Memorandum for the Record Authored by Andrew J. Goodpaster

July 10, 1956 MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD: I reported to the President my discussions with Mr. Dulles and Mr. Bissell subsequent to the President's phone call to me, and the con- clusion I had reached that his desire would be to go ahead with opera- tions until the first report of tracking was actually received -- not to wait after each operation to see whether any report came in. He confirmed that this would represent his desire in the matter. I also reported on two recent events, including the anomalies in the tracks indicated in reporting in the area. On the basis of the discussion which ensued, I advised Mr. Dulles on my return to Washington of the President's reserve on the operation -- that he seemed to adhere to a preference for other areas, that the ten- day span of current activities is very much in his mind, and that he seems very close to a decision not to continue. I mentioned his com- ment on our reaction "if they were to do this to us, " and his indica- tion that the basis for concern on our part of surprise action is much less than when he approved the activity. All of this, I indicated, would tend to lend emphasis to the development of alternative areas on which to base operations. I subsequently reviewed the foregoing with Mr. Bissell, and also ad- vised him that the interpretation on the President's instructions had been confirmed. to a A. J. Goodpaster Colonel, CE, U S Army DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.6(b) MR 94-348-2 UNCLASSIFIED BY His DATE 11/8/95