6. Editorial Note
On April 9, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon transmitted to Congress a copy of the 1972 annual report of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency entitled “Arms Control Report: 12th Annual Report to Congress, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, January 1–December 31, 1972.” In a White House press release issued on April 9, the President noted the agency’s accomplishments during the previous year:
“The year covered by this report has been the most rewarding in the twelve-year history of the agency. Agreements reached with the Soviet Union in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks testify to the determination of this Administration to move away from the dangers and burdens of unrestrained arms competition and toward a stable and constructive international relationship.
“The negotiations have resulted not in concessions by two parties, one to the other, but in mutual arrangements to insure mutual security. For the first time, the United States and the Soviet Union have taken substantial steps in concert to reduce the threat of nuclear war. The current round of SALT negotiations will concentrate on achieving a definitive treaty on the limitation of offensive weapons systems.
“The past year has also seen continued progress in other areas of arms control.
“Four years after the initial NATO proposal, positive planning has begun for a conference on Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions in Central Europe. The Convention banning biological weapons and calling for the destruction of existing stockpiles was opened for signature on April 10, 1972. At the Conference on the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva, the problems associated with the control of chemical warfare through international law were subjected to patient and careful examination. The number of nations adhering to the Nonproliferation Treaty has now reached 76 and successful negotiations on safeguard arrangements have paved the way for ratification by key European countries.
“Much has been accomplished, but much remains to be done. With the beginning of my second term in office, I rededicate my Administration to the goal of bringing the instruments of warfare under effective and verifiable control.” (Public Papers: Nixon, 1973, pages 257–258) For ACDA’s 1972 annual report, see Documents on Disarmament, 1972, pages 871–905.