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.
