Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1973–1976
61. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and Gromyko continued to discuss the Threshold Test Ban Treaty and environmental warfare.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 77, Country Files—Europe—USSR, Memcons, Moscow Summit, June 27–July 3, 1974. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the Tolstoi House at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All brackets and ellipses are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. Printed in full in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XV, Soviet Union, June 1972–August 1974, as Document 193.
62. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and Gromyko discussed the remaining issues related to the Threshold Test Ban Treaty, environmental warfare, and the Moscow Summit communiqué.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 77, Country Files—Europe—USSR, Memcons, Moscow Summit, June 27–July 3, 1974. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in St. Catherine’s Hall at the Grand Kremlin Palace. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. Tabs A–D are attached but not published. Printed in full in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XV, Soviet Union, June 1972–August 1974, as Document 195.
64. Telegram 8366 From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported the British response to the Threshold Test Ban Treaty.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740177–0771. Unclassified. Repeated for information to Bonn, Moscow, Paris, and the Mission to NATO.
65. Minutes of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Analytical Staff Meeting
Summary: Kissinger and his staff discussed the urgency of finding a means to prevent future nuclear explosions in India and the immediate neighboring region.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Lot 78D443, Box 4, 7/12/74. Secret. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified or that was omitted by the editors and “[any?]”, added for clarity. Attached but not published is a 2–page summary of the meeting, dated July 15, which Samuel Gammon (S/S) signed for Springsteen. There is no indication as to the drafter of the minutes. A draft of the paper under discussion, prepared in response to NSSM 202, is Document 57.
66. Telegram 10984 From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy summarized and analyzed the Soviet leaders’ behavior during the recently concluded Moscow summit.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740189–0753. Confidential; Exdis. In telegram 161363 to multiple European posts, July 25, the Department repeated the text of telegram 10984. (Ibid., D740201–0466)
67. Memorandum From Jan Lodal of the National Security Council Staff and the Counselor of the Department of State (Sonnenfeldt) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Lodal and Sonnenfeldt reviewed a Soviet proposal to begin negotiations in late September on nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes. They noted the timing and level of the negotiations, in addition to the relationship between the proposed negotiations and the Limited Test Ban Treaty and the Nonproliferation Treaty, adding that they would send Kissinger a proposed reply to the Soviets later that month.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 366, Subject Files, Peaceful Nuclear Explosions (PNE) (8/68–8/74). Secret; Completely Outside the System. A notation in an unknown hand reads: “Bud—FYI (Gen S./HAK have original).” Tab A, a Soviet paper entitled “Schedule for Negotiations on the Realization of the Agreements and Understandings Reached at the Soviet-American Summit Meeting,” which Vorontosov sent to Eagleburger under a July 25 cover note, is attached but not published. Tab B, a June 7 note from Dobrynin to Kissinger, is not attached.
68. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Summary: Kissinger summarized interagency views concerning restraints on environmental modification for warfare purposes. He noted that at the Moscow summit Nixon had agreed to begin discussions with the Soviets in order to “explore the problem and what steps might be taken to bring about effective restraints.” Kissinger recommended that Nixon approve a draft National Security Decision Memorandum instructing the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee to prepare a “scenario and approach” for discussions with the Soviets, to begin in October.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 23, Environmental Warfare (2) 1974. Secret. Sent for action. Nixon resigned the Presidency on August 9, and Ford became President. The NSDM as approved is Document 94. The May NSC Under Secretaries Committee report, prepared pursuant to Kissinger’s request, was not found, but is summarized in Document 74.
69. Telegram 171545 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts
Summary: The Department of State provided guidance to all posts regarding the recently signed Threshold Test Ban Treaty.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740215–0424. Limited Official Use. Drafted by P.S. Corden (ACDA/NWT/AT); cleared by Buchheim, David Brown (EA/J), S. Thompson (AEC), Charles Flowerree (PM/DCA), Huberman, John Marcum (INR), Miller, Sonnenfeldt, Jon Gibney (NEA/INS), Kahan, S/S, Scott George (EUR/CE), and in substance by T. George (OSD), C. Wilmot (JCS), and CIA; approved by Iklé. Telegram 8974 from New Delhi, July 6; telegram 9170 from Tokyo, July 11; and telegram 10705 from Bonn, July 5 are ibid., D740179–1140, D740185–0056, and D740179–0284. Martin’s July 16 statement to the CCD is printed in Documents on Disarmament, 1974, pp. 348–352.
