Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969–1972

73. Memorandum From the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)¹ ²

Washington, March 12, 1969

Dear Henry:

Since Seabeds is the only ENDC item that appears to be negotiable, I hope I can obtain authority to make a specific proposal for the negotiation of an agreement banning the emplacement of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction on the seabed. I believe this is far preferable to the mere examination of “vital factors” without being able to state clearly the type of agreement we have in mind.

Sincerely,

Gerard Smith

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 319, Subject Files, Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Conference (ENDC). Secret. The memorandum was forwarded to Kissinger by NSC staff member Keeny under cover of a March 14 memorandum. (Ibid.)
2. In this memorandum, Smith noted that the only “negotiable” issue concerned the seabed arms control agreement. He then asked for the authority to make a specific proposal at the ENDC.