MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE SPECIAL GROUP; 17 MAY1962

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001900120018-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 5, 2005
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: May 17, 1962
• Content Type: MFR

Approvedr Release 2006/03/17: CIA-RDP80B0 76R001900120018-2
17 May 1962
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT: Minutes of Meeting of the Special Group; 17 May 1962
PRESENT: General Taylor; Mr. Johnson; Mr. McCone; Mr. William
Bundy and General Lemnitzer
Outer Space
Mr. Carl Kaysen joined the Group for this discussion.
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General Taylor called the Group's attention to the letter from
Dr. Killian, addressed to the President, dated 16 May 1962, on the
subject of our policy with respect to satellites. General Taylor
said that this letter basically states that the United States must
formulate a clear position with respect to the relationship of
reconnaissance satellites to our stand on peaceful uses of outer
space; that the President should review and approve the position of
this Government on these matters; and that key representatives in-
volved in international discussions of these topics should be briefed
on essential elements of the reconnaissance program.
Mr. Johnson pointed out that all pertinent position papers had
been cleared within the Government and that this had been doubly
assured by asking the principals of the Special Group to verify for
themselves that all essential interests had been taken into con-
sideration. The suggestion was then made that a possible gap existed
with respect to the Committee of Principals, in its disarmament dis-
cussions. Mr. Johnson said that he thought the key to bridging any
such gap is the overlapping of membership between the Committee of
Principals and such committees as the Special Group itself.
Mr. Johnson also distributed a coordinated contingency paper
covering the position the U.S. should take should the Soviets intro-
duce a resolution to ban reconnaissance activities in outer space.
He also said that arrangements had been made for a Colonel from the
Defense Department who is knowledgable of these programs to be attached
to the committee which will discuss legal aspects of outer space in the
UN forum.
Copy / of 6 Copies
NRO review(s) completed.
Page 1 of 2 Pages NSC review(s) completed.
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The necessity of clearing certain key individuals having to do
with disarmament, the United Nations, etc., was acknowledged. The
suggestion was made that for this purpose a full KH-type clearance
would not be required, but that perhaps some sort of administrative
clearance could be arranged with the idea of telling such individuals
only that an extensive reconnaissance satellite program is in being
and that the results are of great value to the U.S.
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It was agreed that, as an immediate response to the Killian
letter, State, coordinating with Defense and CIA, should draft a
letter for the President to send to Dr. Killian. This would be
accompanied by a covering memorandum, explaining for the President's
information exactly what the status of coordination on these matters
is. Mr. Kaysen suggested that it might be of interest to the
President to see the recent paper, prepared for the Special Group
by the CIA, on the subject of Soviet knowledge of US reconnaissance
programs, as well as the contingency paper just distributed by Mr.
Johnson. Mr. Kaysen urged that in consideration of this entire
matter, urgent attention be given also to looking ahead to establishing
a coordinated U.S. position in support of our stand on the legitimacy
of reconnaissance activities in outer space.
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Distribution
Mr. Johnson
Mr. Gilpatric
Mr. McCone
Mr. Kaysen
General Taylor
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