105. Memorandum of Discussion1

MEMORANDUM OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN PRESIDENT KENNEDY AND GENERAL EISENHOWER AND McCONE AT McCONE’S RESIDENCE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, FROM 9:00 UNTIL 10:10 A.M.

[Here follow six paragraphs of discussion concerning the situation in Cuba and Western Europe, particularly Berlin. Portions dealing with the Cuban situation are printed in Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, volume XI, Document 189. A paragraph concerning Western Europe and Berlin is not printed.]

The meeting then turned to discussion of organization and Eisenhower reviewed at some length his concept of how the NSC must be supported by a Planning Board who are studying and reporting on the situation in each critical country or critical area and in addition the principals must meet frequently to discuss special acute situations. He recalled how [Page 209] studies were made by the Planning Board on all areas, that these served as broad guidelines for policy makers. In addition he recalled how he would meet with his principals on particularly acute situations such as Lebanon, Guatemala, Quemoy, Matsu, etc., and that these meetings would be held frequently, in some instances as often as once a day for several days, and that policies would develop from such meetings. The President seemed to concur that he should have more staff support; he expressed great pleasure at the functioning of the Executive Committee and the desire to have the Executive Committee established as a permanent organization, to meet once a week, to review special situations and to hear intelligence reports. There seemed to be no disagreement between the two men concerning the need for different type of organization than now exists. Eisenhower readily volunteered that any plan of organization must be tailored and must meet the particular desires of the man in charge and that a pattern acceptable to him may not necessarily meet President Kennedy’s needs.

The meeting was cordial and constructive. Both President Kennedy and General Eisenhower expressed their appreciation to me and their desire to continue communication one with the other in about the same form and in the manner of this meeting.

John A. McCone2

[Here follows an added paragraph on Cuba, dated November 19, 1962.]

  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Meetings with the President, 7/l/62–12/31/62. Secret; Eyes Only. Prepared by McCone.
  2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.