70. Letter From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs (Kitchen) to the Director of the White House Office of Emergency Planning (McDermott)1

Dear Mr. McDermott:

In the absence of the Secretary and Ambassador Thompson, I am responding to your letter of December 8, 1964,2 concerning emergency operating facilities for the Department of State.

We are aware of the fact that our use of the Special Facility as an operational relocation site is contrary to the intended purpose of that installation. Consequently, we welcome your decision to include this Department’s requirements in the initial phase of the recently approved five-year plan for providing protected emergency sites around the perimeter of the National Capital area. Pending the completion and occupancy of an alternative facility, we assume, of course, that there will be no change in current arrangements with respect to the availability of the Special Facility for our emergency operations.

Since this project will require major contributions from our management and budget staffs, we believe that our Bureau of Administration should participate actively in both its preliminary planning and developmental stages. Accordingly, Mr. Richard R. Brown, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Administration, as well as Joseph F. Vaughn of my staff, will be available for necessary consultation with your representatives.

We are most appreciative of the consideration which your Office and its predecessors have given to the emergency operational requirements of the Department of State.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey C. Kitchen 3
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, DEF 1 US. Confidential. Drafted by Joseph F. Vaughan on December 15 and cleared by Brown (A).
  2. Document 64.
  3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.