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General Cutler turned to the next issue selected by the
Planning Board, namely, the issue of stationing IRBMs around the
Sino-Seviet periphery. He read the Planning Board recommendation
on this issue as follows:
"In view of the prospective Soviet ICBM capability and
the resulting increase in the vulnerability of the continental United States, our continued ability to deter general war will be better ensured by the positioning of
IRBM's in selected areas around the SinosSoviet periphery.
Such positioning must be carefully planned to avoid pressing the Sino-Soviet bloc to the point thet may incline it
to miscaleulate our objectives and conclude that our intentions have become aggressive, thereby making it feel
obliged to react violently.
/The implications of posi-
tioning IRBM's around the Sino-Soviet periphery outside
the NATO area are of such import that a decision to do
80 should be made through NSC procedures, o
in light
of the over-all advantages and disadvantages. /*
"* ODM-Treasury-Budget proposal."
After General Cutler had explained why the ODM, Treasury
and Budget members of the Planning Board had felt it desirable to
include the bracketed last sentence of the above recommendation,
and why the majority of the Planning Board had objected to its inclusion, the President expressed his hearty agreement with the ODMTreasury-Budget proposed addition. He took issue with the majority
view that this was solely a military matter, and said that it seemed
plain to him that the decision involved more than military matters.
Secretary Herter agreed with the President on the strong political
element involved in a decision to station IRBMs in bases on the
Sino-Soviet periphery outside of NATO. Accordingly, the ODMTreasury-Budget language was included.
On the third issue--nemely, a Western Mediterranean Pact
--General Cutler read the Planning Board recommendation as follows:
"Consideration is being given by the Departments of State
and Defense to the feasibility and desirability of a Western Mediterranean defense arrangement embracing Spain, the
United Kingdom, France, Italy, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria,
and Libya."
The Council adopted the Planning Board language without discussion
or change.
On the fourth issue--a chain of bases in Central Africa
--General Cutler read the Planning Board recommendation as follows:
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