215. Memorandum From Secretary of State Herter to President Eisenhower0
Washington, April 27,
1959.
SUBJECT
- Disarmament Policy Review
Our current disarmament policy was formulated in 1957, and it is now urgent
that a further study be undertaken to review and make recommendations
regarding United States disarmament policy. Terms of reference for the
proposed study, which have the concurrence of the Department of Defense, are
enclosed. These terms of reference are consistent with current national
security policy, pertinent provisions of which are also enclosed.1
The Departments of State and Defense agree that this study should be
undertaken jointly by the two Departments. Because of the wide
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range of interests involved and
the need for clear and undivided lines of responsibility, however, I would
recommend that the study be conducted by an individual named by me who
enjoys your complete confidence, on the analogy of the study of base rights
conducted by Frank Nash. The full support and assistance of appropriate
departments and agencies, including primarily the Departments of State and
Defense, should be provided, including assignment of qualified officers to
aid in the study.
If you approve this recommendation I would be glad to have an opportunity to
discuss with you the question of persons who might be called upon to conduct
such a study.
Enclosure 1
3
DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR DISARMAMENT POLICY REVIEW
An urgent study should be undertaken jointly by the Departments of State
and Defense to review and make recommendations regarding United States
disarmament policy.
The basic question to be considered is whether there are comprehensive or
partial measures of arms control and reduction which would contribute to
the achievement of our national security objectives.
In considering this question, existing detailed United States disarmament
policy and positions should be reviewed. These positions were last
systematically formulated in 1957 and only relatively minor
modifications have been made since that time. The last proposals for
comprehensive disarmament were advanced by the United States in
1955.
In reviewing existing policy and making recommendations, such questions
as the following should be considered:
- 1.
- The extent to which measures of arms control and reduction
might contribute to our national security objectives.
- 2.
- The extent to which vigorous and imaginative efforts to
achieve arms control and reduction would be to the advantage of
the United States from the point of view of gaining the support
of our allies and the peoples and governments of uncommitted
areas of the world.
- 3.
- The nature of a comprehensive arms reduction arrangement which
might be in the interest of the United States and the
possibilities (including the technical feasibility) of achieving
such a comprehensive arrangement through single or multiphased
agreements.
- 4.
- The nature of limited or partial arms control or reduction
measures (including regional measures) which might be in the
interest of the United States, the timing and technical
feasibility of such measures, and their inter-relationship with
each other with a comprehensive arrangement.
- 5.
- The relationship of disarmament agreements to settlement of
outstanding political issues and to the development of
collective security arrangements.
- 6.
- Technical and organizational requirements for enforcement,
with particular attention to the role of the United Nations and
of appropriate UN organs in
enforcement of disarmament agreements (particularly agreements
involving radical reduction of national military
establishments).
Conclusions and recommendations should be submitted by January 1,
1960.
Negotiations are currently under way with regard to nuclear test
suspension, and discussion of aspects of disarmament may be anticipated
in the near future in a Foreign Ministers’ meeting and a possible
subsequent Summit meeting or in competent organs of the United Nations.
Advice or special reports on matters of immediate urgency may
accordingly have to be requested. In particular, in view of the
possibility of resumption of surprise attack discussions recessed in
Geneva last December, priority attention should be given, within the
framework of the general study, to consideration of various types of
international agreements consistent with United States security
interests which might reduce the danger of surprise attack or
unintentional war.
The full support and assistance of appropriate departments and agencies
will be provided, including assignment of qualified officers to aid in
this study. All necessary data, including military and technical data,
pertinent to the study will be made available.
