a,
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(2) The increased Soviet defenses which made it more difficult
for any given number of SAC planes to reach Soviet targets.
This difficulty was somewhat offset by the fact that even
if SAC planes were intercepted over Soviet territory before
reaching their targets, their nuclear weapons would still be
detonated and cause fall-out on the USSR.
Mr. Sprague explained that he presented this information as an
explanation in support of the recommendations by the Security Resources
Panel as to the urgent need for reducing SAC vulnerability and improving SAC reaction time.
After Mr. Sprague had answered a question by Secretary Dulles in
elaboration of his oral statement, the President thanked Mr. Sprague
and Mr. Foster and the meeting adjourned without further discussion.
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JAMES S. LAY, JR.
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The National Security Council:
a. Noted and discussed the Report to the President, prepared
by the Security Resources Panel of the ODM Science Advisory
Committee pursuant to NSC Action No. 1691-b-(2), on “Deterrence
and Survival in the Nuclear Age".
b. Requested the heads of the departments and agencies designated
below (in appropriate coordination in each case with the heads
of the other interested departments and agencies indicated in
parentheses) to study the conclusions indicated and to submit
initial comments and recommendations to the Council through the
NSC Planning Board on or before December 15, 1957, with respect
thereto:
(1) The Secretary of State:
(a) Page 11, paragraph IV-C-1: Pooling economic, technological
and political resources with allies (Defense, ODM, AEC)
(b) Page 12
REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY
soe
ry
nations.
IV-C-3: Measures to assure uncommitted
(Defense, ICA
(2) The Secretary of Defense:
(a) Page
6, paragraph IITI-A-1l: Lessening SAC vulnerability
to Russian bomber attack.
(>) Page 6, paragraph III-A-2: lessening SAC bulnerability
to Russian ICBM attack.
(c) Pages 6, 7, paragraph III-A-3: Increasing strategic
offensive power.
(d) Page 7, paragraph III-A-4: Augmenting forces
f
for limited
military operations (State)
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