328. Editorial Note
On May 1, at the 364th meeting of the National Security Council, the President and the Council discussed in detail item 2, “Basic National Security Policy.” Included in the discussion was consideration of an interagency disagreement over the wording of a paragraph in draft NSC 5810, “Basic National Security Policy,” April 14, 1958, which dealt with trade with China, North Vietnam, and North Korea. According to the memorandum of discussion of the meeting, May 2, the discussion went as follows:
“General Cutler then moved on to subparagraph 37–c, dealing with Communist China and reading as follows:
“‘c. The United States should continue its unilateral embargo on trade with [similarly liberalize its trade policies with]* Communist China, North Korea, and North Vietnam.
[Page 714]“‘*ODM alternative proposal.’
“He pointed out his agreement with the position of Mr. Randall that proposals such as this, for changes in our economic defense policy, should be made first in the Council on Foreign Economic Policy. He then called on Mr. Gray to speak to the proposed ODM amendment of subparagraph 37–c.
“Mr. Gray stated that he was agreeable to sending the subparagraph to the CFEP for prior consideration, but that he had changed his mind recently with respect to the liberalization of U.S. trade with Communist China, and felt that the ODM proposal had merit substantively. He accordingly said that he wished to make his position clear when this matter was considered subsequent to CFEP consideration.” (Brackets in the source text.)
The NSC adopted NSC 5810 with the deletion of the Office of Defense Mobilization bracketed alternative and the deletion of the footnote. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
For the portion of the discussion on international commodities, see Document 279. The full discussion of this item and the NSC paper as approved, NSC 5810/1, May 5, are scheduled for publication in volume III. The draft paper, NSC 5810, is in Department of State, S/S-NSC Files: Lot 63 D 351, NSC 5810.