104. Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (Wilson)1
Washington, March 23,
1956.
SUBJECT
- U.S. Adherence to the Baghdad Pact
- 1.
- During the past year, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have on several occasions expressed views to point out the military advantages of early United States adherence to the Baghdad Pact, while recognizing the inherent implications with regard to increased military and economic aid.
- 2.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff realize that United States adherence to the Baghdad Pact is but one of several actions being studied which may involve the United States in the Middle East. However, the formation of the Baghdad Pact organization, and particularly its military planning, is advancing rapidly. In the light of this progress and of the critical situation in the Middle East, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from a military point of view, recommend that the United States adhere to the Baghdad Pact without delay, and that the Secretary of State be so advised.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Sp. Asst. for Nat. Sec. Affairs Records. Top Secret. Gordon Gray sent a copy of this memorandum to Secretary Dulles on April 2. (Department of State, Central Files, 780.5/4–256) Secretary of Defense Wilson forwarded a copy of the memorandum to NSC Executive Secretary Lay on April 5 (see Document 109), who in turn transmitted both memoranda to the NSCon April 9.↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