Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XV, Germany and Berlin

286. Letter From President Johnson to Chancellor Kiesinger¹

Washington, September 9, 1968.

Dear Mr. Chancellor:

This letter is to confirm our understanding concerning consultation between our two governments on the use of nuclear weapons.

With respect to the general release of nuclear weapons, the United States believes that in the interest of maintaining the full effectiveness of the nuclear deterrent, no special arrangements going beyond the provisions of the Athens Guidelines on consultation² are desirable.

With respect to the selective release of nuclear weapons by the US for use in Germany or by forces of the Federal Republic, I can confirm to you the following undertakings:

1. In order to enable the Government of the FRG to make its views known to the US Government before selective release of nuclear weapons for use from or on the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Soviet Occupied Zone of Germany, the President of the United States and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany will consult directly with each other prior to such release.

2. The President of the United States will not make selective release of nuclear weapons for use by German armed forces if the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany objects to such release.

The United States Government regards the above undertakings as being in amplification and support of the Athens Guidelines on consultation.

It is my understanding that to avoid any possible impairment of the nuclear deterrent, knowledge of these undertakings will be limited to our two governments and that they will not be made public. Should any public statements regarding the subject matter of this letter be necessary, such statements will be the subject of prior agreement between our governments.³

Sincerely,

Lyndon B. Johnson

1. Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 71 D 370, Germany. Top Secret; Sensitive. A typed note on the source text reads: “Signed original picked up by Captain Hanks DOD/ISA for transmittal 9/9/68.”
2. For text of the May 6, 1962, NATO communiqué, released at Athens, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1962, pp. 541–543.
3. In his September 17 reply, Chancellor Kiesinger stated that the German Government was in accord with the understanding outlined in the President’s letter. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to President, Walt Rostow, vol. 96)