121. Telegram 46628 From the Department of State to the Mission in Geneva

Summary: The Department transmitted general guidance for the U.S. delegation to the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament, scheduled to open in Geneva on March 4.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750074–0123. Confidential. Drafted by Black; cleared by Flowerree, Robert Blake (IO), Humphrey (EUR/SOV), Norman Terrell (C), William Shinn (C), Louise McNutt (EA/RA), G. Harlow (OSD/ISA), S. Thompson (ERDA/IR), Shea, Lee Niemela (ACDA/MEA), Walker Givan (ACDA/IR), Gathright, Huberman, Elliott, and Jay Moffat (S/S); approved by David Klein (ACDA). Repeated for information to the Mission to NATO, USUN, the Mission to the IAEA in Vienna, Moscow, Canberra, and the U.S. delegation to the MBFR talks in Vienna. The 27th session of the CCD opened in Geneva on March 4 and concluded on April 10.

122. Memorandum From Jan Lodal of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Lodal updated Kissinger on the status of the TTBT/PNE talks ongoing in Moscow. He noted that the Threshold Test Ban Treaty might be ready for submission to Congress later in 1975 and suggested that Kissinger might reassess the administration’s policy concerning the TTBT.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSDMs, Box 58, NSDM 287—Instructions for the U.S. Delegation to the TTB/PNE Negotiations, 2/10/75 (2). Secret. Sent for action. Kissinger initialed the first page of the memorandum, approved the first two recommendations, and wrote “including Sonnenfeldt” next to the first recommendation.

123. Statement by the U.S. Representative to the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament (Martin)

Summary: Martin read the text of a message to the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament from President Ford and summarized the U.S. position on various arms control initiatives.

Source: Department of State Bulletin, April 7, 1975, pp. 454–458. All brackets are in the original. Martin made the statement before the opening session of the CCD.

124. Telegram 1515 From the Mission in Geneva to the Department of State

Summary: The mission provided a summary of the opening meeting of the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament’s spring session.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750077–0621. Limited Official Use; Priority. Repeated for information to Belgrade, Berlin, Bonn, Brasilia, Bucharest, Buenos Aires, The Hague, Islamabad, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lima, London, Mexico City, Moscow, New Delhi, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Prague, Rangoon, Rome, Sofia, Stockholm, Tehran, Tokyo, Warsaw, and the Mission to NATO. For Martin’s statement, see Document 123. Roshchin’s statement is printed in Documents on Disarmament, 1975, pp. 66–73.

125. Memorandum I–21040/75 From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Ellsworth) and the Director of the Joint Staff (Ginsburgh) to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger

Summary: Ellsworth noted that he had received a copy of ACDA Director Iklé’s February 18 memorandum to President Ford and commented that he was in “basic agreement” with the ACDA paper. Ellsworth recommended that Schlesinger support the ACDA proposals in the form of a letter to Kissinger.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Schlesinger Papers, Box 20, Action Memoranda, March 1975. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Joseph Landauer (OASD/ISA). The date is hand-stamped. The memorandum was coordinated with the Assistant to the Secretary (AE) and approved by General Brown on March 6. A notation at the end of the memorandum in an unknown hand reads: “Iklé’s recommendations at clip. In accord with views you expressed with Amb. Schneider. OK. W.” Tab A, a copy of Iklé’s February 18 memorandum to Ford, is Document 120. Tab B, a memorandum from Schlesinger to Kissinger, is Document 128. NSSM 202 is Document 50.

126. National Security Study Memorandum 219

Summary: President Ford directed that an ad hoc group conduct a study of issues involved in reaching agreement with the Government of Iran to allow nuclear commerce between the United States and Iran.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSSMs, Box 49, Originals—NSSM 207 to NSSM 227. Secret. A copy was sent Colby. Scowcroft signed for Kissinger above Kissinger’s typed signature. Also printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973–1976, as Document 113. The NSSM 219 working group’s report is Document 129.

