MEMORANDUM OF MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT, ATTORNEY GENERAL, SECRETARY MCNAMARA, GENERAL TAYLOR AND

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001900100021-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 21, 2003
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: October 21, 1962
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 20U3J1J4/
October 21, 1962
MEMORANDUM OF MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT, ATTORNEY
GENERAL, SECRETARY McNAMARA, GENERAL TAYLOR, AND
MR. McCONE.
1. General Sweeney reviewed in considerable detail the plans
for an air strike against the missile bases, the air fields, a few
SAM sites in critical locations and finally the plans for invasion.
2. It was decided that at a minimum an air strike must
include both the missile sites and the air fields and such SAM
sites as are necessary, and General Taylor was instructed to
plan accordingly.
3. There was complete agreement that military action
must include an invasion and occupation of Cuba.
4. Secretary McNamara and General Taylor told the
President that an air strike could not provide absolute assurance
that all missiles were destroyed; they indicated a 90 per cent
probability. They also stated that any warning would very
possibly cause the movement of missiles to obscure unknown
locations from which they could become operational. General
Taylor therefore recommended, on the basis of military grounds, that
the air strike be conducted immediately, suggesting tomorrow morn-
ing, and that it be without warning. Secretary McNamara confirmed
the military appraisal expressed above but made no recommendation
as to policy.
5. In response to direct questioning from the President, the
Attorney. General and McCone advised against surprise attack for
the reasons discussed at previous meetings. The Attorney General
failed to make an absolute recommendation with respect to future
military actions, indicating this question could be decided as the
situation developed from day to day, and that only preparatory
OSD REVIEW
COMPLETED
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steps should be taken now. McCone urged on the other hand that
the President in a public statement indicate an intention to re-
move the missiles and other potential weapons by means and at
a time of his own choosing if surveillance did not prove con-
clusively that the Soviets and the Cubans were removing them.
6. The meeting adjourned to be reconvened at 2:30, with
additional principals in attendance.
John A. McCone
Director
Approved For Relea