Office of the Historian

163. National Security Decision Memorandum 961

Washington, December 14, 1970.
  • TO
    • The Secretary of Defense
  • SUBJECT
    • Nuclear Weapons Safety Rules

Under the provisions of NSAM–272 of November 13, 1963,2 the Defense Department has been forwarding to the President information on all approved changes in nuclear weapons safety rules. In general these changes have been routinely noted. Such a system serves the prime objective of insuring that this important area receives the attention it deserves. There are, however, several problems:

  • —The changes described are usually highly technical and difficult to evaluate without a precise knowledge of the characteristics of the weapons involved.
  • —At this point the President does not have a clear idea of what the overall system for nuclear weapons safety is and how the approved changes relate to it.

In order to deal with these problems, the President has directed that:

  • —NSAM–272 be revoked.
  • —An annual report be forwarded to him at the beginning of each calendar year describing the nuclear weapons safety rules in effect for all weapons systems and noting changes in those rules during the past year.
  • —He be informed promptly of the rules approved for new weapons systems and of any significant changes with regard to existing systems.

The President requests that a proposed format for the annual report be forwarded to him for his review by January 15, 1971.

Henry A. Kissinger
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 363, Subject Files, NSDMs, Nos. 51–96. Secret. Kissinger sent a memorandum to Nixon on December 8 recommending that he approve the attached NSDM. The President initialed his approval. (Ibid., NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–221, NSDM 96)↩
  2. NSAM 272, issued on November 13, 1963, by President John F. Kennedy, established certain safety rules for nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons systems. It also directed the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the AEC to inform the President about general safety rules for those weapons and systems then in effect. (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda, National Security Action Memoranda, NSAM 272)↩