Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XV, Soviet Union, June 1972–August 1974

11. National Security Decision Memorandum 179¹

Washington, July 18, 1972.

TO

• The Secretary of State
• The Secretary of Commerce
• The Secretary of Agriculture

SUBJECT

• CCC Regulations Affecting US-Soviet Grain Sale and Maritime Agreement

The President has reviewed the joint State/Commerce/Agriculture memorandum of July 7² on this issue, and he has decided as follows.

During forthcoming negotiations with the Soviet Union, the United States should make a determined effort to obtain Soviet agreement to shipping arrangements consistent with National Security Action Memorandum 220³ of February 5, 1963. If, however, in the course of the maritime negotiations the Soviets raise continuing objections on this issue blocking otherwise successful conclusion of the maritime negotiations, the Chairman of the US Delegation is authorized to make a one-time exception to the provisions of NSAM 220 solely for the purposes of the grain sale agreement and shipments in Soviet ships relating thereto. In the event it becomes necessary to make this policy exception, the Department of State should carefully present this decision to OAS member states before the matter becomes public knowledge.

The President, at the same time, directs a thorough review of the applicability of NSAM 220 and NSAM 340⁴ to Commodity Credit Corporation export sales. This study should include a detailed review of the foreign policy, national security, economic and statutory implications in any interpretation or revision that would make NSAMs 220 and 340 inapplicable to CCC programs.

This study should be prepared by an Ad Hoc NSC Group comprising representatives of the recipients of this memorandum, other interested agencies and representatives of the NSC and CIEP staffs chaired by the representative of the Secretary of State. The study should be forwarded to the Chairman, NSC Senior Review Group by August 30, 1972.

Henry A. Kissinger

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–235, NSDM 179. Secret; Exdis. Copies were sent to the Secretary of Defense, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Attorney General, and the Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs.
2. See Document 9.
3. See footnote 2, Document 9.
4. See footnote 3, Document 9.