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85. McCone, Memorandum for the File, “Executive Committee Meeting on 23 October 1962, 6:00 p.m.” be ——_—~-- 23 October 1962 MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILE 6:00 p.m. All members present plus Counsel for Defense Department 1. Committee reviewed the blockade proclamation and approved it. It was signed by the Fresident at 6:00 p.m. 2. The President instructed McNamara to review all details of instructions to the Flect Commanders regarding procedures to be followed in the blockade. There was an extended discussion of actions to be taken under various assumed Soviet reaistance activities such as (2) failing to stop, (b) refusing right to board, (c} ships turning around, heading in another direction, etc. | | | SUBJECT: Executive Committee Meeting on 23 October 1962 } 3. Discuebion of the effect on U.S. industry by chartering and preampting the use of 20 or 30 American ships. Gilpatric reported that this would have little or no effact on the American economy. McCone questioned these findings; however Gilpatric said that this had been thoroughly studied and McCone's concerns as expressed at the morning meeting were unfounded. The Attorney General stated that it was within the law to use foreign bottoms, however decision was made to preempt U.S. bottoms and not worry about the consequences because they would not be serious. 4. The President urged that Norstad be retained at SHAPE during the period of crisis, perhaps until 1 February 63. He indicated Lemnitser might be used as CINCEUR with Norstad remaining as SACEUR. Bundy stated that this is complicated as the two posts are so co-mingled that they really must be held by ons man. Taylor raised question that if this was done it would hart Lemnitser's prestige. The President said that he felt that Norstad was so experienced and s0 capable and his judgment se sound, as evidenced by today's cable, copy cf which I have not seen, that he would take the risk of NATO country criticiams, he did not think that Lemnitser would be hurt, and he wished Norstad to remain. Defense to take under advisement and report within 24 hours. 4. In the prolonged discussion of report on Civil Defense problems, the President seemed particularly concerned over the situation if we should launch attacks which might reault in four or five missiles being delivered on the United States. DOD spokesmen stated that the area covered by the 1100 mile missiles involved 92 million people. They felt that fall-out space was available though teP-SEGaET 291