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

606. Letter From Gray to Herter¹

Washington, November 30, 1960

Dear Chris:

In a letter to you dated November 19, 1960, copies of which were sent to each of the Principals, the Secretary of Defense recommended that United States policy on Arms Control be set forth in a single NSC document.

I heartily endorse the recommendation of the Secretary of Defense which, as I understand it, proposes only the codification in a single document of existing policy on arms control.

At present, United States policy on Arms Control is recorded in two NSC policy documents. It is set forth, but only in the very broadest terms, in a single paragraph of Basic National Secretary Policy (Paragraph 52, NSC 5906/1). It is also set forth in NSC 112, which was approved on July 19, 1951 and which still remains unrescinded on the NSC records.

On July 22, 1960, I raised in the NSC Planning Board the question as to whether there should not be an up-to-date policy statement on the control of armaments. At that time the State Department representative stated that the Department would consider the possibility of developing a draft statement of current policy on the subject. I am advised that the State Department has not as yet undertaken to prepare such a policy statement.

Because paragraph 52 of NSC 5906/1 is cast in such general terms and because NSC 112 is over nine years old, I strongly urge the preparation of an up-to-date policy codification on arms control, suitable for submission to the National Security Council and approval by President Eisenhower.

I should suppose that the Committee of Principals would recommend such a paper and that the Interdepartmental Working Group for Disarmament would be the logical body to prepare a draft for this purpose.

Sincerely,

Gordon Gray
Special Assistant to the President

Enclosure

Note From Gray to Lay

Washington, November 25, 1960

Mr. Lay:

I agree with Mr. Gates that there should be a single document setting forth the U.S. Arms Control Policy. You will recall that we had such a codification project on the books many months ago.

I think we should give every possible impetus to this.

Gordon Gray

Enclosure

Letter From Gates to Herter

Washington, November 19, 1960

Dear Mr. Secretary:

The Joint Chiefs of Staff on several occasions have pointed out the need for a formally approved comprehensive United States policy on Disarmament and Arms Control and for an official current statement of the United States position in order to provide definitive guidance (a) for the formulation of future United States proposals and (b) for our representatives in international negotiation and discussion on this subject. Current United States Basic Policy on Arms Controls, set forth in Paragraph 52—NSC 5906/1, is stated in very broad terms, and, while adequate for general guidance, requires clarification in the interests of common interpretation and understanding among the various governmental individuals and working groups concerned with the subject of disarmament.

With the foregoing in mind, the Joint Chiefs of Staff were requested to submit their views regarding the principles which should govern U.S. arms control policy and regarding specific measures which the United States might propose which would be in consonance with that policy. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have now submitted their recommendations. Except for minor modifications, principally in format, these recommendations are contained in the inclosure hereto and its annex, which I have reviewed and consider to be suitable for adoption. The position recommended (annex to the inclosure hereto) takes into consideration and is consistent with the Program submitted by the United States to the Ten-Nation Committee on June 27, 1960. The policy recommended (inclosure hereto) is comprehensive, and in my view, soundly based.

I believe it to be desirable that the arms control policy be set forth in a single NSC document to which the current U.S. arms control position should be appended. As in the case of other NSC documents, they should be kept current as revisions may occur from time to time. In the view of the possibility of an early resumption of international arms control negotiations, I believe it particularly important to establish an approved comprehensive U.S. arms control policy and the current U.S. position quite soon. Accordingly, I suggest that the proposed policy and United States position be referred to the Interdepartmental Working Group for Disarmament for review, with instructions to submit their final report to the Principals not later than November 10, 1960, with the view of early approval by the President. Such final action would serve the dual purpose of formally recording U.S. arms control policy, which should govern the formulation of United States proposals now and in the future, and of setting forth the current U.S. position on an international disarmament program.

A copy of this letter is being transmitted to each of the Principals.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas S. Gates

1. Source: Endorses Gates’ proposal for single NSC document on U.S. arms control policy. Secret. 5 pp. Eisenhower Library, White House Central Files, Records of the Office of Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, Arms Control.