82. Memorandum From the National Security Council Staff Secretary (Dodson) to the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Tarnoff) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense1

SUBJECT

  • Joint State–Defense Memoranda on Arms Sales to the ROC2

The recommendations of a February 28, NSC-chaired Inter-agency meeting on possible arms sales to the Republic of China have been reviewed. You should be aware of the following decisions:

1. The following requests by the ROC should begin the clearance process this Spring, including an assessment of when the two Howitzer sales could be accommodated within the arms sales ceiling:

• 100 155mm self-propelled Howitzers.

• 100 8-inch Howitzers.

• 150 M–48 A–1 unserviceable tanks for cannibalization.

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• Four PPS–43 mobile radar systems.

• A low-altitude aircraft detection system.

2. Consideration of the third Hawk battalion should be deferred.

3. Major requests for arms (i.e., jet aircraft—F–4s, additional F–5s, or Kfir fighters—the Harpoon missile; or the Maverick) should be the subject of a separate analysis and possible PRC meeting.

Christine Dodson
  1. Source: Carter Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 42, PRM–24 [2]. Secret; Sensitive.
  2. Attached to Document 78.