189. Memorandum From Michael Donley of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Carlucci)1
SUBJECT
- Minutes of JCS meeting with the President
The JCS met with the President on December 19th to discuss progress in implementing NSDD–250, and the worldwide exercise program.
Further background material on NSDD–250 has been provided for your reference. NSDD–250 (at Tab E)2 directed the JCS to evaluate the military implications of proposals to eliminate ballistic missiles by 1996. The final report is not expected until the end of January, but an Initial Progress Report (Tab D)3 was sent to the President December 5th. A summary of the Progress Report is at Tab C.4
In their meeting with the President the JCS went beyond the Progress Report and discussed their preliminary conclusions. Dr. Keel approved the memo to SecDef and CJCS (at Tab B)5 in response to the meeting and our analysis of the Progress Report.
The meeting Minutes were compiled and cross-checked against three sources: Donley notes; Linhard notes; and Admiral Crowe’s script for the 12/19 briefing. While we recognize the awkwardness of your approving the Minutes of a meeting you did not attend, the National [Page 626] Security Advisor usually approves such Minutes prior to their transmittal to the Diarist.
Recommendation
That you approve the meeting Minutes at Tab A for signature by the Executive Secretary.6
Bill Cockell and Lint Brooks concur.
- Source: Reagan Library, Michael Donley Files, Subject File, [Joint Chiefs of Staff] JCS Meeting with President 12/19/86. Top Secret. Sent for action.↩
- Attached but not printed. See Document 152.↩
- Attached but not printed. See Document 182.↩
- Attached but not printed. See Document 174.↩
- Attached but not printed. See Document 187.↩
- Carlucci approved the recommendation. The minutes are attached but not printed; see Document 183.↩