209. Letter From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Packard) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2
Dear Henry:
This is to advise you that all requirements stated in your memorandum of 15 December 1970 concerning the plan for destruction of biological agents and weapons have been met. Each involved Congressional delegation, Governor, and Mayor of the local city was notified and provided a copy of the unclassified Environmental Impact Statement for review at 1100 hours on 18 December 1970. The Pentagon Press Briefing was conducted on 18 December 1970 at 1130 hours. Simultaneous press briefings with the Pentagon Press Briefing were held at the three principal operational areas. A copy of the Detailed Notification and Briefing Schedule is enclosed for your information. No adverse publicity has been received at this time on the detailed plans presented.
I am very gratified in the President’s reaction to the plan for destruction of the biological materials. I will send a separate message to the Secretary of the Army to assure that President Nixon’s commendation is passed on to those who participated in the effort.
Sincerely,
- Source: Ford Library, Melvin Laird Papers, Box 39, Chemical Warfare & Biological Research, Vol. III, Jan. 1971–July 1972, Calendar (1). No classification marking.↩
- Packard notified Kissinger that all of the requirements outlined his December 15, 1970 memorandum concerning the plan for destruction of biological agents and weapons had been met.↩