October 1984–January 1985
“An iron-ass Secretary of State”: Shultz and Gromyko in Geneva
329. Personal Note Prepared by the Deputy Secretary of State (Dam)
Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S–I Records, Deputy Secretary Dam’s Official Files: Lot 85D308, Personal Notes of Deputy Secretary—Kenneth W. Dam—Oct. 1984–June 1985. No classification marking. Dictated by Dam on December 10.
330. Paper Prepared in the Directorate of Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Country File, Europe and Soviet Union, USSR (12/05/84–12/16/84); NLR–748–25A–43–8–4. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. Prepared in the Defense Spending Branch, Econometric Analysis Division, Office of Soviet Analysis. Reagan initialed the paper on December 12, indicating he saw it. In an undated handwritten cover note to Poindexter, Matlock wrote: “The attached analysis is worth a quick glance, since it deals with an interesting comment by a Soviet ‘scholar’ which would indicate that the CIA may have been underestimating the real impact on the Soviet economy of the Soviet defense effort. I have personally long thought that this was the case, and that the Agency, relying greatly on Soviet published statistics, underestimated the real impact. Since much of the latter is qualitative, it is difficult to quantify in the statistical terms the Agency uses. Jack.” Poindexter wrote in the margin: “Thanks. I gave this report to the President yesterday. I agree with you. JP.” (Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Chronological File, 1980–1986, Matlock Chron December 1984 (2/5)
331. Minutes of a National Security Planning Group Meeting
Source: Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Chronological File, Chron File 12/15/1984 (2). Secret; Sensitive. Prepared by Lehman. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.
332. Memorandum for the Record by Ronald Lehman of the National Security Council Staff
Source: Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Subject File, Geneva Talks—Background #2 12/13/1984. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. The memorandum for the record is unsigned. In a covering memorandum to McFarlane, Lehman wrote: “Attached for your information is a Memorandum for the Record of our conversation with Paul Nitze with a copy of his paper that I have annotated.”
333. Memorandum From Ronald Lehman of the National Security Council to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Subject File, Geneva Talks—Background #2 12/13/1984. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. McFarlane wrote in the upper right-hand corner: “Good work Ron.”
334. Minutes of a National Security Planning Group Meeting
Source: Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Chronological File, Chron File 12/22/1984–12/27/1984. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. A set of handwritten notes of the meeting, likely Lehman’s, are in the Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Subject File, Geneva Talks—Background #2 12/14/84–12/20/84. Another set of handwritten notes of this meeting are in the Reagan Library, Fred Ikle Files—Arms Control, 1983–1985. In his diary entry for December 17, Reagan wrote: “We had an N.S.P.G. meeting again on our negotiating posture in the upcoming meeting with Gromyko & the arms talks. I believe the Soviets have agreed to the talks only to head off our research on a strategic defense against nuc. wpns. I stand firm we cannot retreat on that no matter what they offer.” (Brinkley, ed., The Reagan Diaries, vol. I, January 1981–October 1985, p. 408)
335. Memorandum From Secretary of State Shultz to President Reagan
Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S, Sensitive and Super Sensitive Documents, Lot 92D52, December 1984 Super Sensitive Documents. Secret; Sensitive. According to a December 21 covering memorandum from Burt to Shultz, the letter was drafted by Pascoe and cleared by Palmer. A typed note indicates the package was “Delivered to WH Sit Room at 2100 hours per S/S.”
336. Letter From President Reagan to Soviet General Secretary Chernenko
Source: Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, US-USSR Summits, E.3, President/Chernenko Correspondence (2/2). No classification marking. Shultz sent Reagan a first draft of this letter with a covering memorandum on December 3. The letter went through several rounds of revisions by the State Department and the NSC Staff. In a memorandum forwarding both the revised letter and Shultz’s memorandum to Reagan on December 17, McFarlane wrote: “Shultz has sent over a memorandum recommending that you reply to the letter, keeping this subject separate from your correspondence regarding the Geneva meeting and other subjects. I agree with George’s recommendation, particularly since I believe that Chernenko’s letter gives you an opportunity to reiterate in the most authoritative fashion the unacceptability of supplying jet aircraft to Nicaragua which could be used for combat.” Reagan approved the recommendation to sign the letter to Chernenko. (Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Head of State Correspondence (US-USSR) December 1984)
337. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Subject File, Thatcher, 1984. The morning private meeting took place in the Aspen Lodge. The expanded meeting and working lunch took place in the Laurel Lodge. Reagan wrote in his diary entries for December 22–23: “Sat. dawned clear & bright which was fine because P.M. Margaret Thatcher was coming in for a visit. I met her in a golf cart & took her to Aspen where she & I had a brief visit in which I got a report on her visit with Gorbachev of Soviet U. In an amazing coincidence I learned she had said virtually the same things to him I had said to Gromyko. In addition, she made it clear there was no way the Soviet U. could split Eng. away from the US. Then we joined the others—Ambassadors, Shultz, McFarlane, Bush, et al at Laurel for a plenary meeting & working lunch. Main topic was our Strategic Defense Research (‘Starwars’) I believe [we] eased some concerns she had.” (Brinkley, ed., The Reagan Diaries, vol. I, January 1981–October 1985, p. 411)
338. Letter From Director of Central Intelligence Casey to President Reagan
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 88B00443R: Box 16, Folder: DCI Memo Chron (1–31 Dec ’84). Top Secret; Sensitive. In a covering note to McFarlane, Casey wrote: “The attached is in response to your request, of 20 December, for my views on the upcoming Geneva Talks. There is a copy for you, as well as the original for the President.” The words “GENEVA TALKS” are typed and underlined in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
339. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Vessey) to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Robert Linhard Files, Arms Control Chron, Geneva Prep III—December 1984 “Geneva—NSDD Instructions” (2). Top Secret; Sensitive; King. A copy was sent to Weinberger. In a handwritten covering note to McFarlane, attached to another copy of the memorandum, Vessey wrote: “Bud—The JCS views in response to your 20 Dec memo. I have sent a copy to Cap. Jack.” (Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Subject File, Geneva Talks—Background #2 12/21/1984–12/26/1984)
340. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Weinberger to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Sven Kraemer Files, Geneva—NSDD Package, 12/31/1984–01/01/1985 (3). Top Secret; King.
341. Memorandum From Peter Sommer of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Subject File, Geneva Talks—Reference 12/20/84–12/24/84. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. Copies were sent to Matlock and Lehman.
342. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Weinberger to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Sven Kraemer Files, Geneva—NSDD Package, 12/31/1984–01/01/1985 (3). Top Secret; King.
343. Memorandum From Secretary of State Shultz to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Sven Kraemer Files, Geneva—NSDD Package, 12/31/1984–01/01/1985 (3). Secret; Sensitive; King. According to another copy, the memorandum was drafted by Vershbow and Pifer; cleared by Nitze, Gordon, and Courtney. (Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S, Sensitive and Super Sensitive Documents, Lot 92D52, December 1984 Super Sensitive Documents)
344. Memorandum From Jack Matlock of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Chronological File, 1980–1986, Matlock Chron December 1984 (5/5). Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Not for System. Sent for information.
345. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Robert McFarlane Files, Chronological File, Sensitive Chron 1985; NLR–362–7–38–4–7. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. According to the President’s Daily Diary, McFarlane was with Reagan in Palm Springs from December 29 to January 2. (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary)
346. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Ronald Lehman Files, Subject File, Geneva Talks—Background #2 01/01/1985–01/03/1985. Top Secret. Sent for action. According to the President’s Daily Diary, McFarlane was with Reagan in Palm Springs from December 29 to January 2. (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary) The memorandum is unsigned. In a December 28 memorandum, Kraemer, Linhard, and Lehman forwarded to McFarlane this memorandum and a “proposed decision package for the President’s use in making final decisions and in providing instructions to the delegation for discussion of arms control issues in Geneva on January 7 to 8, 1985.” They continued: “The cover memorandum from you to the President outlines the contents of each of the three major tabs and portrays the fundamental consensus and differences of principals and agencies on the substantive and procedural issues resolved in the Decision Directive.” (Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC National Security Decision Directives, NSDD 153, [Shultz-Gromyko Meeting in Geneva, 01/01/1985]).
347. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Robert McFarlane Files, Chronological File, Sensitive Chron 1985; NLR–362–7–38–3–8. Secret. Sent for information. According to the President’s Daily Diary, McFarlane was with Reagan in Palm Springs from December 29 to January 2. (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary)
348. National Security Decision Directive 153
Source: Reagan Library, Linhard Files, Shultz-Gromyko—January 1985 [Final NSDD—Geneva Instructions 01/01/1985] (1). Secret. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Reagan was in Palm Springs, California, from December 29 to January 2 (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary) so presumably signed the NSDD in Palm Springs. Reagan also initialed at the top of the first page. In a January 1 PROFs note, McFarlane wrote: “At the conclusion of a one hour, forty-five minute meeting with Cap, George and me, the President approved the instructions for Geneva subject to a few minor edits.” McFarlane listed the changes, which were incorporated into this final version. McFarlane instructed: “With these changes, the President has signed it. Please have a smooth prepared but do not distribute it.” (Reagan Library, Sven Kraemer Files, Geneva—NSDD Package, 12/31/1984–01/01/1985 (1) In an undated handwritten note to Reagan on “Aboard Air Force One” stationery, likely written during their January 2 return trip to Washington, McFarlane wrote: “Mr. President, This is a ‘smooth’ version of the NSDD you’ve already signed after your meeting with Cap and George Jan 1 at Annenberg’s. Could you please sign this ‘original’. It is a verbatim reprint. Bud.”
349. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (Burt) to Secretary of State Shultz
Source: Reagan Library, George Shultz Papers, Box 13, Executive Secretariat Sensitive (1/1/1985–1/17/1985); NLR–775–13–1–1–5. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Vershbow on December 31, 1984; cleared by Simons, Palmer, Pifer, Timbie, and Courtney. Forwarded though Armacost. A handwritten note in the margin reads: “Text same as State 004 (Tosec 200055).”
350. Memorandum From Jack Matlock of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Reagan Library, System IV Intelligence Files, 1985, 400005. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for action. The memorandum is incorrectly dated January 3, 1984. In a handwritten cover note to Poindexter dated January 3, Matlock wrote: “John—this report reached me only this afternoon. I am not sure that either you or Bud have seen it. It is of sufficient importance and sensitivity that I think Bud should discuss it with the President—privately if possible—tomorrow. I believe that it should not be disseminated to members of the SACG at this point since it requires the most delicate—and confidential—handling—Jack.”
351. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Roger Robinson Files, Chronological File, Robinson Chron January 1985–February 1985; NLR–487–11–29–3–5. Sent for action. Prepared by Robinson. Poindexter initialed the memorandum for McFarlane.
352. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (Burt) to Secretary of State Shultz
Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S, Memorandum of Conversations Pertaining to the United States and USSR Relations, 1981–1990, Lot 93D188, Shultz-Gromyko at Geneva, January 1985. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Vershbow on January 5; cleared by Simons, Palmer, Pifer, Schwartz (PM/SNP), Chain, Nitze, and McFarlane. Palmer initialed for all clearing officials. This memorandum was the first document in the Secretary’s briefing book for his trip to Geneva. The book also contains schedules and other papers to prepare for Shultz’s meetings with Gromyko.
353. Memorandum From President Reagan to Secretary of Defense Weinberger
Source: Reagan Library, Sven Kraemer Files, December Chron File. Top Secret; King. A copy was sent to Shultz. In a January 5 covering memorandum to Reagan, McFarlane wrote: “Mr. President, the plain facts are these. You, I, George and others have stated publicly that we will be going to Geneva with new ideas; that we will be flexible and constructive. If we arrive and simply restate our existing position without even an explanation of what we are talking about, we face the high likelihood that the Soviets will make that public, charge us with bad faith, and we will be held responsible for the impasse.” Additional passages from McFarlane’s memorandum are provided in footnotes below.
354. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, N850001–0117. Secret; Niact Immediate; Nodis. Shultz arrived in Geneva on January 6.
355. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Chronological File, 1980–1986, Matlock Chron March 1985 (2/4)). Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Matlock and Arensburger. The meeting took place in the Soviet Mission. Brackets are in the original.
356. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz to the Department of State and the White House
Source: Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Meetings with USSR Officials, Geneva Meeting: Shultz/Gromyko 01/07/1985 Morning (1). Secret; Niact Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Hartman; cleared by McFarlane, Hill, M. Bova (S/S), and K. Clark (S); and approved by Shultz.
357. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Chronological File, 1980–1986, Matlock Chron March 1985 (2/4). Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Matlock and Carolyn Smith. The meeting took place in the U.S. Mission.
358. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz to the White House and the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, N850001–0159. Secret; Niact Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Priority to Moscow. In his diary for January 7, Reagan wrote: “Only 1st reports from George S. & Bud in Geneva & not much to talk about. I’ll try to remember ‘no news’ may be good news.” (Brinkley, ed., The Reagan Diaries, vol. I, January 1981–October 1985, p. 414)