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

209. Memorandum From Lay to the NSC¹

Washington, October 29, 1959

SUBJECT

• Basic National Security Policy

REFERENCES

• A. NSC 5906/1
• B. NSC Action No. 2114–d
• C. Memo for NSC from Executive Secretary, same subject, dated October 8, 1959

The enclosed memorandum by the Director, Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, is transmitted herewith for consideration by the National Security Council of the proposed revision of paragraph 60 (Strategic Stockpiling) of NSC 5906/1 prepared on the basis of the “Proposed Policy on Strategic Materials” approved by the President in the Cabinet Meeting of September 11, 1959. The enclosed revision is a substitution for that transmitted by Reference C, prepared in the light of comments by the NSC Planning Board.

It is requested that each member of the National Security Council, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Commerce, the Director, Bureau of the Budget, and the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, indicate his action with respect to the enclosed proposed revision of paragraph 60 of NSC 5906/1, by completing and returning the enclosed memorandum form.²

James S. Lay, Jr.
Executive Secretary

cc: The Secretary of the Treasury

The Attorney General

The Secretary of Commerce

The Director, Bureau of the Budget

The Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission

The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Director of Central Intelligence

Enclosure

Memorandum From Hoegh to Lay

Washington, October 28, 1959

SUBJECT

• Policy on Strategic Materials

The following language is recommended for inclusion as Paragraph 60 of the Basic National Security Policy:

A stockpile of strategic and critical materials as authorized under P.L. 520, 79th Congress, should be maintained. Objectives for the strategic stockpile should be determined on the basis of the time required for supplies of materials in a national emergency to match essential needs of the emergency. Pending a determination of the essential needs of the nation after a nuclear attack (including reconstruction), the planning period should be limited to a maximum of three years, provided that until such determination is made the “maximum objective should not be less than six months usage by the U.S. industry in periods of active demand.

The suggested language is in accord with the policy on strategic materials approved by the President following the Cabinet meeting of September 11, 1959.

/s/ Leo A. Hoegh

1. Source: Transmits for comment OCDM memorandum on paragraph 60 of NSC 5906 on strategic stockpiling. Secret. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, S/P–NSC Files: Lot 62 D 1.
2. Memorandum form not enclosed with this copy. [Footnote is in the original.]