Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–14, Part 2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1973–1976

50. National Security Study Memorandum 202¹

Washington, May 23, 1974.

TO

• The Secretary of Defense
• The Deputy Secretary of State
• The Director, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
• The Director of Central Intelligence
• The Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission

SUBJECT

• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

The President has directed a review of U.S. policy concerning the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The study should review present U.S. policy concerning non-proliferation and the NPT in the light of changed conditions since completion of NSSM 13, and, in particular, in light of India’s announcement of its underground nuclear test. The study should consider the full range of issues posed by the changed circumstances affecting our posture toward non-proliferation and the NPT and present options for future U.S. policy. It also should consider specifically whether the U.S. should press for renewed support for the treaty by those now party to it and accession to the treaty by those not yet signators, and if so how and to what extent. The options should include consideration of public, congressional and diplomatic posture for the U.S.

The study should take into account the study done in response to NSSM 13 and subsequent work in connection therewith, particularly that in preparation for the 1975 NPT Review Conference. It also should take into account the work done in connection with NSSM 195 and the updating currently underway in connection with NSSM 156.

The President has directed that the study be accomplished by the NSC Under Secretaries Committee and be forwarded not later than June 12, 1974.

Henry A. Kissinger

1. Summary: President Nixon directed the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee to review U.S. policy concerning the Nonproliferation Treaty.

   Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Institutional Files, National Security Study Memoranda, Box H–205, NSSM 202. Secret. Scowcroft signed for Kissinger above Kissinger’s typed signature. Copies were sent to Rush and Moorer. Scowcroft underlined the date in the last paragraph of the memorandum and placed a vertical line in the left-hand margin next to that sentence. NSSM 13 is published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969–1972, as Document 9. The study prepared in response to NSSM 13 is ibid., Document 13. NSSM 195 is Document 30 in this volume. NSSM 156 is published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972, as Document 275. A draft of the report detailing the study’s findings study is Document 57 in this volume.