NOTES ON NSC MEETING, 28 JANUARY 1954

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200110006-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 20, 2000
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 28, 1954
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2000/08/30 CIA-RPP$0R01443R00
T t" ~L6I
28 January 195+
MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: Notes on NSC Meeting, 28 January 1954
1. Discussion of Dispersal -- presented by Mr. Flemming.
Ultimate upshot: to study dispersal problem of one agency --
Defense first -- in all its aspects, including establishment of nuclei
of take-over groups outside Washington area, i.e., beyond 20 miles from
District. Successive stages in working out test case planning to be
presented for 10 minutes at NSC meetings from now on as often as necessary.
President asked for list of essential services to be dispersed. Recommenda-
tion made that Budget and agencies get together for funds for carrying on
dispersal program.
Sidelights: President much concerned over succession regula-
tion -- feels Truman's changes were political gesture -- essential that
succession should be kept within the Cabinet-NSC group who have been long
associated in policy planning -- dislikes idea of succession to Speaker
of House and President pro-tem of Senate before it comes back to Secretary
of State. Asked Nixon to dig up the law. Returned several times to this
point.
- President suggested use of helicopters stationed on roofs of
key government buildings and kept in shape at all times for evacuation
of top government officials in event roads out of Washington are blocked
as they most likely would be.
CD
N
CD
- Diametrical opposition between Sec/Def and Peterson on extent
of threat -- particularly from guided missiles -- in next 5-10 years.
- Decision nearly taken to stop any further government building
in target areas. DCI interposed human problem of getting personnel to
move to remote areas to work in government agencies to be housed outside
of target areas.
2. Brief discussion of port security; necessity to maintain alert
security guard on important munitions shipments.
3. Discussion of Peterson's plan for air-raid exercise to involve
Civil Defense officials in U.S., Territories, and Canada. Had come to
NSC for approval in light of possibility that such an exercise, 6-9 months
from now, might lead to public fear that attack was imminent or might
provide Soviets with propaganda springboard. Decided to go ahead with
plan for exercise but with urgings that publicity be handled carefully to
avoid panicking the people. Reference made to future drills to involve
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evacuation of some citicies for 48 hours, full medical, rescue and food
drills, etc. President declared Civil Defense useless unless paper
planning were put to practical tests yearly.
14-. DCI's Briefing:
- Burma -- Described map... Communist plans to intensify
guerrilla warfare -- other insurgencies -- reference to rice crisis from
oversupply as new bumper crop is added to '53 carry-over situation
resulting from overpricing by Burmese government. Discussion of prices
and need to cut 40%. Stassen referred to FOA help in getting some pur-
chase contracts from India and Japan for some of new crop. DCI covered
importance of rice revenue as underpinning social welfare plans --
unrest likely soon.
- Malaya -- Reference to Eden's expression of concern over
deterioration of situation; our initial surprise at this; recent reports
referring to captured plans of terrorists to increase violence -- shift
also to subtle infiltration.
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- Indochina -- Little new to report. Viet Minh cutting Seno-25X1X7
Quang-Tri road -- French landing at Tuy Hoa in strength. Viet Minh had
had several days' forewarning and had withdrawn. Viet Minh seem able
to get knowledge of French plans -- delayed opening of Viet Minh attack
on Dien Bien Phu -- 30 Viet Minh Battalions to 15 French. Reference to
improved food build-up there as part of general supply build-up of 200
- ChiNat Offshore Islands -- Descr`.ibed map showing strengths
and locations of both ChiNats and ChiComs. ChiNat regulars 2/3 of the
total on the offshore islands. No sign that ChiCom.s making preparations
to attack Chinmen or the other islands, but they could do so without
much prior warning.
No briefing on Spanish Morocco situation.
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