Office of the Historian

215. Memorandum of Meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council0

Washington, December 3, 1962, 10 a.m.

All present plus Stevenson and Governor Harriman and several members of his mission.

Harriman reviewed in some detail the report of his mission as covered in the written report of 34 pages, undated (issued Dec. 3).1 He made a firm recommendation that we support the initial phase of the Indian requirements which were covered in the London meeting, and that careful study be given to phase two which involves the re-equipping of three divisions and setting up three additional divisions so the Indians would have a total of 16 divisions, 15 regular plus one armored division.

Harriman reviewed the Pakistan-Indian problem in detail, indicating some hope, though quite remote, of a settlement.

With reference to the Soviet position and a question from the President, Harriman advised that apparently the MIG deal was off though Nehru had stated it had merely been postponed. Nehru seemed intent on maintaining a relationship with the Soviets. There were no indications that the Soviets have intervened to stop the Chinese Communists; on the other hand Mr. Harriman reached the conclusion that the ChiComs had only limited objectives which they had accomplished and that they did not at this time intend to attempt conquest of the Assam Plain. It is quite possible their objectives might be extended in the future but only after further preparation on their part.

With respect to the London agreement,2 it appears there is no firm understanding of how the costs of the initial phase are to be divided, but the agreement calls for each side to supply the equipment which it is best equipped to supply. The British have agreed on 10 million pounds and may add another 5 million pounds. The Canadians and Australians have indicated modest help. McNamara protested the arrangement, stating that it might require between 120 and 150 million dollars from the United States. The President expressed the belief that we should split on a 50-50 basis with the Commonwealth. A subcommittee was appointed to work out details.

[Here follows discussion unrelated to South Asia.]

John A. McCone3
  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, McCone Files, Job 80 B 01285A, Box 6, DCI Meetings with the President, 1 July 1962-3 December 1962. Top Secret. Drafted by McCone.↩
  2. A copy of Harriman’s report is in Department of State, S/S Files: Lot 70 D 265, NSC Subcommittee on South Asia. The conclusions of the report are summarized in Document 220.↩
  3. Reference is to the agreement transmitted in telegram 1865 from London, November 14, which is summarized in Document 198.↩
  4. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