last Friday’s Planning Board meeting, at which time it was concurred in by the majority of the Planning Board including State. In tabling this note and accepting the redraft of paragraph 12–a at the Planning Board, Defense did so with the understanding that:

a. The first sentence of the redraft applies across the board, i.e., to general and limited war.

b. The second sentence of the redraft covers limited war situations in areas where the main Communist power (Sino-Soviet bloc Power) would not be brought to bear: Central and South America, the Caribbean and Africa. In these areas the use of nuclear weapons would be manifestly neither militarily necessary nor politically appropriate. In areas such as the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia, the decision as to the use of nuclear weapons in limited war would be made in the light of the then existing circumstances, including the involvement or non-involvement of main Communist power. In areas where main Communist power would be clearly involved, it is anticipated that nuclear weapons would be used. Such areas would include hostilities on the mainland of China and Korea. The possibility of limited war on the Continent of Europe involving sizable forces of the U.S. and the USSR is ruled out; situations short of limited war such as incursions, infiltrations and hostile local actions, involving the U.S. and the USSR, are covered by the NATO political directive and strategic concept.

c. The third sentence of the redraft provides that in all contingencies covered in sub-paragraph b above, deployed U.S. combat units will have a nuclear capability and designated major commanders of such units will be prepared to use this capability when required in defense of their commands.

d. There is no controversy regarding the fourth sentence of the redraft.

The above is based upon our understanding of the President’s views and those expressed by Mr. McElroy.

4. Secretary McElroy is interested in discussing the foregoing paragraph with the Joint Chiefs of Staff within the next few days.

/s/ Haydn Williams
Deputy Assistant Secretary

Enclosure

Paragraph Prepared by Gorden Gray

Washington, July 9, 1959

REDRAFT OF PARAGRAPH 12–a

It is the policy of the United States to place main, but not sole, reliance on nuclear weapons; to integrate nuclear weapons with other weapons in the Armed Forces of the United States; and to use them when required to meet the nation’s war objectives. Planning should contemplate situations short of general war where the use of nuclear weapons would manifestly not be militarily necessary nor appropriate to the accomplishment of national objectives, particularly in those areas where main Communist power will not be brought to bear. All deployed organized units will be prepared to use nuclear weapons when required in defense of the command. Advance authorization for the use of nuclear weapons is as determined by the President.

1. Source: Possible revisions to paragraph 12–a of NSC 5906, basic national security policy. Top Secret. 3 pp. NARA, RG 59, S/P–NSC Files: Lot 62 D 1.