127. Telegram 66020 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany

Summary: The Department transmitted a summary of ACDA Director Iklé’s March 21 meeting with West German Ambassador Von Staden concerning the pending West German-Brazilian nuclear agreement. Von Staden gave Iklé an informal note that indicated that the “best results possible” had been reached with the Government of Brazil and answered several questions posed by the Ford administration regarding the agreement.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750102–1013. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Frank Crump (ACDA); cleared by Iklé and Davies; approved by Klein. Repeated Priority for information to Paris, and also to London, Moscow, Tokyo, Ottawa, the Mission to the IAEA at Vienna, Brasilia, and the Mission in Geneva. Telegram 48844 to Bonn, March 5, is ibid., D750078–0226.

128. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Schlesinger to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Schlesinger indicated to Kissinger that he agreed with the ACDA proposals on proliferation that ACDA Director Iklé had broached with President Ford but added that he would “consider the possibility of using somewhat more forceful means of persuasion” with the Japanese and Italian Governments.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Schlesinger Papers, Box 20, Action Memoranda, March 1975. Secret; Sensitive. The date is hand-stamped. A copy was sent to ACDA. A copy of Iklé’s February 18 memorandum to Ford, Document 120, is not attached. Ellsworth and Ginsburgh’s memorandum, attached as Tab B, is Document 125.

129. Report Prepared by an Ad Hoc Interagency Working Group

Summary: The report explained that while imposing more rigorous controls over U.S. plutonium sales to Iran would be satisfactory to Congress, the Government of Iran considered the conditions discriminatory.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSSMs, Box 34, NSSM 219—U.S.-Iran Agreement on Cooperation in Civil Uses of Atomic Energy. Secret. NSSM 219, which requested this study no later than March 19, is Document 126.

130. Telegram 4245 From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State

Summary: Ambassador Stoessel reported that Soviet diplomat Korniyenko had suggested that the United States and Soviet Union indicate publicly that the PNE negotiations were “going well” and that “progress was being made toward agreement.” He noted he had informed Korniyenko that several issues remained unresolved.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750108–0753. Secret; Exdis.

131. Telegram 69772 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany

Summary: The Department transmitted a summary of the meeting among Department of State, ACDA, and FRG Embassy officials concerning the proposed FRG nuclear sale to Brazil.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750108–0018. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Nosenzo; cleared by Kelly, Boright, Kalicki, Kratzer, David Anderson (EUR/CE), Elliott, and Jay Moffat (S/S); approved by Vest. Telegram 66712 to Brasilia, March 26, is ibid., D750106–0309. For an additional report on the Ingersoll-Von Staden meeting, see Document 127.

132. Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff and the Counselor of the Department of State (Sonnenfeldt) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: In light of the 1974 summit commitments on possible international restraints on chemical weapons, Elliott and Sonnenfeldt recommended that Kissinger approve continued contact with Soviet officials concerning the draft treaty and table the U.S. convention on restricting environmental warfare at the CCD meeting.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Files of NSC Logged Documents, NSC “NS” Originals File, Box 54, 7502059, Proposed Contact With Soviets on Chemical Warfare. Secret. Sent for action. Clift initialed his concurrence. Kissinger initialed approval of both recommendations. Instructions for Martin, Tab A, are attached but not published.

133. Telegram 77350 From the Department of State to the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Summary: The Department transmitted the text of a letter to NATO Secretary-General Luns that summarized the second round of PNE negotiations in Moscow.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750118–0051. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Shea; cleared by Elliott, Molander, Kelly, Davies, Buchheim, Robert Einhorn (ACDA/IR), Edward Ifft (PM/DCA), G. Harlow (OSD), CIA, Lawrence Finch (INR), Roland Kuchel (S/S), and R. Duff (ERDA). Repeated Priority for information to the Mission in Geneva.

134. Telegram 5604 From the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy reported on a U.S.–FRG meeting to discuss safeguards on the West German sale of nuclear technology to the Government of Brazil.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750120–0399. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated for information to Brasilia and the Mission to the IAEA at Vienna. Telegram 73723 to Bonn, April 1, is ibid., D750113–0410. Telegram 69772 to Bonn is Document 131.

135. Telegram 2490 From the Mission in Geneva to the Department of State

Summary: The mission reported on the spring session of the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament, noting that the conference had served as a “forum for several significant policy statements.”

