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  4. Document 40

40. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2

Washington, November 19, 1969

SUBJECT:

  • Soviet Ratification of NPT—Tab A

The Soviets have indicated that they plan to ratify the NPT on November 24. They apparently do not envisage a signing ceremony. You will recall that the Secretary of State on several occasions told Dobrynin (and also Gromyko at the UN) that we would like to have a joint signing ceremony with wide media coverage.

Since the Soviets appear not to be interested in such a ceremony, I believe it would be inappropriate and undesirable for us to insist on it. If you agree, this probably should be conveyed to the Secretary of State as soon as possible so that he does not pursue the idea of a ceremony when Dobrynin calls on him today to announce Soviet intention to complete ratification.

[Page 2]

Tab A
Telegram 6431 From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State

Moscow, November 19, 1969, 1330Z.

Subect:

  • Soviet Ratification of NPT
1.
Deputy Chief MFA American Section (Zinchuk) called in DCM November 19 to tell us “for information” that Dobrynin had been instructed (a) to inform Secretary Supreme Soviet Premier plans to ratify Non-Proliferation Treaty November 24 and (b) to propose that US and USSR make simultaneous press release same day at 1100 Washington time and 900 Moscow time. In response query, Zinchuk said under Soviet procedure Presidium action would be final step and no signing ceremony would be involved.
2.
Zinchuk requested Embassy inform MFA once we have learned USG reaction.
3.
Dept. inform Helsinki.
Beam
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 366, Subject Files, Non-Proliferation Treaty, Vol. I, April 69–March 70. Confidential. Sent “urgent” for information/action. A notation at the top of the page indicated Kissinger saw it and that action had been completed.↩
  2. Sonnenfeldt notified Kissinger that the Soviets had indicated they planned to ratify the NPT on November 24. Given the perceived lack of Soviet interest in a signing ceremony, Sonnenfeldt recommended against a U.S. signing ceremony.↩