218. Memorandum of Discussion at the 365th Meeting of the National Security Council0

[Here follow a paragraph listing the participants at the meeting and agenda items 1–4.]

5. U.S. Security Effort Overseas, FY 1958 and FY 1959 (NSC Action No. 1828; Memos for NSC from Executive Secretary, same subject, dated March 4 (and references listed therein) and April 29, 1958)1

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General Cutler briefed the Council on the Planning Board’s proposal, which he described as a “look-ahead” to see what would be the trends through June 30, 1962. (A copy of General Cutler’s briefing note is filed in the minutes of the meeting, and another is attached to this memorandum.)2

Secretary Quarles expressed the opinion that the Planning Board’s new proposal brought the problem down to dimensions which the Defense Department could handle, particularly if the State Department would furnish Defense with the political and economic assumptions upon which to base the study. Secretary Herter agreed on the great value which the State Department would place on the proposed study. He pointed out that in providing the political and economic assumptions, the State Department would be obliged to resort to the crystal ball.

The National Security Council: 3

a.
Noted and discussed the memorandum from the Acting Secretary of Defense on the subject and the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff attached thereto, prepared pursuant to NSC Action No. 1828–b and transmitted by the reference memorandum of March 4, 1958; in the light of the comment and recommendation of the NSC Planning Board thereon, transmitted by the reference memorandum of April 29, 1958.
b.
Agreed, as recommended by the NSC Planning Board subject to amendments proposed at the meeting, that, assuming a continuation of approved basic national security policy:
(1)
The Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff be asked to submit, not later than September 1, 1958, a report to the National Security Council on the kind of force posture (missions, major force levels, and major types of armament by service) thought to be desirable as of June 30, 1962, for those nations (approximately 15) which, under military assistance which is contemplated from funds requested for FY 1959, would receive the major dollar portion of such assistance or advanced weapons systems; supplemented by brief mention of other nations which it is contemplated would receive such assistance.
(2)
The Department of State be asked to submit, on or before June 1, 1958, to the Department of Defense, the political and economic assumptions upon which such a report should be based.

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Note: The action in b above, as approved by the President, subsequently transmitted to the Secretary of State for implementation of b-(2), and to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, for implementation of b-(1).

[Here follows agenda item 6.]

S. Everett Gleason
  1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records. Top Secret. Drafted by Gleason on May 9.
  2. Taken December 12, 1957, NSC Action No. 1828 instructed the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to report to the Council on the feasibility of preparing a study on U.S. military assistance programs for the period 1960–1965. For text, see Foreign Relations, 1955–1957, vol. XIX, pp. 708709. Lay’s March 4 memorandum transmitted the feasibility study. (Department of State, S/PNSC Files: Lot 62 D 1) His April 29 memorandum transmitted the Planning Board’s comments and recommendations on the study. (Ibid.)
  3. Not printed.
  4. Paragraphs a and b and the note that follows constitute NSC Action No. 1908. (Department of State, S/SNSC (Miscellaneous) Files: Lot 66 D 95, Records of Action by the National Security Council)