SDI and Strategic Modernization
31. Memorandum From John Douglass of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–090, NSDD 178. Top Secret. Sent for action. A stamped notation indicates McFarlane saw the memorandum.
32. Letter From Director of Central Intelligence Casey to President Reagan
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 88B00443R, Box 17, Folder: DCI Memo Chrono (1–3 Apr ‘85). Secret. Casey sent the letter to Weinberger under cover of an April 26 note: “Dear Cap, I had a talk with the President today in which I gave him this letter. I think you will be interested in the London Times editorial which is also attached.” According to the President’s Daily Diary, Reagan met with Casey, Regan, and McFarlane in the Oval Office from 9:52–10:12 a.m. (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary) No minutes were found.
33. Memorandum From John Douglass of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–090, NSDD 178. Top Secret; Special Access. Sent for action.
34. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy (Perle) to Secretary of Defense Weinberger
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Weinberger Papers, Department of Defense Files, Box CL 837, Subject File, “1985” U.S.S.R. #42–63 (5). Secret; Noforn. Sent through Ikle. An unknown hand initialed the memorandum on Ikle’s behalf.
35. Memorandum From the Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State on Arms Control Matters (Nitze) to Secretary of State Shultz
Source: Department of State, Ambassador Nitze’s Personal Files 1953, 1972–1989, Lot 90D397, May 1985. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Pifer.
36. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Weinberger to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Weinberger Papers, Department of Defense Files, Box CL 828, Subject File, 1985 President—memoranda to #149–197 (4). Secret.
37. Memorandum From the Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Kelley) to Secretary of Defense Weinberger
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Weinberger Papers, Department of Defense Files, Box CL 837, Subject File, 1985 U.S.S.R. #64–73 (6). Secret.
38. Memorandum From John Douglass of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Reagan Library, W Files, Special Programs (1985) [Folder 3]. Secret. Sent for action.
39. Talking Points Prepared in the Department of State
Source: Reagan Library, George Shultz Papers, 1985 May 29 Mtg. w/ the PRES. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Vershbow. A stamped notation indicates Shultz saw the talking points. Burt and Chain forwarded the talking points to Shultz under cover of a May 28 memorandum, in which they wrote: “Attached are talking points on Interim Restraint you may wish to draw upon in your Wednesday meeting with the President.” (Ibid.) According to the President’s Daily Diary, Shultz met with Reagan and McFarlane in the Oval Office from 2 until 2:30 p.m. on May 29. (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary) No minutes have been found.
40. National Security Decision Directive 172
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC National Security Decision Directives (NSDD), NSDD 172, [Presenting the Strategic Defense Initiative]. Secret. McFarlane distributed the NSDD to Bush, Shultz, Weinberger, Herrington, Casey, Vessey, Adelman, and Keyworth under a May 31 covering memorandum: “Attached is the Decision Directive on Presenting the Strategic Defense Initiative.” (Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1985 Nodis and Exdis Secretariat Memorandums, Lot 94D092, 1985 Nodis Memorandums: June 1–30, 1985)
41. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–104, NSC 00118. Secret. Copies were sent to Bush and Regan. Prepared by Wright and Kraemer. A stamped notation in the top right-hand corner of the memorandum indicates Reagan saw it. Reagan wrote his initials in the top right-hand corner of the memorandum. The meeting was scheduled to take place on June 3 from 11:00 a.m. until noon in the Cabinet Room.
42. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–104, NSC 00118. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Prepared by Kraemer and Wright. A stamped notation in the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum indicates Reagan saw it.
43. Minutes of a National Security Council Meeting
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–104, NSC 00118. Secret; Sensitive. Prepared by Wright and Kraemer. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room. In a personal diary entry for June 3, Reagan wrote: “An N.S.C. meeting dealt with what to do about the SALT II unratified treaty which expires in Dec. So far the Soviets & us have operated on an agreement that even though the treaty had not been officially adopted we’d both conduct our arms policies within the treaties restraints. We’ve done so but they have cheated a number of times. Now we are coming to a time when we’ll have to dismantle Poseidon sub’s. as we add Tridents to our Navy. Question do we do that even though they are cheating or do we announce that we’ll no longer abide by the agreement? I’ve had 5 options presented to me & now it’s up to me & frankly I dont have the answer yet.” (Brinkley, ed., The Reagan Diaries, vol. I, January 1981–October 1985, p. 466)
44. 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 Files, 1980–1986, Matlock Chron June 1985. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for information. Sent through Poindexter, who did not initial the memorandum. McFarlane wrote in the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum: “I agree. M.”
45. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Weinberger to President Reagan
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Weinberger Papers, Department of Defense Files, Box CL828, Subject File, 1985, President—Memoranda to # 149–197 (4). Secret. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads: “Signer’s Copy.”
46. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–088, NSDD–173. Secret. Sent for action. Prepared by Linhard. Brackets, except those indicating material not declassified, are in the original. Poindexter initialed the memorandum on McFarlane’s behalf. A stamped notation at the top of the memorandum reads: “Signed.” In a personal diary entry for Saturday, June 8–Sunday, June 9, Reagan wrote: “N.S.C. kept sending intelligence memos having to do with P.M. Gandhis visit & SALT II & our allies position. They want us to continue abiding by it. Tomorrow Mon. I forward my decision to the Cong. We will abide by SALT II to the extent the Soviets do—which means we wont destroy a Poseidon Sub when the next Trident is launched in September.” (Brinkley, ed., The Reagan Diaries, vol. I, January 1981–October 1985, p. 468)
47. National Security Decision Directive 173
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–088, NSDD–173. Secret. McFarlane distributed the NSDD to Bush, Shultz, Weinberger, Casey, Vessey, and Adelman under cover of a June 10 memorandum: “Attached is NSDD–173, the Decision Directive on Building an Interim Framework for Mutual Restraint.” (Ibid.)
48. Memorandum From the Science Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (Keyworth) to the White House Chief of Staff (Regan)
Source: Reagan Library, George Keyworth Files, Subject File, SDI—Strategic Defense Initiative (June 1985) (06/01/1985–06/16/1985). No classification marking. A copy was sent to McFarlane.
49. Memorandum From John Douglass of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–090, NSDD 178. Top Secret; Special Access. Sent for action. A stamped notation at the top of the memorandum reads: “Signed.”
50. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–090, NSDD 178. Top Secret; Special Access. Sent for action. Prepared by Douglass. Reagan wrote his initials in the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum. A stamped notation at the top of the memorandum reads: “Signed.”
51. National Security Decision Directive 178
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–090, NSDD 178. Top Secret. McFarlane distributed the NSDD to Bush, Shultz, Weinberger, Stockman, Casey, Vessey, and Adelman under cover of a July 11 memorandum: “The President has approved the attached National Security Decision Directive on the Strategic Forces Modernization Program.” (Ibid.)
52. Information Memorandum From the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Rodman) to Secretary of State Shultz
Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/P Records, Memoranda and Correspondence From the Director of the Policy Planning Staff to the Secretary and Other Seventh Floor Principals, Lot 89D149, S/P CHRONS 7/1–31/85. Confidential. Drafted by Avis Bohlen and Barry Lowenkron (S/P).
53. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (Burt) to Secretary of State Shultz
Source: Department of State, Ambassador Nitze’s Personal Files 1953, 1972–1989, Lot 90D397, 1985. Secret; Sensitive. A stamped notation indicates Shultz saw the letter. Shultz wrote on the top right-hand corner of the letter: “PN, FYI. G.” A typed transcription of Shultz’s note bears the date August 5. Michele Bova also initialed the letter and wrote “1 Aug.”
54. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Weinberger to President Reagan
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Weinberger Papers, Department of Defense Files, Box CL 828, Subject File, 1985 President—Memoranda to #249–332 (6). Secret. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads: “Signer’s copy.”
55. Paper Prepared in the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–110, NSPG 120 11 Oct 1985. Secret.
56. Memorandum Prepared in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (Ikle)
Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–110, NSPG 120 11 Oct 1985. Secret. All brackets are in the original.
57. Memorandum for the Record
Source: Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, USSR Subject File, 1981–1986, Johnson, Tom Papers [Strategic Defense Initiative]. No classification marking. Drafted by Tom Johnson.
58. Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Operations, Central Intelligence Agency (George) to President Reagan, Vice President Bush, Secretary of State Shultz, Secretary of Defense Weinberger, and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Reagan Library, Kenneth deGraffenreid Files, Subject File, NSPG—Soviet SDI Briefing for the President—1985. Secret; [handling restrictions not declassified].
59. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Weinberger to President Reagan
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Weinberger Papers, Department of Defense Files, Box CL 829, Subject File, 1985 President—reports to #43–57 (4). Secret.
60. Memorandum From Robert Linhard of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Reagan Library, Steven Steiner Files, Arms Control File, AC/SDI (09/20/1985–09/30/1985). Unclassified. Sent for action.