Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XI, Arms Control and Disarmament

135. Letter From Secretary of Defense McNamara to Secretary of State Rusk¹

Washington, June 7, 1966.

Dear Dean:

I think the growing pressures for proliferation in India indicates that we should reconsider our position on the nonproliferation treaty. I suggest that we consider language in our draft treaty which would make clear that the United States and other nuclear powers would each maintain a veto over its weapons. I have enclosed proposed language to this effect.

May we discuss these proposals at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Bob ²

Enclosure³

NONPROLIFERATION TREATY

Present US Version—Article I

Each of the nuclear-weapon States party to this treaty undertakes:

1. Not to transfer nuclear weapons into the national control of any non-nuclear-weapon State, or into the control of any association of non-nuclear-weapon States.

2. Not to provide to any non-nuclear-weapon State or association of such States—

(a) assistance in the manufacture of nuclear weapons, in preparation for such manufacture, or in the testing of nuclear weapons; or

(b) encouragement or inducement to manufacture or otherwise acquire its own nuclear weapons.

3. Not to take any other action which would cause an increase in the total number of States and associations of States having control of nuclear weapons.

4. Not to take any of the actions prohibited in the preceding paragraphs of this Article directly, or indirectly through third States or associations of States, or through units of the armed forces or military personnel of any State, even if such units or personnel are under the command of a military alliance.

Proposed US Version—Article I

Each of the nuclear-weapon States party to this treaty undertakes not to transfer nuclear weapons into the control of another nuclear-weapon State, any non-nuclear-weapon State, or any association of States. Additionally, nuclear-weapon States will take no action, direct or indirect, which would increase the total number of States or associations of States having control of nuclear weapons. Assistance or encouragement to the research, production, or test programs of non-nuclear-weapon States, which could result in the development of a nuclear weapons capability, is prohibited.

1. Source: Johnson Library, Bator Papers, Non-Proliferation, August 3, 1965-July 29, 1966, Box 30. Secret. A June 10 cover memorandum from Spurgeon Keeny to Rostow states that Keeny thought Rostow should be aware of McNamara’s letter “suggesting that we reconsider our position on the Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
2. Printed from a copy that indicates McNamara signed the original.
3. Confidential.