369. Editorial Note
The Committee of Principals considered the “bombs in orbit” proposal on October 8, 1963. The memorandum of the meeting indicates that the United States had introduced the term “weapons of mass destruction” in preference to “nuclear weapons” because there was concern, apparently in the Department of Defense, to leave the way open for orbiting nuclear anti-satellite systems, even though Rusk pointed out and the JCS acknowledged that putting some nuclear weapons in orbit would involve withdrawing from the arrangement. According to the memorandum, Nitze stated that while no one had a clear idea “of why we needed to leave the interpretation open,” the main concern was weapons of mass destruction and “there seemed to be no reason to tie our hands on other weapons.” Rusk “said that the term ‘weapons of mass destruction’ would be generally understood to include all nuclear weapons. If we were asked whether this were the case and if we said anything but ‘yes,’ we had better not go into the arrangement at all.” The JCS representative then agreed with this position. On this point, a memorandum of the meeting’s conclusion reads: “‘Weapons of mass destruction’ would have to be interpreted as including all nuclear weapons. The U.S. could accept specific reference to nuclear weapons should the Soviet Union prefer that approach.”
[Page 893]At the meeting, Under Secretary Ball reported that President Kennedy thought that the agreement should not take the form of an executive agreement and that a General Assembly resolution “would avoid Congressional problems.” It was then agreed that the United States would make an accompanying statement which would take the place of any withdrawal clause such as would appear in a more formal agreement. (Memorandum of meeting and memorandum of conclusions, both October 8 and both drafted by W.E. Cathright of ACDA/IR; Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Departments and Agencies Series, ACDA, Disarmament, Committee of Principals) Both are in the Supplement. A packet of materials embodying these recommendations was subsequently forwarded to the White House. (Memorandum with attachments from Foster to Rusk, October 9; Department of State, Central Files, DEF 18) Regarding decisions reached by Kennedy and Gromyko at a meeting held on October 10, see the source note, Document 370.
For text of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 1884 (XVIII), “Stationing Weapons of Mass Destruction in Outer Space,” adopted by acclamation on October 17, see Documents on Disarmament, 1963, page 538. Ambassador Stevenson’s accompanying statement dated October 16 is ibid., pages 535-537. See also Document 371.