MEMORANDUM FOR GENERAL CARTER (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R002900240020-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 16, 2007
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: June 9, 1962
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Rel ase 2007/05/16: CIA-RD 01676R0029002
9 June 1962
MEMORANDUM FOR: General Cat
In the attached, Tab A is a memo for Alexis Johnson prepared by
Leonard Meeker, the Department's Legal Adviser to the US UN delegation.
Tab B is a memo prepared by Larry Houston for the DCI reflecting CIA's
advice in the preparation of a draft speech for John McCloy's use in
England in mid-May. Tab C is the jointly-agreed outline prepared for
McCloy's use.
In his memo to Johnson, Meeker looks ahead to future prospects
regarding the law of outer space. He argues that the US can espouse the
goal of assuring use of outer space for peaceful purposes only, and, in doing
so, must "seek to bring about realization and acceptance ... that many
military uses ... are peaceful, " and not agressive. For example, he says,
reconnaissance satellites are intrinsically similar to weather satellites.
He urges that it be clearly understood that the term "peaceful uses" in any
UN resolution is in the context of activities which do not threaten use of
force.
As regards "air boundaries, " Meeker concludes that it does not
appear feasible now to negotiate for such limits. He thinks it preferable
for the US to imply that we seek low space boundaries (say 20 miles or
less), but that we continue to conduct our space activities in the absence of
agreement on boundaries.
"Contamination" of space via microbes, communications needles, and
the like, is something that cannot be prevented, Meeker holds. Meeker
offers, as a "tentative prognosis, " that the US will want to develop the
principle of non-interference with satellites to lessen the prospect of the
Soviets shooting down ours. Meeker raises legal questions about national
installations built on celestial bodies, and suggests the ultimate answer
to these may lie in something like the Antarctic Treaty.
Tabs B and C, concerning preparations for McCloy's speech to the
Anglo-American Assembly deal primarily with an effort to justify non-
agressive use of outer space satellites and to develop a. flexible public
position on matters pertaining to the law of outer space.
OGC Has Reviewed
DOJ Review Completed.
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
C%-- I r T- ! I
lj,"~ 6.2-
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Approved For Release 2007/05/16: CIA-RDP80BO1676R002900240020-5
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OB01676R002900240020-5
E 6
MEMORANDUM TOR : Director of Central lmtelli4ance
SUBJECT: Law of Oster Space
1. This memoranduin is for information only.
Z. A representative of this office attt.ndmd a r+e aiy an
19 April 1%Z at the Department of State with Mr. John J. McQoy
in preparation for his spstr.4 in England 13 May 1962. State
and NASA were rspreesaatsd but not the Dap arty eu% Uar:fensee.,
3. Tiers was general agreement oft the cm-,caps of fres4ass
of outer space for all nations, inclwAiarag o.se of , ata..l#tes for nea-
a.ggrsssive purposes. Mr. McCI.y piano to etriiss that the :Ears
world has no fear of sur'rsillsa'cs and it is only the closed states
of the Soviet Bloc wkici have to fear wes.tt:1e t oz of teer pho rapky.
We are stressing he feel that rsgistratt of sa-ol.it.s with toss
United Nations is ice so way a limttat oar. an the f rsedorn a f sass
any more than aertsin rules and cour
. . an r e ;istrati
of
*hipping weseld be to frex.dom of the soar..
if we can find any a.sadul material an tthica
We &!-* to ieg
.t Mr. Cy a
&10
use. NASA and State particularly the forsasr?, were cri tvA
Weasels policy of secrecy of satellite laswthll= a.&d ps;k?isic laxly
of the failure to rel.ass t ae photographic product. This it io.
political approach and we believe Mr. McCoy dare d.s the
classification of to s and product is a i cwssia s t
freedom of space says more than pr r cttit: of tka tee eiqusa vatid
product of the maritime MINT operations is is.sceeaeiae# t with
freedom of the seas. Wo have reco ox ode . th ;t Mr,. Ma
concern himself only with broad ao ncepte s.rd ee. t let etc, .
contentious details ae cabere enter space bexi;iv s or the other more
legalistic quibbles.
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 ILLEGIB Approved For Release 2007/05/16: CIA-RDP80B01676R002900240020-5
Approved For Release 2007/05/16: CIA-RDP80BO1676R002900240020-5