326. National Security Study Memorandum 132 (Revised)1 2
TO:
- The Secretary of State
- The Secretary of Defense
- The Director, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
SUBJECT:
- Soviet Proposal for Five-Power Nuclear Conference
The President wishes that a preliminary analysis be made of the issues involved in a conference or preparatory meeting of the five nuclear powers as proposed in the Soviet Union’s statement of June 15. As part of this analysis there should be some indication of those measures that could realistically be discussed with the other powers, in light of what is known of their positions. This study should include alternative ways to deal with the Soviet proposal and be submitted to the Verification Panel by July 16. The study should be prepared by an Ad Hoc Group comprising representatives of the addressees of this memorandum and the Director, Central Intelligence, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and the NSC staff chaired by the representative of the Secretary of State.
Until a more definitive U.S. position has been worked out, the following points will be used in diplomatic contacts and press statements:
— The United States considers the subject raised by the USSR as worthy of serious consideration.
— Such a conference would require careful preparation and a consensus on what measures were feasible for discussion.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs (104–206). Secret. A copy was sent to Helms and Moorer.↩
- The President directed that a preliminary analysis be made of the issues involved in a five-power conference as proposed by the Soviets and provided guidelines regarding the U.S. position on the conference to be used in diplomatic contacts and press statements.↩