Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969–1972

15. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Rogers¹ ²

Washington, March 21, 1969

SUBJECT:

• Ratification of the Nonproliferation Treaty

The President has asked that you explore the feasibility of our synchronizing the completion of the ratification/deposit procedures of the Nonproliferation Treaty with the Soviet Union. If simultaneous completion is not feasible, the President would like you to explore the possibility of completing the U.S. ratification process after the Soviets have done so.

The rationale for simultaneous action would be:

a. The symbolic significance of joint U.S.-Soviet ratification for world opinion and, especially, the hold-outs.

b. Prevention of possible Soviet reservations to the Treaty after the U.S. has completed its ratification action.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 366, Subject Files, Non-Proliferation Treaty (through March 1969). Secret; Nodis. In a March 28 memorandum to Kissinger, Acting Executive Secretary John Walsh indicated that Rogers would meet shortly with Soviet Ambassador to the United States Dobrynin to propose simultaneous deposit. (Ibid.) For a record of that meeting see Document 17.
2. In this memorandum, Kissinger told Rogers that President Nixon wanted Rogers to explore the feasibility of synchronizing the completion of ratification and the deposit of procedures for the NPT with the Soviet Union.