Memorandum of Conference with the President Authored by John S. D. Eisenhower

TOR December 22, 1958 MEMORANDUM OF CONFERENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT December 16, 1958 -- 9:00 AM Others present: General Hull Admiral Conolly Dr. Darden General Doolittle Mr. Lovett General Cassidy By D. Mary Dr. Killian Mr. Gordon Gray General Goodpaster Major Eisenhower At a meeting with the Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities, the President questioned continuation of the overflight reconnaissance program. He pointed out that he, along with this Board, had been highly enthusiastic about the development of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. He further pointed out that its suc- cessor will be of even higher performance. He expressed a con- cern that the U-2 has been tracked on almost every mission flown west of the Urals. The question which he is facing is whether the intelligence which we receive from this source is worth the exacer- bation of international tension which results. In the President's view, we have located adequate targets. In his own mind, the detection of the surprise attack is the important thing. The U-2 does not solve the problem of detection of surprise attack. Realiz- ing that the Air Force should be provided with a certain number of the best reconnaissance aircraft, the President thought there should be a reevaluation of the U-2 program as such. From these discus - sions, there were indications from members of the Board that their first reaction is that they feel the intelligence is highly worthwhile. John S. SD D. Eisenhomer John Eisenhower DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.6(b) MR93-124+4 BY BBM DATE 8/17/99