Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973–1976

201. Memorandum for the Record¹

Washington, April 4, 1975.

SUBJECT

• Ad Hoc 40 Committee Meeting on MATADOR

On Friday, 28 March 1975, an ad hoc meeting of the 40 Committee was held following a meeting of the National Security Council.²

General Scowcroft reported that Director Colby distributed a paper³ on MATADOR reflecting his reluctant conclusion that “it is inadvisable to undertake a second mission” [less than 1 line not declassified]–0253/75). It was decided to continue preparations for a second mission.

Mr. Colby reported that Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Dr. Kissinger, Mr. Clements, Mr. Sisco, General Brown, and General Scowcroft joined him at the meeting of the Committee. Secretary Schlesinger thought it possible to attempt a second mission, depending upon assessment of Soviet reactions, and therefore no decision on whether to try a second operation should be made yet. Mr. Colby said Secretary Schlesinger’s views were persuasive.

Rob Roy Ratliff

1. Source: National Security Council Files, Ford Administration Intelligence Files, 40 Committee Meetings, Minutes/Approvals, 1975. Top Secret; [codeword not declassified]; MATADOR. No distribution. Drafted by Ratliff.
2. The NSC met on March 28 to discuss Middle East Policy. The record of the meeting is printed as Document 166 in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Vol. XXVI, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1974–1976.
3. Document 198.