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

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

Washington, July 5, 1988

MEETING WITH THE NATIONAL SECURITY PLANNING GROUP

I. PURPOSE

To discuss whether the U.S. should declare the illegal Soviet Krasnoyarsk radar a material breach of the ABM Treaty.

II. BACKGROUND

The U.S. is required to join the Soviet Union in conducting a five-year review of the ABM Treaty by October 2, 1988. Since the last five-year review, the U.S. has identified the Soviet radar at Krasnoyarsk as a violation of the ABM Treaty. Some feel that the U.S. should take the opportunity of the upcoming review to declare the illegal Soviet radar a material breach of the ABM Treaty. Others feel that this step is unwarranted at this time. The purpose of this NSPG is to permit you to hear the views of your key advisors prior to deciding this issue. The proposed agenda for this meeting is at Tab A.²

III. PARTICIPANTS

List at Tab B.³

IV. PRESS PLAN

No press plan.

V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

We have provided (at Tab C) a few brief points for your consideration for use in starting the meeting. Following your remarks, we will set the stage for a discussion summarizing the current plans for the ABM Treaty Review and outlining the issue of the declaration of material breach. No decisions are required to be announced at this meeting.

Tab C

Talking Points Prepared in the National Security Council⁴

Washington, undated

POINTS TO BE MADE WHEN MEETING WITH THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING GROUP

— The ABM Treaty requires us to conduct a five-year review by October 2.

— Thanks to the hard work of your staffs, the preparations for that review are coming along quite well.

— However, one critical issue that we still face is whether, in the context of this five-year review, we should declare the illegal Soviet radar at Krasnoyarsk to be a material breach of the ABM Treaty.

— We all agree that the Krasnoyarsk radar is a serious violation of a central element of that treaty, and we have said so to the Soviets, to the Congress, and to the American public. That is not the issue.

— Today’s discussion should focus on clearly identifying:

— the U.S. objectives sought by declaring this illegal radar to be a material breach of the ABM Treaty; and

— the advantages, benefits, risks and consequences to the United States of taking such an action at this time.

1. Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institution Files, Box SR–113, NSPG 0193. Secret. Prepared by Heiser and Tobey. A stamped notation indicates Reagan saw the memorandum on July 6. Linhard, Heiser, and Tobey sent the memorandum to Powell for his signature under cover of a July 1 memorandum. (Ibid.) The document indicates that the meeting was scheduled for July 6 from 11 a.m. until 11:50 p.m. in the White House Situation Room.
2. Attached but not printed.
3. Attached but not printed.
4. Secret.