August 10, 1950
NSC MEETING
ITEM 1. Port Security. Secretary Johnson reported that the Military Establishment was in substantial accord with NSC 78. The Joint Chiefs of Staff paper had been prepared in ignorance of the fact that the NSC paper was being written.
Secretary Johnson agreed to the elimination of Finland from the shipping going to special ports. He wished, however, to have certain countries added to that list, including East Austrian ships. Ambassador Harriman, however, pointed out that there probably were no such ships, since there was only one government in Austria, and he did not know whether that government had any ships. It was agreed, as I understood it, that if there were any Austrian ships, they should be put in the inspection category.
I raised the question as to whether certain further technical studies were desirable, but it was thought that they were not necessary.
As I understand the final outcome, the President is prepared to approve NSC 78. Mr. Peyton Ford is to make certain technical suggestions to Mr. Lay.
Item 2. This item of the agenda was passed for further work by the consultants. I spoke to Secretary Johnson about the Defense Consultants being informed of the Defense Department's views, and he said that this would be done.
Secretary Snyder is to make a study to see whether any commitments in the Bretton Woods Agreements or in the British Loan Agreement will interfere with the Military Assistance program and will report through the NSC.
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