Memorandum of Conversations at the National Security Council Meeting

Secretary's copy For ZONE COPY NO. 5 of 5 copies. 33 258 September 7, 1950 NSC MEETING 1. Action at the NSC on the Korean paner. The paper has been approved, subjed to the senior staff members from State and Defense getting together, principally on Paragraphs 15 and 17. General Bradley's comments seemed to be that the paper contemplated a stabilization at the 38th Parallel, whereas, if General MaçArthur could destroy the North Korean forces, then President Rhee might proclain an elec- tion and police the whole country north of the 38th Paral- lel with Korean forces. He had not had time to study the paper closely but felt that it would preclude this. I said that it had no such effect, and that Para- graph 15 should be rewritten to make it clear that if there was to be an actual invasion north of the 38th Parallel with fighting forces - American, etc., - that decision had to be made in Washington. I also explained the trouble with Paragraph 17. The President, Secretary Johnson and General Bradley agreed and thought there would be no problem about the paper. I am attaching General Bradley's memorandum to the Secretary of Defense, copy of which he gave me. 2. The answer to the eight questions. The Cabinet meeting tomorrow has been called off. Secretary Johnson and I will try to agree on the paper then. In the meantime, the State and Defense consultants should narrow the issues down as much as possible. Secretary Johnson told me that on one amendment he would agree with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the State point of view against the contentions of the Muni- tions Board. I am not clear what this means. DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and S(D) or (E) MCC 2-6-78 letter ROJECT NLY 76-18 SECIEL By NLT HC NARS Date 3-16-78