DRAFT OF REBUTTAL TO THE SYMINGTON SPEECH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-12-3-28-4
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 24, 2009
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: March 3, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/12/24: LOC-HAK-12-3-28-4
49 101,
CIDIAL March 3. 1971
MEMORANDUM J'0R: JOHN HUNTSMAN
g'> .C-MI AL HAIG
SUBJECTS Draft of Rebuttal to the Symington
Speech
Attached is our initial draft of the rebuttal to the Symington speech.
I am having an additional paragraph prepared which will be avail.
able shortly. It will address the issue of the NSC budget,
especially as it pertains to reimbursement to the Departments for
persoaearl costs for the coming year in line with the ongoing of-
forts to surface Whit. House costs accurately.
We have undertaken a program of rointhurs*nwat for personnel
on loan from the various departments and agencies where they
fit into a support role. This would not apply to career personnel
who are, on regular departmental payrolls. such as career
military, career State, career CIA professionals.
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
Attachment
IAL
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 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/12/24: LOC-HAK-12-3-28-4
Senator Symington shows a surprising lack of knowledge of how the NSC
system works. The function of the National Security Council system is to
advise the President and support him in his decision making role and does
not as an enmity itself make, decisions -- only the President does. There
are a number of factual errors and misconceptions contained in Senator
Symington's statements among which are:
-- That Dr. Kissinger makes major foreign policy decisions and therefore
should justify his actions before the proper committees of the
Congress. . Dr. Kissinger has the dual role of adviser to the
President and manager of the NSC system. Foreign policy decisions
are made by the President and the Secretary of State in those
areas where authority has been delegated by the President.
- The number of substantive officers on the NSC staff is approximately
50 not 110 as implied by Senator Symington.
-- Mr. Schultz as Director of the Budget has traditionally testified
before the appropriate professional committees on the overall national
budget. Dr. Kissinger's counterpart in domestic affairs, John
Ehrlichman is like Dr. Kissinger a member of the President's
personal staff and therefore does not testify before Congressional
committees but is accountable directly to the President.
~- The purpose of the NSC staff is not as described by Senator Symington
to advise the z en-lbers of the,Council." The purpose of the staff rather
i 4 4
is to "provide the President and the Council with the strongest
possible support. "
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 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/12/24: LOC-HAK-12-3-28-4
-- The workhorse of the system are the six interdepartmental
groups and these are chaired by the Assistant Secretaries
of State. They do the basic policy development and produce the
basic policy paperA for consideration by the NSC. The authority
rests in the representative of the Department of State.
- Dr. Kissinger is not a member of the National Security Council;
the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense are members.
- Senator Symington did not even mention the Under Secretaries
Committee which is a key element of the NSC system. Policy
matters of the level of importance not requiring deliberation by
the National Security Council are handled by the Under Secretaries
Committee chaired by the Under Secretary of State.
-- The implementation of Presidential decisions is charged to the
Under Secretariep Committee which is chaired by the Under
Secretary of State.
The basic responsibility for preparing policy papers and ideas
forwarded to the Council remains with the statutory departments
and agencies. One of the virtues of using the more formal procedure
of the Council is that it assures all interested parties within the
Executive Branch of full hearing of their views. The function of the
Council staff is to see that this as done in a systematic manner pres-
cribed by the President and to insure that once policy recisions
are made, they are disseminated and fully explained to those
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responsible for their implementation.
All major decisions that involve the U. S. in. Indochina have been
made by the President only after full and complete deliberation
with all of the relevant senior advisers.
- Senator Symington also makes a number of allegations based upon
speculative newspaper accounts concerning the ARVN incursion
into Laos and the conduct of the Strategic Arms Limitation `1 ,1ks.
Neither of these allegations is supported by fact.
- The DPRC ism*3 for the first time provides a forum. wherein
the State Department, ACDA and the domestic agencies get an
opportunity to consider the national defense budget in light of overall
national priorities. This group has had significant influence upon
decisions on basic weapons policy and related matters.
-- While this Administration has followed the unbroken precedent of
four presidents not to release National Security Council documents
(quotation from 1961 Kennedy letter), this Administration has not
invoked executive privilge and has directed that the exercise of
executive privilege will be reserved to the President himself.
The various allegations that Dr. Kissinger was "responsible"
for one or another particular point of view is based on a xxiisconceptior
of Dr. lfissinger's role in theN'ati canal Security Council 1-11aachinery.
Further, these rumors have no basis in fact.
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 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2009/12/24: LOC-HAK-12-3-28-4
-- Senator Syrn.ington's curious account of the genesis of the State
of the World message 1969 is simply false. The intention to produce
such a report originated with the President elect and all departments
were asked for contributions through the ]\7SC system..
-- Since the beginning of this Administration, State and Defense Depart-
ments have assisted in the preparation of background information for
the President's use for press appearances.
The Senator's allegation that Dr. Kissinger is isolated from members
of the Senate is simply net true. Dr. Kissinger and members of his
staff have met with and have briefed members of Congress and the
Senate on many many occasions and remained accessible to Senators
and Congressmen on an informal basis.
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