433. Editorial Note

The outline of U.S. policy on communications satellites was set by President Kennedy’s public release on July 24, 1961, of recommendations of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, which invited all nations to join with the United States in a commercial satellite program. See Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1961, pages 529–531. One of the main objectives of promoting international cooperation was to forestall development of competing systems by the United States, the Soviet bloc, Western Europe, and others. Coordination of U.S. policy was handled by a special Subcommittee on Communications Satellites of the NSC Subcommittee on Communications. The special Subcommittee was established on January 28, 1963, with W. Michael Blumenthal as Chairman. (Memorandum from Orrick to Department of State Principals, January 28; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, IO Files: Lot 67 D 378, ITU)