Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XI, START I

81. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Clark) to President Reagan¹

Washington, October 4, 1983

SUBJECT

• Decision Package on START & Build-down Issues for Round V of the START Negotiations

Issue. Does the draft NSDD (Tab A)² reflect your decisions concerning START and the build-down initiative?

Facts. The paper provided at Tab B³ reflects a position on build-down that was used to gain the support of both the Scowcroft Commission and the “group of six.”

Tab C is a more detailed description⁴ of the recommended U.S. build-down initiative and the related modifications to our START position. It was developed by the NSC staff and is not necessarily concurred in by all Departments and Agencies.

Tab D is an NSC staff analysis⁵ of each of the elements of the recommended build-down initiative and the modifications to our START position. It identifies:

—the specific elements of the build-down initiative;

—the other START related issues discussed at the September 29th NSPG⁶ and requiring decision;

—the views of those who would argue against each of the elements of the U.S. package recommended in the draft NSDD; and,

—NSC staff recommendations.

Discussion. The various issues are summarized best at Tab D. This summary recommends a build-down initiative along the lines of the guidance you previously provided and the establishment of a working group to discuss the initiative during Round V. It also recommends that you approve the two items upon which there was consensus at the September 29th NSPG (further ALCM limits and a ban on ALCMs with multiple nuclear warheads), but recommends that you defer decision on the two more controversial items (SLCM limits and elimination of the 2500 ICBM RV sub-limit) until a later time.

The draft NSDD provided at Tab A reflects the recommendations.

Recommendation

OK	No
________	________	That you approve the draft NSDD provided at Tab A.7

1. Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR 0106 [START]. Secret. Sent for action. A stamped notation at the top of the memorandum reads: “Signed.”
2. Printed as Document 82.
3. Attached but not printed is an October 3 paper, “START—Preparation for Round V.”
4. Attached but not printed is an October 3 paper, “NSC Staff Internal Description of the START/Build-Down Package.”
5. Attached but not printed is an undated paper, “NSC Staff Analysis of the START/Build-down Initiative.”
6. See footnote 2, Document 80.
7. Reagan initialed his approval. In a statement from the Rose Garden the same day, Reagan declared: “When the START negotiations resume tomorrow, the United States delegation will again have sustained flexibility. Within the framework of the basic principles that have guided us throughout these negotiations, I am directing Ambassador Rowny to offer the following new initiatives. We’re incorporating into START a series of build-down proposals. The United States will introduce a proposal for a mutual, guaranteed build-down, designed to encourage stabilizing systems. The proposal will include specific provisions for building down ballistic warheads and, concurrently, for addressing a parallel build-down on bombers.” (“Remarks to Reporters Announcing New United States Initiatives in the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks,” Public Papers: Reagan, 1982, vol. 2, pp. 1411–1412).