Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Commitee; Seabed Arms Control Treaty
93. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to President Nixon
Laird indicated that the Defense Department did not favor a seabeds treaty; however, it suggested language for a treaty should the President decide to move ahead on it. The memorandum cautioned the President to take a “restrained and conservative” approach.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 382, Subject Files, Seabeds Vol. II. Secret.
94. Memorandum of Conversation Between the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith) and Secretary of State Rogers
Smith and Rogers discussed the problems associated with Laird’s position concerning the proposed seabed treaty, specifically the potential future problems associated with Congressional approval of the agreement.
Source: Washington National Records Center, Office of the Director, Chronological/Working Files of G. Smith and P. Farley: FRC 383–97–10, January 1962–April 1977, Smith Correspondence with Secretary of State Rogers concerning SALT, NPT and the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee (ENDC), February 1969–May 1970. Secret; Exdis.
95. Memorandum From Spurgeon Keeny of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Sonnenfeldt forwarded Laird’s May 1 memorandum to Kissinger and recommended that the President authorize presentation of a draft seabeds treaty at the ENDC incorporating the language proposed by Laird.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 382, Subject Files, Seabeds Vol. II. Secret; Noforn. Cleared in substance by Halperin. Tab A, the attached memorandum for the President, was not signed and forwarded by Kissinger and is not published.
96. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Packard)
Kissinger told Packard the President would probably go ahead with the treaty if Smith put into the draft the changes that DOD wanted.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 359, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–14 May 1969. No classification marking.
97. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Secretary of Defense Laird
Kissinger and Laird discussed the next steps in the “Seabed matter.”
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 359, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–14 May 1969. No classification marking.
98. Memorandum for the File Prepared by the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith)
Smith reported on a meeting with Rogers on the seabed arms control treaty.
Source: Washington National Records Center, Office of the Director, Chronological/Working Files of G. Smith and P. Farley, January 1962–April 1977: FRC 383–97–10, ACDA–Telephone Conversations Between Ambassador G. Smith and U.S. Government Officials, February–October 1969. No classification marking.
99. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Secretary of Defense Laird
Laird indicated he was having problems with Director of Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Smith. Smith had seen a letter written by Laird to the President and was upset about the first sentence noting Laird’s opposition to the treaty.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 359, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–14 May 1969. No classification marking.
100. Memorandum for the File Prepared by the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith)
Smith summarized his conversations with Kissinger regarding Laird’s letter.
Source: Washington National Records Center, Office of the Director, Chronological/Working Files of G. Smith and P. Farley, January 1962–April 1977, ACDA-Telephone conversations Between Ambassador G. Smith and U.S. Government Officials, February–October 1969: FRC 383–97–10. Secret; Nodis; Absolutely No Distribution.
101. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith)
Kissinger responded to Smith’s concerns over Laird’s letter to the President.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 359, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–14 May 1969. No classification marking.
102. Memorandum From the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Smith informed Kissinger of steps taken toward a possible seabed arms control treaty and asked for authorization to start North Atlantic Council and Congressional consultations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 197, Agency Files, ACDA, 1/20/69–12/31/69. Confidential. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that it was received at the White House Situation Room on May 10 at 3:19 p.m. The attachments are not published. In the last paragraph the words “the State Operations Center” are crossed out and “S/S” substituted.
103. Telegram 75159 From the Department of State to the Mission in Geneva
The Department transmitted instructions for consultations concerning the proposed U.S. draft for the seabed arms control treaty. It includes a commentary on each of the articles in the treaty.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, POL 33–6. Confidential; Immediate. It was also sent immediate to USNATO, Tokyo, and all NATO capitals. It was repeated immediate to Moscow and USUN. Drafted by Durkee and NEIDLE (ACDA/IR); cleared in EUR, L, J/PM, J, EA, IO, AEC, OSD/ISA, JCS/SAAC, and the White House; and approved by Smith.
104. Telegram 80903 From the Department of State to the Mission in Geneva
The telegram transmitted instructions to table the U.S draft of the seabeds treaty to offset focus on the Soviet proposal, but to submit it without Articles VII and VIII. These articles were deleted to appease German concerns articulated at the May 19 North Atlantic Council meeting.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, POL 33–6. Confidential; Immediate. It was repeated to immediate Bonn, USNATO, and USUN. Drafted by Malin (ACDA/IR); cleared in substance by Hillenbrand (EUR) and McIntyre (IO/UNP); and approved by Kranich (ACDA/IR).
105. Draft Treaty Submitted to the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee
The text of draft treaty, titled “United States Proposal Submitted to the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee: Draft Treaty Prohibiting the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and Ocean Floor,” recognized national and global interest in restricting nuclear testing on the ocean floor and proposed six provisions articulating specific limitations.
Source: Documents on Disarmament, 1969, pp. 211–213. No classification marking.
106. Memorandum From the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith) to Secretary of State Rogers
Smith assessed the spring session of the ENDC and discussed plans for the summer session. The spring session made headway toward a suitable seabed arms control agreement. Smith requested to lead the summer delegation as well as he predicted an emphasis on biological and chemical warfare.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 319, Subject Files, Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Conference (ENDC). Confidential. The memorandum bears Smith’s typed signature.
107. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger forwarded, for Nixon’s approval, a message from the President to the ENDC to be read at the opening of the summer session.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 319, Subject Files, Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Conference (ENDC). Confidential; Limdis. Sent for action. Kissinger initialed “Approve” for the President. The attached message is not published.
