Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volumes VII, VIII, IX, Arms Control; National Security Policy; Foreign Economic Policy, Microfiche Supplement

262. Memorandum from Earman to Deputy Director for Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, February 12¹

February 12, 1962

The Director asked that the following extract from his memorandum of conversation with the President on Thursday, 8 February 1962, at 5 p.m., attended by General Maxwell Taylor and McGeorge Bundy (part of time) be furnished to you for information and action:

I reviewed the 25 January CHICKADEE report (Subject: New Emphasis on Strengthening Soviet Strategic Missile Capabilities—CSDB–3/649, 186), expressed thought that this report and other fragmentary intelligence led me to believe that our current Estimates on Soviet ICBMs capability might be on the low side and that we were taking the matter under immediate review. Action: Discuss with DD/I and Kent or Smith and DD/P what should be done in this regard.

J.S. Earman

Executive Officer

1. Extract of McCone’s February 8 conversation with President Kennedy passed for information and necessary action. Top Secret; Eyes Only. 1 p. CIA Files, Job 80B01285A, Mtgs w/President, 12/1/61–6/30/62.