LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT FROM ALLEN W. DULLES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R004300020002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 25, 2006
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: March 13, 1959
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2006/07/28: CIA-RDP80BO1676R004300020002-3
1959
The White House
Washington 25, D. C.
TheP
Dear Mr. President:
With your note of 5 March 1959, you sent me some TOP
SECRET memoranda from Prime Minister Macmillan. outlining
certain statements which Khrushchev had made to him relating to
atomic weapons
is missiles.
These memoranda were considered in Executive Session of
the United States Intelligence Boar
have reached unanimous
conclusions. E quote below a summary of these conclusions, and
attach the full text of the agreed paper giving more detailed comments.
a. A careful scrutiny of Khrushchev's remarks
leads us to believe he was utilizing half-truths concerning
Soviet nuclear capabilities in support of his political
objectives. We note that the line taken by Khrushchev is
consistent with previous Soviet statements deprecating the
possibility of limited warfare using small tactical nuclear
wespeaetas. Khrushchev was probably trying to maintain
pressure on the 'West to further the Soviet line at Geneva,
i.e., that an elaborate control system to detect small
yield tests is unnecessary; to talk down the concept of
limited war, particularly with small nuclear weapons, and
to engender concern over the "nth" country problem.
MORI/CDF
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T . S . # 165202
Copy .9 of G Copies
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b, Kbr*sbche.vls statement that the Soviet Union is
d in megaton weapons than in kiloton
and that it did not believe in the concept
local wars with tactical nuclear weapons is only partially
ur estimates. The Soviets have demon-
strated a strong interest in megaton weapons for strategic
purposes,, but a wealth of intelligence also supports their
considerable interest in the development and-use of small
yield weapons for tactical. naval and air defense purposes.
C. Khrushchev's statement that the Soviets had more
than enough atomic weapons and that they were reducing
their investment in the production of fissionable material
is contrary to present estimates. Considerable evidence
.bee continued expansion of the Soviet fissionable
production for military purposes. While we be--
viets have enough nuclear weapons to launch a,
sizeable strategt c attack against the United States, its
Allies and its overseas bases, we do not believe that their
present stockpile is sufficient to satisfy all their require-
meats for tactical weapons and particularly for air defense.
d. Khrushchev's statement that they presently had a
aterrnediate range ballistic missiles from
mobile platforms at targets in turope, North Africa and
Asia and that they were pretty near the point of being able
to fire ICllMa also from mobile platforms is essentially in
agreement with the U. S. estimate on Soviet missile capa-
bilitlees. We caarasiider that the ICBM can be rail mobile.
but will require certain r ainimum fixed facilities at each
launching as ite.
e. Khruslhchev's indicated desire t
weapons or information for making them, from spreading
to additional countries including the Chinese is in accord
with our present estimates.
T.S. # 165202
Copy " of (o Copies
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 Approved For Release 2006/07/28: CIA-RDP80BO1676R004300020002-3
I should be glad to discuss with
yof
or atu+ l%rnent if you feel any
rtfon is required.
DCI
Encl. (All/copies filed in office of DD/I
Distribution:
Copy # 1 - The President
Copy #2 - DCI w/basic
Copy #3 - DDCI
Copy #4 DDI
Copy #5 - AD /SI
Copy #6 - ER
Rospectfully yours
Allen W.
T.S. #165202
Copy 3 of 6 Copies
Approved For Release 2006/07/28: CIA-RDP80BO1676R004300020002-3
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Letter +c; the e President
L
CIA CONTROL NO.
165202
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1 APR 55
USE PREApprovedli"oV Release 2006/07)~g :Ug P80BO1676.ROO4,300020002-3