Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, American Republics; Cuba 1961–1962; Cuban Missile Crisis and Aftermath, Volumes X/XI/XII, Microfiche Supplement

438. NSC Executive Committee record of action, October 27¹

Meeting No. 9

October 27, 1962

NSC Executive Committee Record of Action, October 27, 1962, 9:00 PM

1. Secretary McNamara recommended, and the President approved, the callup of 24 air reserve squadrons, involving 14,000 personnel.

2. The President directed that Ambassador Stevenson tell U Thant that a Soviet tanker was approaching the quarantine zone and reminding U Thant of the Soviet statement that Soviet ships would not enter Cuban waters.

3. There was discussion of next steps including the calling up of U.S. ships and the addition of POL to the list of prohibited goods.

4. The President read a message from General Norstad which presented the difficulty for NATO of any trade tying Cuban missiles to Turkish missiles.

5. There was a general discussion of a draft message to Ambassador Finletter giving him guidance as to his presentation to the NATO meeting of Permanent Representatives called for tomorrow. (Copy of message to Finletter attached.) It was agreed that this NATO meeting should be limited to reporting on actions we have taken and reviewing NATO problems arising out of Khrushchev’s public letter.

McGeorge Bundy

1. Call up of air reserve squadrons; message for U Thant; calling up U.S. ships and adding POL to list of prohibited goods; message from General Norstad; message to Finletter. No classification marking. 1 p. Kennedy Library, NSF, Meetings and Memoranda Series, Excom Meetings, Vol. I, Meetings 6–10.