70. Telegram 12630 From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that a Pravda commentary underscored the importance of a U.S.-Soviet agreement on a comprehensive test ban treaty, suggesting that the piece “may be intended mainly to serve notice on the new American President that a complete ban on underground testing is high on the list of Soviet arms control priorities.”
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740227–0331. Limited Official Use. Repeated information to the consulate in Leningrad, the Mission to NATO, the U.S. delegation to the SALT II talks in Geneva, the Mission in Geneva, and the Mission to the IAEA at Vienna. Brezhnev made the proposals for denuclearization of the Mediterranean and for an agreement on a complete ban on underground nuclear testing in a July 21 foreign policy address in Warsaw. (New York Times, July 22, 1975, p. 17)
71. Special National Intelligence Estimate 4–1–74
Summary: This estimate examined prospects for further proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OP 122, NIC Files, Job 79R01012A, Box 473, 9, SNIE 4–1–74, Final w/Dist List (TKC/RD Version), Folder 8, Top Secret; [codewords not declassified]. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Defense, the National Security Agency, and the Atomic Energy Commission participated in the preparation of this estimate. The Director of Central Intelligence issued the Estimate with the concurrence of all members of the USIB with the exception of the FBI, who abstained on the grounds that it was outside its jurisdiction. A supplementary memorandum to holders of SNIE 4–1–74 was issued on December 18. (Ibid., Box 485)
72. Action Memorandum From the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Iklé) and the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Iklé and Lord sent Kissinger a memorandum for the President on U.S. policy regarding nuclear proliferation and its relationship to multilateral efforts. They offered several recommendations regarding a conference of nuclear industrial states.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Policy Planning Council (S/PC), Policy Planning Staff (S/P) Director’s Files (Winston Lord) 1969–77: Lot 77D112, Box 349, AUG 1974. Secret. Drafted by Kalicki, Kahan, Van Doren, and Boright; concurred in by Sonnenfeldt, Buffum, Easum, Hyland, Goodby, Lowenstein, Lanigen, Bloomfield, Martens, and Sievering. Kahan initialed for the drafters and the concurrences. On September 7, Kissinger approved the first option of the second recommendation. Tab A, an undated draft memorandum to Ford, and Tab B, an undated paper entitled “Conference of Nuclear Industrial States,” are attached but not published. NSDM 255 is Document 53. The June 21 NSSM 202 draft report is Document 57. For the minutes of the July 12 Analytical Staff Meeting, see Document 65.
73. Memorandum From Michael Guhin of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Guhin summarized agency views concerning restraints on environmental warfare, stating that all agencies except the Joint Chiefs of Staff considered some restraints to be in the U.S. interest. Noting it was unlikely that interagency consensus on an option would emerge at the scheduled August 28 Senior Review Group meeting, Guhin commented that Kissinger would need to “confirm agency views and to reach agreement” that differences would be forwarded to President Ford for decision. Guhin also recommended that Kissinger send a draft National Security Decision Memorandum to Ford, which would require the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee to prepare an approach for upcoming discussions with Soviet officials and for dealing with the Soviet UN General Assembly proposal.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Meetings, Box 13, Senior Review Group Meeting, 8/28/74—Environmental Warfare (2). Secret. Sent for action. Sent through Elliott. All brackets are in the original. Attached but not published are talking points on environmental warfare for use at the SRG meeting; Tab 1, a draft memorandum from Kissinger to Ford that summarized agency positions on international restraints on environmental warfare; and Tab A, a draft NSDM, that reflected the decision that the U.S. approach to explanatory discussions with the Soviets would be consistent with the OSD/JCS position. The DOD summary of military aspects is Document 42. Guhin’s analytical summary, “Possible International Restraints on Environmental Warfare,” is Document 74. The talking points and agency views, which Guhin indicated were attached at marked tabs, were not found. The minutes of the August 28 SRG meeting are Document 75. The final version of draft memorandum attached at Tab 1 is Document 90. The final version of NSDM 277, as signed by Kissinger, is Document 94.
