Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973–1976

189. National Security Study Memorandum 232¹

Washington, October 17, 1975.

TO

• The Secretary of Defense
• The Deputy Secretary of State

SUBJECT

• U.S. Policy Toward Svalbard (Spitzbergen)

The President has directed that a comprehensive review be undertaken of U.S. policy toward the Norwegian Arctic dependency known as Svalbard. The study should examine U.S. strategic, economic and political interests (including the weight and importance of those interests), legal questions posed by Norway’s boundary claims relevant to our interests in the archipelago and our positions in the law of the sea negotiations, and the attitudes of our Allies who have rights under the 1920 Spitzbergen Treaty. The study should provide recommendations for U.S. policy toward Svalbard, taking into account U.S., Soviet, Norwegian and Allied interests in the area.

The President has directed that the study be undertaken by the NSC Under Secretaries Committee. The study should be forwarded no later than December 1, 1975 for consideration by the Senior Review Group.

Henry A. Kissinger

1. Summary: The President directed a comprehensive review of U.S. policy toward Svalbard.

   Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 39, NSSM 232—U.S. Policy Toward Svalbard (Spitzbergen). Secret. Copies were sent to the Chairman of the JCS, the DCI, and the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee.