222. Memorandum From the Director of Central Intelligence (Turner) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1

SUBJECT

  • Comprehensive Test Ban Instructions

1. I have reviewed your memorandum of 25 September2 concerning the change in our negotiating position for the current round of CTB talks in Geneva. I am very concerned about the decisions to reduce our requirement for internal seismic stations [less than 1 line not declassified] Since monitoring of Soviet compliance with a CTB will be the responsibility of the DCI, I am further concerned that I was not consulted on this decision prior to its implementation.

2. I recognize that the implementation of a full [less than 1 line not declassified] network [less than 1 line not declassified] might not be possible during the term of a three year treaty. I believe it to be unwise to immediately and unilaterally reduce our requirements until we have at least explored Soviet reaction to our three year treaty proposal. More[Page 547]over, establishing the right to have [number not declassified] stations [less than 1 line not declassified] is important in itself. If, for instance, the treaty were extended for a second three years, we would be without grounds for establishing any [number not declassified] over the six year period. [2 lines not declassified] I believe that it would impair the prospects for ratification if we had abandoned what might turn out to be a very useful element of verification.

Stansfield Turner
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 6, Comprehensive Test Ban (CTB), 1–12/78. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. Copies were sent to Vance and Warnke.
  2. See Document 219.