Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Volume III

245. Memorandum for the Record⁰

Washington, February 28, 1960.

Mr. Herter met briefly with the President on February 28th. [Here follows a brief discussion of Panama.]

Mr. Herter next said that he had received a long letter on disarmament from Selwyn Lloyd.¹ The President read through this letter. He stated that he agrees with Lloyd on one point—that if we are to condition everything on elimination of nuclear weapons, we will never make any progress, because they could be hidden so easily as to make policing impossible. The President said he thought we should not take the position that we will not negotiate on “stage three” items until “stage two” items have been completely implemented.² We can say, however, that we will not sign an agreement on stage three items until the earlier stages are completely in effect. Mr. Herter said this is exactly the problem with Defense. They do not want to discuss or negotiate on stage three items— for example, limitation on missiles, reduction in weapons and forces, etc. —until stage two is in effect. He thought it should be possible to find some kind of language that would accommodate our own and the British positions, on the basis of what the President said. The President said what he had in mind is that implementation should follow a certain order. Study of disarmament measures should desirably follow the same order, but it would be possible to start some of these studies earlier if there is a specific need—even while holding strictly to the sequence of implementation.

The President said he found it difficult to understand the thinking of Defense in this matter. I explained to him as did Secretary Herter that Defense is fearful that we will start talking about stage three items and then, because of the pressure of world opinion, be unwilling to adhere to our requirement that the implementation of these be delayed until after stage two is in effect.

A.J. Goodpaster³
Brigadier General, USA

0. Source: Eisenhower Library, White House Office Files, Staff Secretary Records, Secret. Drafted by Goodpaster on March 8.
1. Apparent reference to an undated message from Lloyd to Herter, transmitted by British Ambassador Caccia. (Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204, UK Officials Correspondence with Secretary Herter) See the Supplement.
2. See footnote 4, Document 244.
3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.