Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969–1972

87. Response to National Security Study Memorandum 164¹

Washington, December 18, 1972.

NSSM–164: US RELATIONS WITH EUROPE

I. Introduction

Europe, with its enormous human and economic resources, is of vital interest to the US. The US and Europe are inextricably linked through myriad ties that continue to multiply. Thus, the central US objective toward Europe continues to be the development of a stable security system providing a framework for political evolution and for a more equitable economic order.

Part I of this paper examines broad US policy goals against the background of US-Western European relations in transition, discusses the inter-relationships among the major aspects of our policies, and presents alternative approaches to the ordering of US priorities.

Part II summarizes specific issues and goals that should be addressed in the economic, political, security, military, scientific, and technological fields.

[Omitted here is the body of the paper.]

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–194, National Security Study Memoranda, NSSM 164. Secret. Prepared in the Department of State. The response paper is over 50 pages long. NSSM 164 is Document 84.