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750126–0857. Confidential. Repeated for information to Belgrade, Berlin, Bonn, Brasilia, Bucharest, Buenos Aires, The Hague, Islamabad, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lima, London, Mexico City, Moscow, New Delhi, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Prague, Rangoon, Rome, Sofia, Stockholm, Tehran, Tokyo, Warsaw, the Mission to NATO, USUN, the Mission to the IAEA at Vienna, the U.S. delegation to the MBFR talks in Vienna, ERDA, and the U.S. delegation to the SALT II talks in Geneva. For Martin’s April 10 statement on restraints on conventional arms transfers, see the Department of State Bulletin, May 26, 1975, pp. 698–702. Telegram 2472 from Geneva is dated April 10. (National Archives, RG 59, D750125–0971) For the U.S. statement at the spring session see Document 41.

136. Paper Prepared by the Verification Panel Working Group

Summary: The paper summarized U.S. international policy on peaceful nuclear explosions and strategy options in advance of the May 5 NPT Review Conference and preparatory trilateral meetings.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 9, Verification Panel (NPT), April 19, 1975 (1) (Lodal’s BK). Secret. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. Attached as Tab E to Document 137.

137. Memorandum From the Counselor of the Department of State (Sonnenfeldt) and Jan Lodal and David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: In preparation for the April 19 Verification Panel meeting, Sonnenfeldt, Lodal, and Elliott summarized for Kissinger the current issues and strategy options concerning the upcoming NPT Review Conference and trilateral preparatory talks, U.S. PNE policy, and the Nuclear Suppliers Conference.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 9, Verification Panel (NPT), April 19, 1975 (1) (Lodal’s BK). Secret; Completely Outside the System. Tabs A, B, D, and F–J are attached but not published. Tabs C and K are not attached. Tab E is Document 136. Minutes of the April 19 Verification Panel meeting on nonproliferation are Document 138.

138. Minutes of a Verification Panel Meeting

Summary: The participants discussed the U.S. commitment to the Nonproliferation Treaty and raised potential issues that could come under scrutiny at the upcoming Review Conference.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—Meetings, Box 23, Meeting Minutes, Verification Panel (Originals), April-May 1975. Top Secret; Sensitive. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. No drafting information appears on the minutes.

139. National Security Decision Memorandum 292

Summary: Kissinger informed the addressees that President Ford had reviewed the study directed by NSSM 219 and decided that the United States should follow several guidelines in negotiating an agreement with the Iranian Government on cooperation in the civil uses of atomic energy.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSDMs, Box 69, Originals—NSDM 281 to NSDM 300. Secret. A copy was sent to Colby. Also printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973–1976, as Document 115. NSSM 219 is Document 126; the study is Document 129.

140. Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Summary: Elliott reviewed the administration’s policy on future uranium enrichment within the United States, indicating that the administration faced a choice: either construct additional enrichment facilities or wait for a private company to undertake this work. He highlighted the fact that several agencies had expressed the desire to delay the decision, adding that the National Security Council Staff had attempted to move the question to President Ford for a decision.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Files of NSC Logged Documents, IF/NS File for the President, Box 20, 7502923, Future Uranium Enrichment in U.S. (NSSM 209). Confidential. Sent for action. There is no indication that Scowcroft saw the memorandum. Tab A, Lynn’s memorandum to Ford, is not attached and not found. NSSM 209 is Document 79.

141. Memorandum From the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Iklé) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: In preparation for the upcoming TTBT/PNE negotiations with Soviet officials, Iklé outlined for Kissinger two possible outcomes for agreement.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSDMs, Box 60, NSDM 297—Instructions for the U.S. Delegation to the PNE Negotiations, Moscow, 6/3/75. Secret; Exdis. There is no indication that Kissinger saw the memorandum. Copies were sent to Ingersoll, Clements, Brown, Colby, and Seamans.

142. Telegram 3239 From the Mission in Geneva to the Department of State

Summary: The mission reported on the May 5 opening plenary session of the NPT Review Conference.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750158–0406. Confidential; Priority. Repeated for information to Bonn, Brussels, Canberra, The Hague, Lagos, London, Moscow, Ottawa, Pretoria, Rome, Stockholm, Tokyo, Warsaw, USUN, the Mission to the IAEA at Vienna, and the Mission to NATO. Telegram 103269 to Geneva is dated May 2. (Ibid., D750155–0422) The NPT Review Conference opened on May 5 and concluded on May 30.

143. Statement by the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Iklé)

Summary: Iklé, the U.S. Representative to the NPT Review Conference, read the text of President Ford’s message to the NPT Review Conference delegates and underscored the importance of the Nonproliferation Treaty.

