Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXV, Organization of Foreign Policy; Information Policy; United Nations; Scientific Matters

65. Memorandum for the Record¹

Washington, March 13, 1963.

SUBJECT

• Division of Seventh Floor Responsibilities

Messrs. Ball, Harriman, and Alex Johnson met for lunch on March 13 to discuss this subject.

The following topics were covered:

1. Fish. After an extended discussion by Alex Johnson to the desirability of Governor Harriman taking over this problem, it was decided that the handling of this matter would be analyzed further. Governor Harriman and Mr. Johnson will talk about it and then talk further with the Secretary as to who should have primary responsibility for this activity.

2. Labor. It was agreed that Governor Harriman will take over the labor problem. (This will necessitate a change in the FAM Circular #44.)

3. Bill Jorden and Psychological Warfare. Mr. Johnson recounted at some length the background of the initiation of this operation, citing the interest of the Attorney General in this activity. It was agreed that a decision on the disposition of this activity would be deferred until Governor Harriman had had a chance to talk with Bill Jorden and acquaint himself further with the nature of this operation.

4. Timberlake and Soviet Counter Strategy. The historical background of this operation (first under Dillon, then Ball, and then transferred in part to INR) was recounted by Mr. Johnson. The Governor agreed that he would look at it further before making a final decision as to what to do with this operation. Both Messrs. Ball and Johnson, however, suggested that it should be liquidated.

5. Special Group-CI. Governor Harriman indicated that Mac Bundy had urged that he take over this particular activity. Mr. Johnson said that he would be glad to have the Governor undertake this operation. Before a final decision was reached, however, it was agreed that Messrs. Johnson and Harriman would talk about this between themselves and then with Mac Bundy.

6. Under Secretary’s Committee on Foreign Economic Policy. While this was not a specific item for discussion, it was mentioned in connection with the examination of the problem with Bill Jorden and psychological warfare that Governor Harriman might broaden out this Committee to include other agencies and use it as a forum for acquainting them with the Department’s operations and what they might do to assist the Department. Specific mention was made of including the Department of Justice on the Committee.

7. Outer Space. It was agreed that Alex Johnson would handle both the peaceful and the military aspects of Outer Space, but that Governor Harriman would represent the Secretary on the Vice President’s Space Council. All matters relating to space would come to Governor Harriman through Mr. Johnson.

8. Science. There was very little discussion of this subject. It was agreed that the Science Office under Dr. Rollefson was a functional unit (much like the Legal Adviser’s Office) and that it was not necessary to make it the particular responsibility of any one individual.

9. Disarmament. Mr. Johnson explained that his office did the staff work on this while the Under Secretary for Political Affairs sat on the Deputies Committee of the Committee of Principals. Mr. Johnson also stressed, however, that the Secretary looked primarily not to the Department, but to ACDA, for briefing on this particular subject. While it was suggested that Alex Johnson might take over this particular function it was agreed that Governor Harriman would take a look into it before a final decision on this subject is made.

10. Civil Aviation. Governor Harriman said that he understood that there was a problem here vis-a-vis Jeeb Halaby. He asked who handled it now in the Department. He was informed that Phil Trezise was the man who was on top of the aviation problem on a day-to-day basis. The Governor indicated that he would talk with Mr. Trezise about this matter in order to acquaint himself with it.

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, ORG 10. Official Use Only; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Springsteen. Copies were sent to Brubeck (S/S), Sullivan (FE), and Hackler (G).