103. Letter From Secretary of Defense McNamara to the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Foster)1
Dear Bill:
The Chiefs have reported to me their objection to a statement you made a few weeks ago that the Canal Zone will be included in any nuclear free zone. I understand that this statement, reported in USUN cable 1926 to State,2 was based on an ACDA policy paper which was approved by State but which was not reviewed by the DoD.3 While I realize that current negotiations with the Panamanians may result in significant changes in the status of the Canal Zone, such policy has yet to be approved and in any case such negotiations have not been completed. [Page 268] Therefore, I would urge you not to make any further statements that the Canal Zone will be included. It seems to me that if we are asked our position on this matter, it would be appropriate to reply that pending the outcome of the current negotiations between the Panamian Government and the United States, it does not appear appropriate for the U.S. to take a position on this matter.
The Chiefs also object to your statements concerning the inclusion of Guantanamo in a nuclear free zone if Cuba were also included. As long as the Latin Americans continue to assure our air and sea transit rights, I do not believe such a commitment, however unlikely, would affect our security. Furthermore, I understand it is very unlikely that Cuba will join a nuclear free zone. Therefore, our position appears to be based primarily on political considerations. In order not to give Castro an excuse for failing to participate, I would be willing to support the inclusion of Guantanamo in a Latin American nuclear free zone if and only if Cuba is also a member of the zone.
Finally, the Chiefs have informed me that they consider it essential that they be consulted in the formulation of any inspection plan since such a plan might affect the current surveillance of the Cuban area. I agree with the Chiefs on this issue and trust that you will provide us an opportunity to review such a plan.
Sincerely,
- Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 383, ACDA/D Files: FRC 77 A 52, Memoranda to the Secretary of State, 1965. The source text is Tab B to a December 3 memorandum from Fisher to Secretary Rusk, which asks Rusk to get McNamara’s concurrence on a draft letter from Foster to the Latin Americans on a Latin American Nuclear Free Zone (Tab A). Fisher’s memorandum states that the attached draft letter “maintains the pressure for the inclusion of Cuba but, in accordance with the position paper you approved, leaves the way open for subsequent U.S. agreement even if Cuba is not included.” For text of the revised letter of December 10, see Document 105.↩
- Not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, DEF 18-9 LA)↩
- ACDA paper is not further identified.↩