74. Paper Prepared by Michael Guhin of the National Security Council Staff
Summary: Guhin summarized the the May NSC Under Secretaries Committee report concerning possible restraints on environmental warfare, U.S. policy considerations, cooperative efforts with the Soviet Union, and advantages and disadvantages of military uses of weather modification. He also indicated his preferred option.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Meetings, Box 13, Senior Review Group Meeting, 8/28/74—Environmental Warfare (2). Secret. All brackets are in the original. Attached to Guhin’s August 27 memorandum to Kissinger, Document 73. NSDM 165, “International Aspects of Weather Modification,” May 2, 1972, is in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Institutional Files, National Security Decision Memoranda, Box H–208, NSDM 150–200 (Originals).
75. Minutes of a Senior Review Group Meeting
Summary: The Senior Review Group met to discuss and clarify multiple agency views concerning restraints on environmental modification. At the conclusion of the meeting, Kissinger asked for the preparation of a negotiating scenario based on two premises: the acceptance of prohibitions on any military use of environmental modification techniques having long-term, widespread, or severe effects, and the acceptance of prohibitions on all military use of such techniques for hostile purposes.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Meetings, Box 23, Meeting Minutes—Senior Review Group August 1974. Secret; Sensitive. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. No drafting information appears on the minutes.
76. Draft Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Staff
Summary: The NSC Staff provided an analytical summary of the report on U.S. chemical weapons posture prepared in response to NSSM 192.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Meetings, Box 14, Senior Review Group Meeting, 1/27/75—Chemical Weapons Policy (NSSM 192) (1). Top Secret. All brackets are in the original. NSSM 192 is Document 29. The NSSM 192 report that this paper summarizes is printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXV, National Security Policy, 1973–1976, as Document 39. NSDM 35, issued on November 25, 1969, is published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969–1972, as Document 165. Regarding the NSSM 157 report, see Document 2. For the Soviet draft proposal for the destruction of existing lethal chemical weapons stocks, see telegram 100009 from Geneva, April 28,1975. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750151–0278 and D750152–1013)
77. Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Elliott reviewed the current status of the Limited Test Ban Treaty and recommended that Kissinger approve a request for an interagency assessment of non-technical issues associated with amendment of the treaty.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 45, Nuclear Testing (1). Secret. Sent for urgent action. Elliot sent the memorandum to Scowcroft under a September 5 covering memorandum, noting: “Consideration of our position on the LTBT will be a background theme in the VP and NSC meetings on PNEs. It therefore seems highly desirable to get a quick fix on the problems, options, and pros and cons in this area as part of the preparation for these meetings and the Moscow talks.” Scowcroft added the following at the bottom of the covering memorandum: “Went out Saturday [September 7]. B.” Tab A, an undated draft memorandum to the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee, is attached but not published. Tab B, the analysis, is Document 78. The Interagency Study Group’s report is Document 82.
78. Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Staff
Summary: The paper analyzed several issues related to the Limited Test Ban Treaty and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of amending the LTBT.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 45, Nuclear Testing (1). Secret. Attached as Tab B to Document 77.
79. National Security Study Memorandum 209
Summary: President Ford directed an interagency group, consisting of representatives from the Department of Defense, Department of State, Office of Management and Budget, Central Intelligence Agency, Atomic Energy Commission, and the Council on International Economic Policy, to study the issues associated with a “shift to private ownership of part of our future uranium enrichment capacity.”
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSSMs, Box 49, Originals–NSSM 207 to NSSM 227. Confidential. Copies were sent to Simon, Dent, Seidman, Sawhill, and Brown. An attached September 6 memorandum from Davis indicated that Iklé was to be added as an addressee of NSSM 209.
80. Report Prepared by an Ad Hoc Interagency Group
Summary: This report on potential U.S.-Soviet talks regarding restraints on environmental warfare was prepared at the request of the Senior Review Group following its August 28 meeting.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Files of NSC Logged Documents, IF/NS File for the President, Box 1, 7402102, International Restraints on Environmental Warfare (NSDM 277). Secret. Sent to Scowcroft under a September 9 memorandum from Springsteen. The minutes of the August 28 Senior Review Group meeting are Document 75. The NSC Under Secretaries Committee report is summarized in Document 74.
81. Memorandum NSC–U/DM–128 From the Chairman of the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee (Ingersoll) to President Ford
Summary: Ingersoll informed President Ford of the report prepared by the Interagency Study Group for the NSC Under Secretaries Committee, entitled “Modification of the Limited Test Ban Treaty to Allow Peaceful Nuclear Explosions for Excavation Projects.” He noted that the report presented three options for consideration regarding the treaty and highlighted Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and Atomic Energy Commission views of the options.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Under Secretaries Committee, Box 74, NSC–U/DM 128—Limited Test Ban Treaty (1). Secret. The report is Document 82.
