285. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Merchant to the NSC Executive Secretary1
Washington, December 30,
1960
[Facsimile Page 1]
SUBJECT
- Protection Against BW and CW Attack
REFERENCE
- Memo for NSC from Executive
Secretary, same subject, dated December 15, 1960
As requested, I am indicating below my action with respect to the draft
NSC Action on the subject:
Concur: ____✓__
Do not concur: _________
Comments:
Livingston T.
Merchant
Acting Secretary of State
Enclosure
Memorandum From Dorse to Merchant
Washington, December 28,
1960
SUBJECT
- Protection against BW and CW Attack
[Facsimile Page 2]
In a memorandum dated October 17, 1960, the Chairman of the
Interdepartmental Committee on Internal Security (ICIS), on which State
is represented, reported to the NSC
that a review of the status of certain biological warfare (BW) and chemical warfare (CW) defense programs under the general
cognizance of OCDM showed a deficiency
in BW defense programs. The ICIS
considers these deficiencies, which involve measures for rapid detection
and identification of BW agents, to be a
serious internal security shortcoming. The ICIS previously had suggested
that OCDM request necessary funds for
additional research on which to base development of procedures for rapid
detection and
[Typeset Page 1209]
identification of BW agents. However,
the Director of OCDM had indicated his
belief that current research programs of the Department of Defense and
the Department of Health, Education and Welfare are related to the
problem and concluded that it would be difficult to justify a special
request by OCDM for funds for the
purpose recommended by ICIS.
It is understood that Defense is not optimistic that its research and
development in this field will prove successful and believes there is
need for additional research and development. HEW feels that current
research will contribute little to a solution of the over-all problem.
ICIS, therefore, has urged expansion of research in the BW field to eliminate present shortcomings
and feels that OCDM is the appropriate
agency for funding such additional research.
The NSC Planning Board recently
considered the ICIS memorandum on this subject and requested the
President’s Special Assistant for Science and Technology to convene a
special interdepartmental group to discuss technical questions relating
to the problems of BW detection and
identification. The group concluded that (a) there are specific research
areas in this field which warrant exploration from a scientific point of
view; (b) research programs of HEW and Defense will eventually
accomplish
[Facsimile Page 3]
results necessary for the attainment of departmental missions in this
field; and (c) increased efforts in support of the ICIS concern for an
early solution to the problem would require either expansion of current
research or additional research.
Accordingly, the Planning Board has prepared the attached draft NSC record of action concurring in the
ICIS view that research in the field of BW detection and identification is important from the
viewpoint of national security and directing the heads of all executive
departments and agencies concerned to consider, in collaboration with
OCDM, further actions that might
be undertaken.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you concur in the draft NSC record
of action by initialing the voting slip (Tab A) in the appropriate
place.
CONCURRENCE:
S/P–Mr. Furnas
[Typeset Page 1210]
Attachment
Note From Perkins to Ryder
SGA – Mr. Ryder
Washington, December 19,
1960
[Facsimile Page 4]
NSC Vote
Slip Action: Protection Against BW
and CW Attack
Attached is a copy of a memorandum of December 15 for the NSC from its Executive Secretary enclosing
as suggested NSC action on the above
subject, together with a copy of a vote slip for action by the
Secretary.
You are requested to have prepared a memorandum to the Acting Secretary
recommending whether or not he should concur in the adoption of the
proposed action by initialing the vote slip accordingly. The original of
the vote slip will be retained in S/S
and attached to the SCA memorandum when it is received.
The memorandum should be cleared by S/P–Mr. Furnas and should be received in S/S by December 28 (we believe that the
Secretary will not be in the Department on that date).
Raymond L. Perkins
S/S–RO
Ext. 5262
Attachment
Memorandum From Lay to the NSC
Washington, December 15,
1960
[Facsimile Page 5]
SUBJECT
- Protection Against BW and CW Attack
REFERENCES
- A. NSC 5802/1, paragraph
16
- B. Executive Order 10421
- C. Memo for NSC from Acting
Executive Secretary, subject: “BW
Detection and Identification”, dated October 17, 1960
The NSC Planning Board has considered
the letter on the subject from the Chairman, Interdepartmental Committee
on Internal Security (circulated by Reference A), and recommends that
the National Security Council adopt the draft NSC Action attached hereto.
It is requested that each member of the National Security Council, the
Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Director, Bureau
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of the
Budget, and the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, indicate his action
with respect to the attached draft NSC
Action by completing and returning the enclosed memorandum form, if
possible by or before Thursday, December 29,
1960.2
James S. Lay,
Jr.
Executive Secretary
cc: The Secretary of the Treasury
The Attorney General
The Director, Bureau of the Budget
The Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission
The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Director of Central Intelligence
The Chairman, Interdepartmental Intelligence Conference
The Chairman, Interdepartmental Committee on Internal Security
Attachment
[Facsimile Page 6]
Draft Record of Action by the National Security Council
PROTECTION AGAINST BW AND CW ATTACK
(NSC 5802/1, paragraph 16; Executive
Order 10421; Memo for NSC from Acting
Executive Secretary, subject: “BW
Detection and Identification”, dated October 17, 1960; Memo for NSC from Executive Secretary, subject:
“Protection Against BW and CW Attack”, dated December 15, 1960)
a. Concurred in the judgment of the NSC Planning Board that research in the
field of BW detection and identification
is important from the viewpoint of national security.
b. Noted the request of the President that the
heads of all Executive departments and agencies concerned, in
collaboration pursuant to Executive Order 10421 with the Director,
Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, consider actions that might be
undertaken to protect vital facilities (including government buildings)
against BW and CW attack, utilizing presently available measures as
appropriate.
NOTE: The action in a above, as approved by the
President subsequently transmitted to the Secretaries of Defense and
Health, Education and Welfare, and the Director, Office of Civil and
Defense Mobilization, for guidance in the initiation and conduct of
research and development programs related to this problem.
The action in b above, as approved by the
President, subsequently transmitted to all appropriate Executive
departments and agencies for appropriate implementation.
