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

603. Letter From Eisenhower to Kistiakowsky¹

Washington, October 25, 1960

Dear Dr. Kistiakowsky:

Pursuant to plans which I approved 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 safeguarded disarmament and arms control.

This Administration will be responsible to the Secretary of State and will be staffed with personnel from the interested U.S. Government departments and agencies, together with personnel recruited from outside Government where appropriate, 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 recommendations for policies and basic positions for consideration within the U.S. Government with respect to effective disarmament and arms control, and for direction and support of international negotiations on these subjects. As in the past, the Secretary of State will continue to coordinate these policies with you as appropriate to your responsibilities.

The Disarmament Administration will permit the United States to marshal the best available skills applicable to the field in a continuing campaign to develop practical means for attaining effective disarmament and arms control agreements, for easing the burden of armaments, for lessening the dangers of surprise attack, or of war by accident or miscalculation, and for promoting 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 sound and imaginative disarmament and arms control 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 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.

Sincerely,

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Attachment

FUNCTIONS OF THE U.S. DISARMAMENT ADMINISTRATION

The mission of the Administration will be to assist the Secretary of State in formulating disarmament and arms control policies and basic positions consistent with national security for consideration within the U.S. Government, and in negotiating international agreements in this field. This mission, which will be carried out in cooperation with the other interested parts of the government, and with the assistance, where necessary, of experts and consultants under contract, will include assisting the Secretary of State in the following functions:

A. Development, review, analysis, evaluation and coordination of plans, studies, policies and programs, and research in connection therewith;

B. Maintenance of up-to-date information on all studies and research and development activities which are being carried on, both inside and outside the government, in support of the United States governmental effort in the disarmament and arms control field; development of a long-term cooperative program for such studies and activities; and undertaking or commissioning such studies or activities as may be appropriate in the light of the long-term program;

C. Formulation and coordination of policies for the guidance of U.S. delegations to international negotiations;

D. Maintenance of contact on disarmament, arms control and related matters with the representatives of foreign governments;

E. Planning for, cooperation with, and assistance in public information programs designed to keep foreign and domestic public opinion accurately informed of U.S. policies;

F. Development in cooperation with the other interested U.S. agencies of plans for U.S. participation in such arrangements for control and inspection as may be required under international disarmament and arms control agreements.

1. Source: U.S. Disarmament Administration. No classification marking. 3 pp. Eisenhower Library, Records of the President’s Science Advisory Committee, U.S. Disarmament Administration.