Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXVI, Arms Control and Nonproliferation

87. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

Washington, August 14, 1978, 1515Z

204929. Subject: Chemical Weapons Consultations With Allies: Guidance. Ref: (A) London 12331² (B) State 198190.³

1. This telegram provides guidance for the US Delegation during the bilateral Chemical Weapons consultations with the UK to be held in London on August 15 and quadrilateral CW consultations with the UK, FRG and France to be held in London on August 16.

2. In the August 15 bilateral consultations with the UK, the US Delegation should:

(A) Attempt to clarify the British position on declaration and disposition of UK Chemical Weapons production and filling facilities;

(B) Discuss the desirability and feasibility of further quadrilateral consultations later this year for the purpose of discussing the declaration of stocks under the CW convention and estimates of the Soviet/Warsaw pact Chemical Weapons stockpile. In our view such consultations would involve political, military and intelligence representatives. No more than two days would be necessary. US preferences regarding exact timing of these quadrilateral consultations cannot be expressed at this time, but will be made known in near future.

3. In the quadrilateral consultations on August 16, the Delegation should:

(A) Explore possible approaches to the question of the cut-off date for declaration of Chemical Weapons production and filling facilities;

(B) Discuss various options for disposition of such facilities, including the option currently being considered in Washington to permit conversion of such facilities to peaceful purposes under appropriate safeguards;

(C) Seek views on the US proposal that, as a confidence-building measure, information be exchanged on activities related to protection against Chemical Weapons;

(D) Ascertain how the FRG plans to follow up on Chancellor Schmidt’s proposal at the UN special session on disarmament that other countries send representatives to Germany to see that it is possible to verify adequately a ban on production of Chemical Weapons;

(E) Propose that further quadrilateral consultations on stockpile declaration and estimates be held later in the year, as discussed above in para 2 (B). (This should only be raised if the UK has posed no objections in the earlier bilateral session.)

Vance

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780331–1199. Confidential. Sent for information to the Mission in Geneva, Bonn, Paris, and USNATO. Drafted by Robert Mikulak (ACDA/MA/AT); cleared by Roger Booth (ACDA/MA/AT), Robert Strand (ACDA/MA/IR), David Carlson (PM/DCA), Dufour Woolfley (EUR/NE), Susan Klingaman (EUR/CE), Edgar Beigel (EUR/WE), Sheila Buckley (DOD), [name not declassified], and [name not declassified]; and approved by Thomas Davies (ACDA/MA).
2. In telegram 12331 from London, August 3, the Embassy informed the Department of State that the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office had agreed to host a meeting on chemical weapons negotiations between U.S., UK, French, and West German experts on August 16. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780318–0118)
3. In telegram 198190 to London, August 5, the Department of State informed the Embassy that “it would be desirable for US and UK experts to consult briefly, prior to the quadrilateral meeting,” on “questions of particular US–UK interest.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780321–0203)