Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XIII, Western Europe and Canada

409. Memorandum From President Kennedy to Prime Minister Macmillan⁰

Nassau, December 21, 1962.

1. The United States Government proposes to offer to the French Government the opportunity to participate in the multilateral nuclear force envisaged by the Nassau agreement on terms similar to those agreed with the United Kingdom. However, we do not consider that the agreement on the part of the United States and the United Kingdom to support the development and establishment of such a multilateral force is conditional on participation by France.

2. It is also our view that participation in the proposed multilateral force should be available to non-nuclear member nations of NATO through the contribution of personnel and resources for the operation of nuclear vessels, including submarines, manned by units of mixed nationality. I propose that an early invitation be extended to such countries to participate in the discussion and developments of such units.

3. It is agreed that the Polaris missiles and associated equipment to be made available by the United States to the United Kingdom Government under the provisions of Article 8 of the agreement¹ will consist of equipment for fire control, launching, guidance, and navigation.

John F. Kennedy²

0. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 65 D 533, CF 2212. No classification marking.
1. Paragraph 8 of the Statement on Nuclear Defense Systems.
2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.