82. Report Prepared by an Interagency Study Group of the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee
Summary: The report, which President Ford had requested, provided three possible alternatives to modification of the Limited Test Ban Treaty.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Under Secretaries Committee, Box 74, NSC–U/DM 128–Limited Test Ban Treaty (1). Secret. Ingersoll sent Ford the report under a September 13 memorandum, Document 81. The annexes are not attached and not found. The 1967 U.S. “Statement of Principles Relating to Nuclear Explosion Services” is in Documents on Disarmament, 1967, pp. 172–174.
83. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: President Ford and Kissinger discussed nonproliferation issues with Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko and Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, 1973–1977, Box 6. Secret; Nodis. All brackets and ellipses are in the original except brackets indicating text omitted by the editors. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. The memorandum of conversation is printed in full in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XVI, Soviet Union, August 1974–December 1976, as Document 40. Ford and Kissinger also met with Gromyko and Dobrynin during the morning of September 20; Kissinger met separately with Gromyko and Dobrynin that afternoon. For the memoranda of conversation, see ibid., Documents 37 and 38.
85. Memorandum From Jan Lodal of the National Security Council Staff and the Counselor of the Department of State (Sonnenfeldt) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Lodal and Sonnenfeldt provided Kissinger with an overview of subjects to be discussed at the Verification Panel meeting on peaceful nuclear explosions scheduled for September 28.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Meetings, Box 1, Verification Panel Meeting, 9/28/74—Test Ban (1). Secret; Completely Outside the System. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. Tabs A–J were not attached; Tab C is Document 82.
86. Minutes of a Verification Panel Meeting
Summary: The participants discussed the upcoming U.S.-Soviet talks on peaceful nuclear explosions.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Meetings, Box 22, Meeting Minutes—Verification Panel (Notes) (3). No classification marking. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. There is no indication as to the drafter of the minutes or meeting location. The chart, “Soviet Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Explosions,” is attached but not published.
87. Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff and the Counselor of the Department of State (Sonnenfeldt) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Referencing the pending action on the environmental warfare package, Elliott and Sonnenfeldt indicated that Kissinger needed to reach a decision concerning the approach to take in talks on the subject with Soviet officials at the ongoing UN General Assembly session.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Agency Files, Box 21, USUN, 10/1/74–7/31/75. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for urgent action. Under the questions posed at the end of the memorandum, Kissinger checked taking a direct approach to the Soviets in New York; agreeing that USUN would work with the Soviets to improve the resolution; and agreeing to set a date for the talks with the Soviets. Tab A, a copy of the July 3 U.S.–USSR Joint Statement; Tab B, telegram 3428 from USUN, September 26; and Tab C, the text of a draft telegram to USUN, are attached but not published. The minutes of the August 28 Senior Review Group meeting are Document 75. The Soviet draft resolution and convention introduced in the General Assembly on September 24 are printed in Documents on Disarmament, 1974, pp. 516–521.
88. National Security Decision Memorandum 273
Summary: Kissinger outlined the approved instructions for the U.S. delegation to the PNE negotiations in Moscow.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSDMs, Box 69, Originals–NSDM 265 to NSDM 280. Secret. Copies were sent to Brown and Colby. For a summary of the talks, see Document 99.
89. Telegram 15157 From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported on a private conversation that took place between U.S. and Soviet officials at a luncheon during the first day of the TTBT/PNE talks in Moscow.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740284–1107. Secret; Immediate; Exdis.
90. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford
Summary: Kissinger informed President Ford that as a result of the interagency review and a Senior Review Group meeting, all agencies except the Joint Chiefs of Staff agreed some restraints on environmental warfare were in the best interest of the United States. He indicated that the U.S. approach should be consistent with the OSD/JCS position and recommended that Ford approve a draft National Security Decision Memorandum that reflected this approach.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSDMs, Box 55, NSDM 277—International Restraints on Environmental Warfare (3). Secret. Sent for action. A stamped notation at the top of the first page of the memorandum indicates that Ford saw it. Ford initialed his approval of the recommendation. NSDM 277 as approved is Document 94.