594. Memorandum From Dillon to
Eisenhower.1
Washington, August 22,
1960
[Facsimile Page 1]
SUBJECT
- Disarmament Reorganization within the Department of State
You will recall that last fall you initiated steps to strengthen the
organization of the U.S. Government for dealing with disarmament
matters. You decided that it was logical to place the responsibility for
leadership of this new effort in the Department of State. On April 22,
Secretary Herter reported to you
orally that we would move ahead with the establishment of a focal point
for disarmament activities, in a new organization reporting directly to
him but with relative autonomy and staffed in part with personnel from
other agencies. Since then, with the assistance of the White House
Staff, we have been actively seeking an outstanding public figure to
head the organization. In the meanwhile we have been proceeding with our
plans.
On or about September 1, the Department of State plans to establish
formally a United States Disarmament Administration. In addition to an
intensified program of study and research, the new administration will
be responsible for formulating policies with respect to the limitation
and control, by international agreement, of armed forces and weapons of
all kinds and will progressively assume responsibility for the direction
and support of international negotiations in this field. A more complete
statement of the functions of the Administration is enclosed.
[Facsimile Page 2]
Secretary Herter has kept the
Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, the
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and your Scientific Advisor
informed of these developments and he is confident of their
understanding and support. Nevertheless, given the importance of this
move and realizing your great interest in the subject, Secretary
Herter thinks it would be
most helpful if you could express your views on the new project in a
letter to him and to these key officials. I am enclosing suggested
letters for your possible use.
It might also be useful for our international relations if you or the
White House were to make a public announcement in connection with the
establishment of this organization. The exact form of the announcement
would, of course, be reviewed in the light of circumstances existing
[Typeset Page 2161]
at the time
of its release. It could take the form of (or include) release of the
letter which you would send to Secretary Herter.
With the establishment of the United States Disarmament Administration
and at the time Mr. James J.
Wadsworth enters on duty as United States Representative
to the United Nations, it would be appropriate to terminate his
designation as United States Representative on Disarmament. The
designation was made by letter from Secretary Dulles with your approval
on February 27, 1956. With your approval, Secretary Herter will take the appropriate
formal steps, in the next few weeks. You may at that time wish to
express appreciation of Mr. Wadsworth’s significant services in his
former capacities.
/S/ Douglas
Dillon
Acting Secretary
Enclosure 1
Paper Prepared in the Department of State
[Facsimile Page 3]
Functions of the New United States Disarmament
Administration
The mission of the Administration will be to assist the Secretary of
State in leading and coordinating the effort of the United States
government in formulating, negotiating and implementing policies in
the field of control and limitation, by international agreement, of
armed forces and weapons of all kinds, including agreements to
safeguard against surprise attack and to lessen the danger of war by
miscalculation. This mission, which will be carried out with the
cooperation of the other interested parts of the government and with
the assistance, where necessary, of experts and consultants under
contract will include, inter alia, the
following functions in the arms control field:
- A.
- Development, review, analysis, evaluation and coordination
of plans, policies and programs, and research in connection
therewith, where necessary;
- B.
- Coordination, and where appropriate, commissioning or
assisting in the conduct of research and development
activities in such matters as systems of limitation,
inspection and control;
- C.
- Formulation and coordination of U.S. positions for use in
negotiation at international conferences, including analysis
of the proposals of other countries; preparation of
instructions to delegations, taking account of established
procedures and responsibilities for U.S. participation in
the U.N; provision, where appropriate, of members of U.S.
delegations; and maintenance of contact with representatives
of foreign governments;
- D.
- Stimulation, coordination with and, where appropriate,
financial support of such U.S. activity as is carried on by
non-governmental agencies;
- E.
- Planning, cooperation with, and assistance in public
information programs designed to keep foreign and domestic
public opinion accurately informed of U.S. policies;
- F.
- Planning and coordination of U.S. participation in such
arrangements for monitoring and inspection as may be
required under international agreements to which the United
States may be a party.
Enclosure 2
Suggested Letter from the President to the
Secretary
[Facsimile Page 4]
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I have read and approved your memorandum concerning the steps you are
taking, pursuant to plans I initiated last fall, to create a United
States Disarmament Administration to strengthen leadership and
coordination of the manifold activities of the United States
government in the field of arms limitation and control.
I agree that this Administration should be staffed with personnel
drawn from other agencies and from outside government as well as
from the Department of State, thus assuring the blending of skills
essential to the highly complex work in which it will be engaged. I
expect that, as in the past, you will continue to coordinate the
participation of the other agencies in this program.
In addition to coordinating or conducting an intensified program of
study and research, the new organization will be responsible for
formulating policies with respect to disarmament, including the
limitation and control, by international agreement, of armed forces
and weapons of all kinds and for direction and support of
international negotiations on these subjects.
The Disarmament Administration will permit the United States to
marshal the best available political, technical and scientific
skills in a continuing campaign to discover practical means for
easing the burden of armaments, lessening the dangers of war by
miscalculation, and winning a just and durable peace.
I am requesting the heads of all other interested agencies to give
you full and continued support in developing an effective
organization and in building a strong and imaginative policy.
My own devotion to this endeavor is deep and abiding. The well-being
and safety of our country and of the world may be significantly
advanced by your efforts. I shall support you in every way I
can.
[Typeset Page 2163]
I am sending letters related to this one to the Secretary of Defense,
the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, the Director of CIA, and to my Special Assistant for
Science and Technology.
Enclosure 3
Suggested Letter From Eisenhower to Multiple Recipients
[Facsimile Page 5]
Suggested Letter from the President to:
The Secretary of Defense
The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission
The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
The Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology
Pursuant to the plans which I initiated last fall, the Secretary of
State has established the United States Disarmament Administration
to strengthen leadership and coordination of the manifold activities
of the United States Government in the field of arms limitation and
control.
This Administration will be responsible to the Secretary of State and
will be staffed with personal drawn from other agencies and from
outside government as well as from the Department of State, thus
assuring the blending of skills essential to the highly complex work
in which it will be engaged.
In addition to coordinating or conducting an intensified program of
study and research, the new organization will be responsible for
formulating policies with respect to disarmament, including the
limitation and control, by international agreement, of armed forces
and weapons of all kinds and for direction and support of
international negotiations on these subjects. As in the past, the
Secretary of State will continue to coordinate definition of these
policies with you as appropriate to your responsibilities.
The Disarmament Administration will permit the United States to
marshal the best available political, technical and scientific
skills in a continuing campaign to discover practical means for
easing the burden of armaments, lessening the dangers of war by
miscalculation, and winning a just and durable peace.
I am confident that your agency will give full and continued support
to the Secretary of State in developing an effective organization
and in building a strong and imaginative policy.
[Facsimile Page 6]
My own devotion to this endeavor is deep and abiding. The well being
and safety of our country and of the world may be significantly
advanced by its efforts. I shall support it in every way I can.
I am sending letters related to this one to the Secretary of State
and to other agencies and Departments with responsibilities in the
field of arms control.
