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

19. Memorandum From John Douglass of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)¹

Washington, January 28, 1985

SUBJECT

• Update of NSDD–91, Strategic Forces Modernization

Enclosed at Tab A² is a draft update to NSDD–91.³ The draft has been circulated among the professional staff of the defense group, but not outside the NSC. The Annex at Tab C⁴ contains Special Access guidance on our Low Observable Programs. Our modernization plans have changed significantly in the almost two years since NSDD–91 was signed (Tab B).⁵ This new NSDD brings the President’s direction up to date with the many events in the strategic arena which have occurred during the past two years in all five parts of the President’s modernization program.

Publication of a new Strategic Modernization Program NSDD in the near future would serve several useful proposes. It would demonstrate the President’s continuing support for modernization, lay a programmatic foundation for Geneva, and continue to emphasize to DOD and the Services that those programs must be protected in the continuing debate with Congress on resources.

If you concur, I will privately brief the appropriate people in DOD and the Services on its contents prior to our sending it over for formal coordination.

R. Lehman, B. Linhard, B. Wright, B. Wood, J. Grimes, S. Kraemer, M. Donley and D. Mahley concur.

RECOMMENDATION

That we let key officials at DOD read the draft NSDD unofficially on a very close-hold basis, then prepare a final draft for your review and official coordination with DOD.⁶

1. Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–090, NSDD 178. Secret. Sent for action. Douglass submitted the memorandum and attachments along with a January 29 note to Poindexter: “I have sent this package to you because of the Special Access Annex at Tab C. If you wish to circulate this package other than to Bud, remove the Annex at Tab C.” (Ibid.)
2. Attached but not printed is an undated draft National Security Decision Directive, “Strategic Forces Modernization.”
3. NSDD–91, “Strategic Forces Modernization Program Changes,” is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XLIII, National Security Policy, 1981–1984.
4. Attached but not printed is an undated draft NSDD annex.
5. Attached but not printed is a copy of NSDD–91.
6. McFarlane approved the recommendation.