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By way of suggesting a consensus, General Cutler asked whether
the Council action on this agenda item should state that the National
Security Council found that the FY 1959 Defense Department Budget and
programs were consistent with the requirements of our national security
policies.
‘The President seemed to find General Cutler's sug,estion
desirable but added that he wished Mr. Killian and Secretary McElroy
to go over the figures which had been presented to the Council at
this meeting with a view to seeing just how much of this money must
be placed in the New Obligational Authority column for the FY 1959.
Should the total figure be presented for NOA or should it be pertly
presented for NQA and partly for Contingent Contract Authority in
addition to NOA? The President went on to remind the members of the
Council that when the Council had first become involved directly in
the ballistic missiles programs he had expressed the opinion that the
effect of ballistic missiles would be more important in the psychological
area than in the area of military weapons. He still felt that as a
weapon the manned bomber was superior to the missile. We were now,
however, in a transitional period but it was still a question how much
money we are justified in asking for on behalf of these missiles proIn conclusion the President again directed Secretary McElroy
grams.
to provide Mr. Killian with the crystallized views of the Department
of Defense after which he wished these views to be considered at a
restricted meeting.
The National Security Council:
&. Noted and discussed an oral presentation, pursuant to NSC
Action No. 1816, of the recommendations by the Secretary
of Defense as to the U.S. Military Programs for FY 1959 and
augmentations for FY 1958, as presented at the meeting by
the Secretary of Defense and Assistant Secretary of Defense
McNeil.
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b. Agreed that, subject to normal budgetary review and final
action by the President, the U.S. Military Programs for
FY 1959 and the augmentations for FY 1958, as recommended
by the Secretary of Defense at this meeting, were generally
consistent with national security policy objectives.
- Noted the President's request that the Secretary of Defense
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- Noted the President's desire that the Secretary of Defense
assure himself that the amounts for the U.S. military programs
for FY 1959 and the augmentations for FY 1958, to be recommended for final action by the President, represent what is
necessary for the national security without reflecting
excessive concern.
review with the Special Assistant to the President for Science
and Technology the amount of new funds that should be requested
for each FY 1959 "augmentation program" (other than the
Cordiner recommendations and the civilian pay increase) presented at this meeting.
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