Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume III, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Microfiche Supplement

474. Terms of Reference for Disarmament Policy Review¹

June 23, 1959

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR DISARMAMENT POLICY REVIEW

An urgent study should be undertaken jointly by the Departments of State and Defense to review and make recommendations regarding United States disarmament policy.

The basic question to be considered is whether there are comprehensive or partial measures of arms control and reduction which would contribute to the achievement of our national security objectives.

In considering this question, existing detailed United States disarmament policy and positions should be reviewed. These positions were last systematically formulated in 1957 and only relatively minor modifications have been made since that time. The last proposals for comprehensive disarmament were advanced by the United States in 1955.

In reviewing existing policy and making recommendations, such questions as the following should be considered:

1. The extent to which specific measures of arms control and reduction might contribute to our national security objectives.

2. What comprehensive arms reduction arrangements might be in the interest of the United States and the possibilities (including the technical feasibility) of achieving such a comprehensive arrangement through single or multiphased agreements.

3. What limited or partial arms control or reduction measures (including regional measures) might be in the interest of the United States, the timing and technical feasibility of such measures, and their interrelationship with each other and with a comprehensive arrangement.

4. The technical and organizational aspects of enforcement. Full attention should be given to the need for technical and military studies which would be required to have an understanding of the problem of detection, monitoring and inspection essential to any arms limitation agreement.

5. The possible role of the United Nations and appropriate U.N. organs in enforcement of disarmament agreements (particularly agreements involving radical reduction of national military establishments).

The review will take into account estimated Soviet attitudes toward various measures of arms control and reduction.

Conclusions and recommendations should be submitted by April (?), 1960.

Negotiations are currently under way with regard to nuclear test suspension, and discussions of aspects of disarmament may be anticipated in the near future in a possible Summit meeting or in competent organs of the United Nations. The results of any such negotiations and discussions should, of course, be taken into consideration during the study. The head of the study will not be expected to advise on day-to-day problems concerning international discussions which may be in process. However, his advice may be requested from time to time as matters of interest to the study arise. Priority attention should be given, within the framework of the general study, to consideration of various types of international agreements consistent with United States security interests which might reduce the danger of surprise attack, or unintentional war.

The head of the study shall be directly responsible to the Secretary of State. Government personnel and consultants selected to work on the study will be assigned to the head of the study and will be responsible to him. Organizations under contract to work on the study will also take guidance from and report their findings to the head of the study. The head of the study, in consultation with the appropriate departments and agencies, shall select the staff. He may also obtain the services of civilian consultants, and organizations such, as RAND and ORO, as he deems appropriate. The full support and assistance of appropriate departments and agencies will be provided including the assignments of qualified personnel, and all necessary data including both military and technical pertinent to the study will be made available.

1. Source: Terms of reference for disarmament policy review. Secret. 2 pp. Eisenhower Library, White House Office Files, Records of the Office of the Staff Secretary, Disarmament.