Office of the Historian

238. Memorandum From Secretary of Energy Schlesinger to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1

Washington, August 22, 1979

SUBJECT

  • Soviet Nuclear Test

[8½ lines not declassified]

I strongly urge that this Government seek an explanation of this event from the Soviet government. [2½ lines not declassified] The United States has adhered scrupulously to this bilateral moratorium. It appears that the Soviets have been less scrupulous.

The US response to this type of event could have a major impact on Senate deliberations on the SALT II Treaty. Some Senators could see US actions in this area as being indicative of future US actions with respect to compliance ambiguities in SALT. Consequently, I urge your serious consideration of this issue.

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 8, Energy Department: 8–10/79. Secret.↩