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    "localId": "6036658",
    "label": "Memorandum of Conversation [MemCon] Secretary Robert McNamara and Foreign Minister Gerhard Schroeder",
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    "contentType": "document",
    "title": "Memorandum of Conversation [MemCon] Secretary Robert McNamara and Foreign Minister Gerhard Schroeder",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6036658",
    "collections": [
        "Robert S. McNamara Papers",
        "Records Relating to the Defense Program and Operations"
    ],
    "subjects": [
        "Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany, 1961-1989"
    ],
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    "productionDates": [
        {
            "day": 16,
            "logicalDate": "1961-10-16",
            "month": 10,
            "year": 1961
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    "url": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/58/366/6036658/content/arcmedia/research/1961-berlin-crisis/932006-1-1-63B/932006-1-1-63B-001.jpg",
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    "ocrText": "OCOPY\nSECRET\nMeeting, Tuesday, October 16th\nPresent:\nSecretary McNamara\nGerhard Schroeder, Foreign Minister\nDASD Rowen\nHenrich Knappstein, Ambassador\nWilliem Tyler, State\nAlbert Reinkemeyer, Chief Soviet Affairs\nSection, Foreign Office\nMajGen Steinhoff, German Representative\nMilitary Committee\nHerman Kusterer, Interpreter\nMinister Schroeder began by asking Mr. McNemara's impressions on his recent\nvisit to Germany.\nSecretary McNamara said the trip was very brief. He went to lower units to check\non alertness, training, logistics, and their ability to use conventional or\nnuclear weapons. He had found state of readiness of U.S. and FRG units\nexcellent. However, he felt that they seemed far too dependent on nuclears.\nThere is a need for greater emphasis on non-nuclear conflict without depreci-\nating nuclears. The focus on nuclear weapons stems from focus on massive\nSoviet aggression. If such an attack occurred, we must use them early and\nmassively. But it is a weakness in our planning to focus on this case. We\nshould give attention to other contingencies. Lower echelons are of course not\nresponsible. They get this attitude from their seniors.\nThe security procedures at FRG wing were impressive. Both U.S. and FRG\nunits are at a high state of effectiveness.\nMinister Schroeder expressed pleasure at the impression of high alertness.\nOn the basic attitude toward nuclears, if Khrushchev sees this, he would get\nimpression that these people are ready for a nuclear war and this would make\nhim more cautious than he otherwise might be. Certainly sufficient con-\nventional preparations are required. Minister Schroeder then said that the\nmain purpose of his visit was to determine that all Berlin contingencies\nhave been anticipated.\nWould like to discuss a possibility that has been discussed with Mr.\nRusk.\nAssume, for example, that on 1 November a visa required for civilian\ntravel to Berlin. People must apply for visas. These might be issued at\ncheck points. What should be done?\na. Simply accept visas and do nothing. Worst thing to do. He rejects\nthis choice.\nb. Don't accept visas. Regard this as blockage of civilian traffic.\nImplement contingency plans, which relate civilian to military traffic.\nSECRET"
}