◆ SpookStack

88. VicCone, Memorandum for the File, “Notes on Leadership Meeting on October 24th, 1962, at 5:00 p.m.,” 25 October i962 ry Oetober 25, 1962 MEMCRANDUM FOR THE FILE SUBJECT: Notes on Leadership Maeting on October 24th, 1962, at 5:00 p.m. - Attended by: Congressional Lasdership (except Senator Hayden}, the President, Rusk, McNamara, 24cCone and Robert Lovett, McCone gave a brief intelligence summary, copy attached. Secratary Rusk reported on the United Nations, stated there is no confirmed Soviet reaction or statement of intentions but dis- cussed exchange with Bertrand Russell aud dismissed this as un- official. The President categorically stated on several cccasions through the meeting there was no formal or informal direct approach for a Kennedy/Khrushchev msecting and no negotiations toward that end. McNamara reported on military operations, stated that as of this hour there had been "no interceptions of Soviet ships; none were necessary.'"' McNamara very carefully avoided any statements that ships had turned around. {Notas McNamara's statements were not consistent with reports that an intercept had been attempted at 10:35 a.m. with the KIMOVSK, and that the ship had turned around when confronted by a Navy vessel), Mansfield spoke of the importance of confidential nature of the meeting, referring to Roland Evans’ article in the Herald Tribune which summarized in accurate detail views of all who attended the prior meeting. It was the consensus that the discussions at leader- ship meatings must be kept most confidential. Russell complimented Secretary Rusk on the unanimous OAS action and his unusually complimentary remarks were strongly supported by Dirksen, Hickenlooper and Mansfield. Rusk then reported that Secratary Gensral U Thant would issue a statement calling for a two-wesk moratorium. Thers was no conclusion as to the United States answer. h] ~~ ss 5 Pee) 22 HRS? are 297