199. Editorial Note

On December 30 at 9:05 a.m., Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Irwin telephone Under Secretary Herter regarding the record of action at the National Security Council meeting of December 23 (see footnote 4, Document 188). According to a memorandum of the telephone conversation:

"Irwin said some of the military contacted State's working level but can't seem to determine just what planning is going on. Irwin said however State wants to handle going ahead with the contingency plans, Defense will cooperate; that Defense would be happy to take the initiative or react to State's initiative, but would appreciate knowing our wishes." (Eisenhower Library, Herter Papers, Telephone Conversations)

Later that morning, at 10:27 a.m., Herter called Murphy and mentioned that "Defense is getting nervous about Cuba." Herter asked what Murphy thought about getting Irwin, the joint Chiefs of Staff, and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence Cabell together to "go over" the Cuban situation. Murphy replied that he thought this was a good idea and that he would arrange the meeting. (Ibid.) This is presumably the meeting described in Document 201.