Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XLIV, Part 1, National Security Policy, 1985–1988

176. Memorandum From Robert Linhard and Steven Steiner of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Acting Assistant for National Security Affairs (Keel)¹

Washington, undated

SUBJECT

• December 17 SDI Briefing: Analysis of DOD Early Deployment Options

At Tab I² for your approval is an information memo to the President providing him with further detail, and some questions he might raise, concerning the DOD SDI briefing on December 17.

At Tab II³ are proposed talking points for your use in introducing the Secretary’s briefing and in seeking clarification of some aspects of the DOD-proposed deployment plan which (to now) still remain unclear.

Admiral Cockell concurs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1) That you send the memo at Tab I to the President.⁴

2) That you draw upon the points in Tab II at the briefing.⁵

1. Source: Reagan Library, Sven Kraemer Files, December 1986 Chron File. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. An unknown hand wrote “Dec 16?” in the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum. Steiner initialed for Cockell’s concurrence.
2. Printed as Document 177.
3. Printed as Document 178.
4. Keel approved the recommendation.
5. Keel approved the recommendation.