PROPOSED OPC 'PARTY LINE' WITH CERTAIN KEY PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02207433
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2021
• Case Number: F-2017-00953
• Publication Date: June 15, 1949

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liApproved for Release: 2021/11/15 CO2207433
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'15 June 1949
MEMORANDUM FOR R. OFFIE
SUBJECT: Proposed OPC "Party, Line" with Certain Key People
in 'Washington
1. I an more than a bit leery of the proposal contained in the
attached memoremum to the effect that OPC take the specified line
with "Certain Key People in Washington".
2. The reasons for my concern are various, and include the
following:
a. The frank recognition of the oinevitahlenese" and even
the nearness of the third World war will not only be distaste-
ful and even irritating to certain of our PrinciAl supporters
but represents a very material departure from what I have been
given to understand by George Xemlnau, Al Wedemeyer and Mr.
Lovett as being the underlying polio/ of the concept of OPC,
viz, that it is possible to avert a third world war by drastic
actions of an affirmative character short of war and;
b. Unless the key people to he tailed to are exactly the
right ones and are in exactly the right mood at the moment,
we may well be criticized for involving ourselves in an un-
desirable manner in high policy matters with which we are
not concerned.
3. I grant that it is necessary for us to be completely
realistic and I do not necessarilT differ with your conclusions
but I an troubled about your approach as stated in this memorandum.
I think it would be much wiser and safer for us to modify your
proposed line, at least to the extent of saying that whereas we
must continue to work all out in an effort to avert war, it is
necessary for those giving ts policy- guidance to have steadily
before them the possibility of war, and to make their own plans
accordingly�leavening their policy guidance to us in a manner
which would appropriately reflect their recognition of the real
danger.
irr STORT C11, D0r,T5M.IIITT
DestrO7t.er"
G. ITISNia (
Aseistant Director for
Policy Coordination
tt Memorandum dated 31 May, 1949, Subject: ',Proposed OPC
Line, with Certain Key People in Washington;�
Ms Ailk
' Approved for Release: 2021/11/15 CO2207433