Office of the Historian

261. Letter From Secretary of State Rogers to Secretary of Defense Laird1 2

Washington, July 19, 1972

Dear Mel:

Your thoughtful letter of July 12 dealing with US programs and policies regarding chemical weapons contains useful ideas, which are most timely. I agree with your conclusion that it is very much in our interest to take an early initiative in the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva to meet legitimate demands for concrete steps on chemical arms control consistent with US and Allied security.

Your suggestion that we develop a draft treaty focusing on prohibiting the production and transfer of lethal chemicals for weapons purposes is particularly constructive. I agree that ACDA should take the lead in drafting a specific proposal of this sort, working closely with our staffs, for the President’s consideration.

We shall want to be particularly sensitive to the need for full Allied consultation during the development of our views. This is very much in our interest, I am sure you agree, not only in general terms, but it also should put us in a stronger position to avoid harmful proposals and to achieve broader international acceptance for our approach.

We look forward to a close working relationship with ACDA and the Department of Defense on this subject.

With best personal regards,

Sincerely,

William P. Rogers
  1. Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–75–155, 384. Top Secret.↩
  2. Rogers responded positively to Laird’s proposal to pursue a chemical weapons arms control agreement prohibiting production and transfer.↩