Source: Department of State Bulletin, June 30, 1975, pp. 921–924. All brackets are in the original. The text of Iklé’s statement is taken from ACDA Press Release 75–16, May 6. The final declaration of the conference, adopted by consensus on May 30, is in the Department of State Bulletin, pp. 924–929.

144. Telegram 3427 From the Mission in Geneva to the Department of State

Summary: The mission transmitted an analysis of the first week of the NPT Review Conference.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750167–1079. Confidential. Repeated for information to Bonn, Brussels, The Hague, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Ottawa, Rome, Tokyo, USUN, the Mission to NATO, and the Mission to the IAEA in Vienna. The Romanian and Mexican initiatives are in telegrams 3407 and 3408 from Geneva, May 10. (Ibid., D750165–0315 and D750165–0389) The tripartite draft declaration is in telegram 3196 from Geneva, May 5. (Ibid., D750156–1022) The Mexican draft resolution is in telegram 3426 from Geneva, May 12. (Ibid., D750165–1045) Telegram 4095 from Geneva, June 2, transmitted the delegation’s final summary of the conference. (Ibid., D750191–1002)

145. Memorandum From David Elliott and Jan Lodal of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Elliott and Lodal recommended that in advance of the next session of the Nuclear Suppliers Conference, Kissinger distribute a discussion paper on safeguards and export controls prepared by the Verification Panel Working Group to the other participants.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 32, Nuclear Suppliers Conference, Briefing Book, April 1975 Follow-up. Confidential. Sent for action. A handwritten notation on the approval line reads: “RCM for HAK re HAKTO 2.” Tab A is Document 146. Tab B, an undated U.S. aide-mémoire on suggested export controls, is attached but not published.

146. Discussion Paper Prepared by the Verification Panel Working Group

Summary: The Verification Panel Working Group reviewed possible provisions for safeguards and controls related to the transfer of materials to non-nuclear weapons states for peaceful purposes and drafted the paper for distribution to the other participants before the next session of the Nuclear Suppliers Conference.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Program Analysis Staff Files, Convenience Files, Box 32, Nuclear Suppliers Conference, Briefing Book, April 1975 Follow-up. Confidential. Attached as Tab A to Document 145. All brackets are in the original except “[components]”, added for clarity.

147. Editorial Note

148. Telegram 133038 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union

Summary: The Department reported that Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Armitage had met with Soviet Minister Counselor Vorontsov to inform him that the Soviet response to a U.S. note verbale did not offer “adequate reassurance” regarding compliance with the Limited Test Ban Treaty.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750199–1025. Secret. Drafted by Ben Zook (EUR/SOV); cleared by Ramee, Kelley, Frank Ortiz (S/S), David Palmer (INR), and in draft by McNeill; approved by Armitage. Repeated for information to the Mission to the IAEA at Vienna and London. For the January U.S. note verbale, see Document 113. The Soviet reply was summarized in telegram 58320 to Moscow, March 15. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750090–0805)

149. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford

Summary: Kissinger requested that President Ford authorize instructions for the U.S. delegation to the PNE negotiations in Moscow that had been prepared based on the current status of the negotiations and the Verification Panel Working Group studies.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSDMs, Box 60, NSDM 297, Instructions for the U.S. Delegation to the PNE Negotiations, Moscow, 6/3/75. Secret. Kissinger approved the recommendation for Ford. Tab 1, instructions to the delegation (NSDM 297), is Document 150. Tab 2, a note for Dobrynin, and Tab 3, a briefing paper, are attached but not published.

150. National Security Decision Memorandum 297

Summary: President Ford approved instructions for the U.S. delegation to the next round of the PNE negotiations in Moscow.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files—NSDMs, Box 60, NSDM 297, Instructions for the U.S. Delegation to the PNE Negotiations, Moscow, 6/3/75. Secret. Copies were sent to Brown and Colby. NSDM 287 is Document 118. The Department transmitted the instructions in telegram 138355 to Moscow, June 13. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750206–0088) The third round of negotiations opened on June 3 and concluded on July 28. Summaries of the sessions are in telegrams 9830, July 14, and 10549, July 28, both from Moscow. (Ibid., D750242–1198 and D750259–1107)