Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XV, Berlin Crisis, 1962–1963

60. National Security Action Memorandum No. 158⁰

Washington, May 31, 1962.

TO

• Secretary of State

SUBJECT

• Contingency Plans for Berlin

The President has now approved the development of contingency plans for Berlin on the basis of acceptance of a requirement for passports for West German access to West Berlin, but rejection of any attempt by East German authorities to require visas for such access.

In approving such contingency planning, the President explicitly reserves the right of the United States Government to review its position in the light of the actual development of events. In particular, approval of this planning should imply no automatic American undertaking to extend military protection to civilian traffic under any specific set of circumstances.

McGeorge Bundy

0. Source: Department of State, NSAMs: Lot 72 D 316. Top Secret. Copies were sent to Secretary of Defense McNamara, Director of Central Intelligence McCone, and General Taylor.