196 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1950, VOLUME 1
Policy Planning Staff Files

Record of the Meeting of the State-Defense Policy I Review Group,
| Department of State, » Thursday, March 16, 1950, 3 P. m. 106: 46 p.m.

/ ee [tracts]
TOP SECRET |
Present: " Department of State.
Paul H. Nitze
_ R. Gordon Arneson -
George Butler ©
Carlton Savage
Robert Tufts |
Harry H. Schwartz ©
Department of Defense.
- Major General James H. Burns ©
~ Major General T. H. Landon
- Robert LeBaron
_ Najeeb Halaby

eS National Security Council
- ad ames Lay :
| - §. Everett Gleason *
Re Consultant: |
| ‘Robert A. Lovett a

Mr. Lovett spent the morning studying the group’ Ig working drafts
as of this date® and, as suggested by Mr. Nitze, his first comments
were specific, chapter by chapter, followed by general observations
and. suggestions. The minutes are divided into three parts covering

_JT..The general- observations and suggestions as to the paper’s con-
clusions and recommendations —_ et
II. The chapter by chapter suggestions -
III. Suggestions not covered in either of the two ) foregoing.
categories. | :

I. General Observations and Suggestions

_a. Mr. Lovett’s overall. comment was, that the paper is ; very good
and its logic sound, and that it contains some portions which are excel-.
lent material for speeches. He agreed with the general, conclusion that:
we must build up our strength, and he said that this requires, in the
first instance, giving the facts to the he publi, |

 

1 1 Deputy. Executive Secretary of ‘the National Security Connetl. —

‘* Banker: Under Secretary of State, July 1947—January 1949; appointed: Deputy :
Secretary of Defense, September 1950. Earlier, he served.as Assistant Secretary
of War for Air, April 1941—-November 1945.

* For the text of the report in its final form, see NSC 68, April 7, p. 235.