45. Editorial Note
On January 12, 1959, President Eisenhower discussed with Killian and Kistiakowsky the problem of inspection against surprise attack and Soviet missile capability. The meeting closed with the following exchange:
“Dr. Killian next referred to some of Dr. Kistiakowsky’s impressions and observations about the Soviet missile capability, since these impressions ran counter to our best intelligence estimates. Dr. Kistiakowsky said he was very much impressed with the importance that the Soviets attach to long-range ballistic missiles. These are in fact a focal point in their whole defense concept. They referred to it as a special area not subject to discussion at the Geneva meeting. He said it is his opinion that they now have an operational long-range missile force. The President said he could accept this possibility, but still holds a question as to the numbers and accuracy of such weapons. He then asked the question, if the Soviets should fire these weapons at us, where this action would leave them. They would still be exposed to destruction. In his mind there is the question whether this is a feasible means of making war; he granted that it is a feasible way of destroying much of the nation’s [Page 173] strength, but the resulting retaliation would be such that it does not make sense for war. He said he thought it would be at least a few years before the Soviets could conceivably have enough missiles so as not to have grounds to fear retaliation.” (Memorandum of meeting by Goodpaster, January 14; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries) The full text is in the Supplement.