Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense - Subject: Temporary Reinforcement as a Berlin Deterrent (S)

OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE STATES:OF ) WASHINGTON 25, D.C. 1961 MAY 26 15 28 P18 Refer to I-14453/61 MAY 26 1961 INTERNATIONAL SECTROF DEFENSE B Gilpatria m MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE SUBJECT: Temporary Reinforcement as a Berlin Deterrent (s) ma 4 Gelfatric - At your 24 May meeting with Mr. Acheson, you suggested several military movements as suitable and timely steps toward forestalling Important a Berlin crisis. Ambassador Thompson's reports of his conversation with Khrushchev (Tab A) make the need for such measures even more that you pointed. read these A directive to study but not prepare such movements is attached. carefully Its execution would have important foreign policy and budgetary impli- cations, among others. Because of the danger of possible leakage, data B however, the study has not been discussed beyond the Joint Staff, ISA, and Mr. Acheson. In my judgment, these or similar measures would help materially to deter the USSR from provoking a Berlin crisis. Unless Khrushchev takes an unexpected conciliatory approach at the Vienna talks, I shall recommend that measures such as these be carried out. Recommend you sign the attached directive to JCS and other inter- ested OSD staff elements. 2 Attachments Paul H. hitze 1. Amb Thompson's reports (Cables 2887, 2888, 2889, dated 24May61) (Tab A) 2. Memo directive to JCS and OSD staff elements cc: Mr. Gilpatric DOWNGRADED AT 12 YEAR 55/131 SECRET INTERVALS: NOT AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED. DOD DIR 5200.10 SD-846 cant. Nom