278. Editorial Note
On December 4, Marion Boggs forwarded to the National Security Council Planning Board a draft Statement of Policy by the National Security Council on “Long–Range U.S. Policy Toward the Near East,” prepared in the Department of State on the basis of previous memoranda prepared for the Planning Board, including the October 30 Department of State Staff Study (Document 270). A copy of the draft statement and Boggs’ covering memorandum are in Department of State, S/P–NSC Files: Lot 61 D 167, NSC 5801.
[Page 663]The statement was considered by the National Security Council Planning Board on December 6. According to the record of the meeting, the Board referred the section of the draft paper entitled “General Considerations” to the Board Assistants for revision in light of the discussion at the meeting. The Board also requested the Department of State member to report at the next scheduled meeting of the Board on the Department of State’s views as to the extent to which recent sensitive policy developments should be incorporated in the draft statement of policy. (Ibid., S/P–NSC Files: Lot 62 D 1)
On December 27, Boggs circulated to the National Security Council Board Assistants the text of “Suggested Changes in Draft Statement of Long–Range United States Policy Toward the Near East”, prepared in the Department of State. On December 31, Boggs circulated to the National Security Council Planning Board the revised text of the “General Considerations” and “Objectives” sections of the draft statement of policy, prepared by the NSC Board Assistants in light of the Planning Board discussion. (Ibid., S/P–NSC Files: Lot 61 D 167, NSC 5801 File) The final draft of NSC 5801, “Long–Range U.S. Policy Toward the Near East”, January 10, 1958, and adopted as amended at the 352d meeting of the National Security Council on January 22, is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1958–1960, volume XII.