Office of the Historian

53. National Security Decision Memorandum 2551

Washington, June 3, 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
[Page 119]

SUBJECT

  • Security and Other Aspects of the Growth and Dissemination of Nuclear Power Industries

The President has reviewed the report of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee (USC), prepared in response to NSDM 235 and forwarded by the USC Chairman on April 5, 1974, outlining steps the United States could take with other nations concerning the problems associated with the increased availability of weapons useable materials from the growth and dissemination of nuclear power industries.

The President has approved the recommended consultations with other countries—particularly present or potential suppliers of materials, technology and equipment—with the objectives detailed in the USC report.

The initial consultations should emphasize but not necessarily be limited to the need for: (1) establishing agreed international guidelines, preferably based on U.S. practice, to ensure the physical security of weapons useable and highly toxic materials whether internationally transferred or indigenously produced; (2) reaching some common principles regarding the supply of sensitive enrichment technology or equipment; (3) avoiding or applying stricter terms for supply in situations where special hazards could be present; and (4) encouraging, where appropriate, multinational enrichment, fuel fabrication and reprocessing facilities.

The Department of State, in coordination with the Atomic Energy Commission (and other interested agencies when appropriate), will have primary responsibility for the conduct of these consultations and for reporting significant developments.

In addition, the President has directed that a prompt study of possible provisions for an international convention concerned with physical security guidelines be conducted by an Ad Hoc Group, chaired by a representative of the Atomic Energy Commission and comprising representatives of the addressees. In addition, the Ad Hoc Group should explore the idea of establishing better information exchange internationally on transfers of materials, equipment, or technology. The Ad Hoc Group’s study should be forwarded by August 12, 1974 for the President’s consideration.

Henry A. Kissinger

  1. Summary: Kissinger informed the addressees that President Nixon had reviewed the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee report prepared in response to NSDM 235, and had approved the recommended consultations with other countries. Nixon also directed an ad hoc interagency group comprised of representatives from the Department of Defense, Department of State, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and Atomic Energy Commission to study possible provisions for an international convention concerning physical security guidelines.

    Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Institutional Files, National Security Decision Memoranda, Box H–246, NSDM 255. Secret. A copy was sent to Moorer. Attached as Tab A to Document 45. The report of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee is Document 31. Rush’s April 5 memorandum is Document 39. The September NSDM 255 study, “Provisions for an International Convention Concerned with Physical Security Guidelines and Transfer of Materials, Equipment and Technology,” is in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Institutional Files, National Security Decision Memoranda, Box H–246, NSDM 255.

    ↩