273. Editorial Note
On November 5, the National Security Council Planning Board considered the Staff Study, Document 270. The Board also noted that the Department of State would prepare a draft statement of policy on the subject in light of the discussion. The record of the meeting is in Department of State, S/P–NSC Files: Lot 62 D 1.
Subsequent to the meeting, Robert Cutler included in his weekly report to Sherman Adams the following account of the discussion on the study during the November 5 meeting:
“The first half of the meeting was devoted to further consideration of the State Department’s draft of a staff study on the Near East. While this draft does constitute a first rate analysis of the existing situation in the Near East and the obstacles confronting U.S. objectives in the area, I felt it to be defective in its suggestions for positive revision of our existing policy. Accordingly, at the end of the discussion, I made certain proposals for a new, fresh look at our objectives and future courses of action in the Near East. I also urged the Planning Board to do its best to come up with new and original recommendations for formulating a realistic and effective U.S. policy in the Near East.” (Memorandum from Cutler to Adams, November 12; Eisenhower Library, Staff Secretary Records)