Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file
Memorandum of Discussion at the 151st Meeting of the National Security Council, Thursday, June 25, 19531
eyes only
[Extract]
The following were present at the 151st meeting of the Council: The President of the United States, presiding; the Vice President of the United States; the Secretary of State; the Secretary of Defense; the Director for Mutual Security; the Director, Office of Defense Mobilization. Also present were the Secretary of the Treasury; the Director, Bureau of the Budget; Admiral Fechteler for the Chairman, [Page 1180] Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Director of Central Intelligence; Robert Cutler, Special Assistant to the President; Lewis L. Strauss, Special Assistant to the President; C. D. Jackson, Special Assistant to the President; the Military Liaison Officer; the Executive Secretary, NSC; and the Deputy Executive Secretary, NSC.
There follows a summary of the discussion at the meeting and the main points taken.
1. Military Requirements for Atomic Weapons (NSC Action No. 768–f)2
The National Security Council:3
Noted a report by the Secretary of Defense, as read by Mr. Cutler, that, pursuant to NSC Action No. 768–f, the Secretary of Defense:
- a.
- Had concluded, after review with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that the assumptions and calculations used in arriving at military requirements for atomic weapons are not significantly changed by the force requirements envisaged in the FY 1954 budget.
- b.
- Intends to ask the new Joint Chiefs of Staff to review the entire program for military weapons, and presumes that the new Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission will likewise review the production and development of atomic weapons by the Commission.
- c.
- Considers that these two actions should provide the guidelines for future determinations in this field and that it is not prudent to alter our military requirements pending the completion of these actions.
. . . . . . .