178. Talking Points Prepared in the National Security Council1
Washington, undated
SDI BRIEFING: SUGGESTED TALKERS
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- Mr. President, Secretary Weinberger and his staff have been working hard on various options for beginning a process of step by step SDI deployments, building toward the comprehensive defenses which you seek.
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- They have come up with a suggested plan which merits your attention. Secretary Weinberger, along with Lt. Gen. Abrahamson and Assistant Secretary Perle, will present this to you today.
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- Since any such plan will raise important questions concerning budget, political timing and ABM Treaty implications, we have set this up to allow ample time for discussion at the end of the briefing. (Give floor to Secretary Weinberger).
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- (At conclusion of briefing) As I indicated, any such plan involves issues which we need to consider together. Mr. President, are there any areas which you would like to have spelled out in greater detail?
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- Can you describe in more detail the system that you would begin deploying in 1993?
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- How would you ensure the survivability of the space-based elements?
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- Given my OMB experience, would you mind if I ask what are the fiscal requirements needed to protect this option. Do we need a supplemental in FY87? Can it fit within the $500 M supplemental you have already requested? Do we need to increase our FY88 request for $5.2 B? What are the total costs of this plan through 1995?
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- With respect to the space lift requirement, what type of boost vehicle are you planning to use for this? Cost? Are you confident you can have this available when needed?
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- If we were to press ahead, when would the President have to authorize a restructuring of the SDI program to make use of the legally correct interpretation—and what program activity would be the forcing mechanism?
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- (At conclusion of meeting) Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for the briefing. (As appropriate) We look forward to working further with you and your staff on the questions which remain.
- Source: Reagan Library, Sven Kraemer Files, December 1986 Chron File. Secret; Sensitive.↩