108. Telegram 2978 From the Mission in Geneva to the Department of State
The Soviet Representative and Co-Chair of the ENDC, Alexey Roshchin, discussed with U.S. Representative and Co-Chair, James Leonard, a counterproposal to the United States May 22 draft seabed arms control treaty. In this discussion, the two men examined the differences between the articles proposed in the Soviet and U.S. drafts and analyzed the language of the Soviet counterproposal.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, POL 33–6. Secret; Limdis; Immediate. It was repeated to Moscow, USUN, and USNATO.
109. Letter From the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith) to Secretary of State Rogers
Smith articulated his thoughts on the new Soviet draft treaty to Rogers, noting that the Soviets embraced the U.S. emphasis on denuclearization over demilitarization and that the Soviet draft was indicative of the new “era of negotiation” the Nixon administration was working to cultivate. Smith then conducted a thorough, comparative analysis of the U.S. and Soviet proposals.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, General Files on NSC Matters, Box 9, NSC Miscellaneous-Seabed. Secret. “Secretary Saw,” is written on page one. Tab B is Document 93.
110. Memorandum From the Acting Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Farley) to Secretary of State Rogers
Farley informed Rogers about the difficulties that State and ACDA officials were having in their negotiations with DOD and JCS officials on how to respond to the Soviets’ August 19 proposal on seabed arms control.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, General Files on NSC Matters, Box 9, NSC Miscellaneous-Seabed. Secret.
111. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith)
Kissinger and Smith discussed the problems associated with Article II of the proposed seabeds treaty. In previous meetings, the Soviets had agreed to apply the treaty outside of the 12 mile coastal zone. The Department of Defense, however, “refused to budge” on the zone extending outside three miles. Kissinger and Smith examined the issues associated with each side.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 360, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–18 September 1969. No classification marking.
112. Talking Points Prepared for Secretary of State Rogers by the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith)
Smith stressed the urgency of responding to the Soviet proposed treaty. He encouraged Rogers to authorize Ambassadors Leonard and Ellsworth to negotiate with the Soviets and to accept the 12–mile zone.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 381 Subject Files, Seabeds Vol. I, May 1970. Secret. Smith forwarded the talking points to Rogers under cover of September 3 memoranda and sent a copy of the talking points to Kissinger the same day. (Ibid.)
113. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Secretary of Defense Laird
Laird withdrew his objections to the 12 mile line providing there was some kind of provision preserving issues of accessibility.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 360, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–18 September 1969. No classification marking.
114. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Secretary of State Rogers
Kissinger and Rogers discussed the 3 versus 12–mile issue.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 360, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–18 September 1969. No classification marking.
115. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Smith)
Kissinger informed Smith that the President had agreed to go ahead with the 12–mile limit if a proviso was included for arms control purposes.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 360, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–18 September 1969. No classification marking.
116. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Nutter) to Secretary of Defense Laird
Nutter briefed Laird on the new U.S. draft treaty in light of JCS concerns. The JCS maintained the position that the treaty should not blanket weapons of mass destruction, but cover only “fixed weapons installation” and that the inspection provision be modified to prevent an implication of access. Nutter then attached a memorandum for Wheeler analyzing these issues.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–75–89, 801.2 (June– 1969). Secret. The attached memorandum to Wheeler, was signed by Deputy Secretary of Defense Packard not Laird. Tabs A–D are not published.
117. Telegram 154164 From the Department of State to the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The telegram transmitted the text of the new U.S. draft seabeds treaty, applying the 12 mile zone and articulating specific conditions for inspection.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, POL 33–5 Secret; Immediate; Limdis. It was also sent immediate to all NATO capitals and USMission Geneva. It was repeated to Canberra, Moscow, Tokyo, and USUN. Drafted by Hancock (ACDA/GC); cleared by Gleysteen (ACDA/IR) and in draft by Packard (DOD/OSD), Labowitz (AEC), Stevenson (L), Hillenbrand (EUR), Greene (IO), and Shaw (J/PM); and approved by Smith.
118. Telegram 154165 From the Department of State to the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The telegram instructed USNATO to circulate the new draft treaty to other delegations. To expedite consideration of the draft by NATO Governments. Embassies at NATO capitals were instructed to convey the draft together with explanatory points provided in the telegram.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, POL 33–5. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Also sent immediate to all NATO capitals and USMission Geneva. It was repeated to Canberra, Moscow, Tokyo, and USUN. Drafted by Gleysteen and Malin (ACDA/IR); cleared in draft by Packard (DOD/OSD), Labowitz (AEC), Hancock (ACDA/GC), Stevenson (L), Hillenbrand (EUR), Greene (IO), and Shaw (J/PM); and approved by Smith.
119. Telegram 4138 From the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Department of State
The telegram reported North Atlantic Council approval to proceed with discussion of the draft U.S. treaty with the Soviet Co-Chairman. It then provided a detailed summary of the comments made by each permanent representative.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, POL 33–6. Secret; Limdis. It was repeated to all NATO capitals, Canberra, Moscow, Tokyo, USMission Geneva, and USUN.
120. Telegram 3307 From the Mission in Geneva to the Department of State
The telegram reported Soviet Representative Roshchin’s questions and comments upon receiving copy of the new U.S. draft.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–1969, POL 33–5. Confidential; Immediate; Limdis. It was repeated to Moscow, USNATO and USUN.
121. Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Farley) to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Nutter)
Farley discussed the issue of coastal waters raised by the Soviets and outlined five alternative courses of action.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–72–6309, 388.3 (August–September 1969). Secret. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates Nutter saw it.
122. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to Secretary of Defense Laird
Wheeler indicated that, of the five alternatives introduced by Farley in his September 24 memorandum, the Chiefs agreed alternative two—removing reference to “historic waters”—was the least detrimental to U.S. security.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–72–6309, 388.3 (August–September 1969). Secret. Printed from a copy that indicates Wheeler signed the original.