Memorandum, Opening Statement at the First Meeting of the National Security Council

CONFIDENTIAL BRIEF OPENING STATEMENT AT FIRST MEETING OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL The importance of the work of this Council to our national secur- ity is, I am sure, clear to all of you who are to participate in it. I de- sire, however, at this first meeting, to discuss the concept and duties of the Council in an effort to set the pattern for its future activities. In addition, certain matters which the National Security Act of 1947 left to the discretion of the President or the Council should be discussed and, if possible, settled at this time. First of all, the Act establishes this Council purely as an advis- ory body, with no policy-making or supervisory functions except in its direc- tion of the Central Intelligence Agency. It is my desire that, for the time being at least, this concept be rigidly followed. Specifically, the agenda of the Council should contain only those matters requiring my consideration. The Council should not, at present, be used as an instrumentality for reach- ing interdepartmental decisions or supervising interdepartmental agencies. The Council, through its Executive Secretary, however, must maintain liaison with other executive departments and agencies in order to anticipate and keep informed as to matters requiring its consideration. The duties specifically assigned to the Council by the Act are, in my opinion, of urgent and paramount importance to the national security. Their performance will be an extremely difficult and involved task. I TRUMAN S. "NATIONAL DECLASSIFIED ARCHIVES AND RECORDS E.O. 12065, Seç. 3-402 SERVICE* N.S.C. 6s Stato Gundoline, June 12, 1979 PROSECT NLT 79-19 By NLT HC NARS, Date 6-11-60 CONFIDENTIA