Conferences on Nuclear and World Disarmament and Soviet UN Initative on Non-Use of Force
316. Telegram 54503 From the Department of State to the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
In this telegram, Secretary of State Rogers examined those sections of Secretary Brezhnev’s March 30 address to the 24 Congress of the CPSU which dealt with disarmament. Rogers noted that Brezhnev revived the idea of holding a five-power nuclear disarmament conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF–18. Secret. It was repeated to all NATO Capitals and USDel SALT IV. Drafted on March 31 by Baroz (INR/RSE); cleared in EUR/RPM, PM, and ACDA; and approved by McGuire (EUR/RPM).
317. Telegram 2686 From the Mission in Geneva to the Department of State
The telegram reported that the Soviet proposal for a five-power nuclear disarmament conference was a topic of considerable corridor discussion at the CCD.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF–18. Confidential. It was repeated to London, Moscow, Paris, Hong Kong, USUN, and USNATO.
318. Memorandum of Conversation
At a meeting with Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Kissinger, Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin presented the Soviet proposal for a conference of the five nuclear powers on disarmament.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 491, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger 1971, Vol. 6, Pt. 1. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the Map Room at the White House. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicated the President saw it. Kissinger forwarded the memorandum to Nixon under cover of a June 21 memorandum. (Ibid.)
319. Conversation Between President Nixon and his Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Nixon and Kissinger discussed the President’s upcoming meeting that afternoon with Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin regarding the Soviet proposal for a five-power conference on nuclear disarmament.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation No. 520–8. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portion of the tape recording published here specifically for this volume.
320. Conversation Between President Nixon and his Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Kissinger informed Nixon that Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin wanted to hand Nixon a Soviet note proposing a meeting of the five nuclear powers on disarmament.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation No. 519–15. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portion of the tape recording published here specifically for this volume.
321. Memorandum for the President’s Files
The memorandum provides a record of President Nixon’s conversation with Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin regarding the Soviet proposal for a five-power conference on nuclear disarmament. Attached is a copy of the Soviet note.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 491, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger 1971, Vol. 6, Pt. 1. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the Oval Office at 2:30 p.m.
322. Conversation Between President Nixon, the Soviet Ambassador (Dobrynin), and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Nixon and Dobrynin engaged in a detailed discussion of the Soviet proposal for a five-power conference on nuclear disarmament. Specifically, the conversation focused on the scope of the conference, the level of preparation involved, and the level of participants required for success.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation No. 521–5. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portion of the tape recording published here specifically for this volume.
323. Transcript 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 briefly discussed Ambassador Dobrynin’s visit to the President the day before and the Soviet proposal for five-power conference on nuclear disarmament.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 368, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 14–18 June 1971. No classification marking.
324. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Sonnenfeldt forwarded, with his commentary, a memorandum for the President from ACDA Director Smith on the Soviet proposal for a five-per nuclear conference. Smith concluded the proposal was worth serious consideration and wanted a more thorough analysis before making any commitment. Sonnenfeldt attached a draft memorandum and a draft NSSM on the issue for Kissinger to forward to the President.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 491, President’s Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger 1971, Vol. 6 (Pt. 1) Soviet Ambassador to the United States. Secret. Sent for action. Sent through Haig. A note at the end of the memorandum indicates that Wayne Smith concurred. Kissinger wrote the following on the top of the first page: “See my redo of NSSM-Issue (after conv. with Eliot) [illegible] waiting for [comeback?].” Kissinger’s memorandum to the President and the revised NSSM are Documents 325 and 326.
325. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger forwarded Gerard Smith’s June 16 memorandum and briefed the President on the pros and cons of the Soviet proposal for a five-power conference on nuclear disarmament.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–186, NSSM 132. Secret. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicated the President saw it. At Tab A is the attachment to Document 324.
326. National Security Study Memorandum 132 (Revised)
The President directed that a preliminary analysis be made of the issues involved in a five-power conference as proposed by the Soviets and provided guidelines regarding the U.S. position on the conference to be used in diplomatic contacts and press statements.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs (104–206). Secret. A copy was sent to Helms and Moorer.
327. Telegram 119361 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
The telegram transmitted guidance on the position the U.S. intended to take concerning the Soviet proposed five-power nuclear disarmament conference, to be used in consultations with the UK and French embassies. The U.S. was cautiously optimistic, but intended to investigate into Soviet motivations before making any substantial response.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF 18–3. Secret. Also sent to Paris. It was repeated to Moscow, USMission Geneva, Hong Kong, and USNATO. Drafted by Spiers (PM), Shaw (PM/DCA) and Goodby (EUR/RPM); cleared by Hillenbrand (EUR), Garthoff (PM), Brown (EA), McGuire (EUR/RPM), Farley (ACDA), and Sonnenfeldt (White House); and approved by Richardson.
328. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger briefed the President on his discussion with Chou En-Lai regarding the Soviet proposal for a five-power nuclear disarmament conference.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1032, Files for the President, China Materials, Polo I Record, HAK Visit to PRC. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only.
329. Study Prepared by Ad Hoc Interagency Group
Prepared in response to NSSM 132, the study examined background information, the national positions, advantages and disadvantages, possible topics for discussion, and six alternative approaches to the Soviet proposal for a five-power nuclear disarmament conference.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–11, Verification Panel Meeting 7/30/72, Soviet Proposal for 5-Power Nuclear Conference. Secret.
330. Analytical Summary Prepared by the National Security Council Staff
This analytical summary of the study done in response to NSSM 132 was prepared in anticipation of the Verification Panel meeting on July 30.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–11, Verification Panel Meeting 7/30/72, Soviet Proposal for a 5-Power Nuclear Conference. Secret.
331. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Sonnenfeldt briefed Kissinger for an upcoming Verification Panel meeting on the Soviet proposal for a five-power nuclear conference. The NSSM study is Document 329.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–11, Verification Panel Meeting 7/30/72, Soviet Proposal for a 5-Power Nuclear Conference. Secret.
332. Minutes of Verification Panel Meeting
The meeting decided it was premature to discuss an agenda for the proposed five-power nuclear conference and agreed, if the allies responded favorably to U.S. soundings, to make a verbal reply indicating consideration of the Soviet proposal.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–107, Meeting Minutes, Verification Panel Minutes, 1969 to 3–8–72. Secret. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. Later that afternoon Kissinger told the President: “We’ve decided not to answer that [the Soviet proposal]…just let it drop.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation No. 267–22)
333. Telegram 139501 From the Department of State to the Mission in Geneva
The telegram transmitted a statement by the People’s Republic of China that it would not participate in the five-power conference proposed by the Soviets.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF 18–3. Confidential; Exdis. It was repeated to USNATO, London, Moscow, Paris, Tokyo, Canberra, Wellington, and Hong Kong. Drafted and approved by Martin (PM/DCA); and cleared by Farley (ACDA).
334. Telegram 141330 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union
The U.S. Government responded to the Soviet proposal for a five-power nuclear disarmament conference. This response noted that, even though the Chinese refused to take part in the proposed conference, the U.S. Government considered the proposal worthy of continued interest.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 716, Country Files, Europe, USSR Vol. XV. Secret; Priority. It was repeated to all NATO capitals, Canberra, Wellington, Tokyo, Hong Kong, USMission Geneva, and U.S. Delegation to SALT. Drafted by Spiers (PM); cleared by Brown of EA, Farley (ACDA), Sonnenfeldt (White House), and Richardson; and approved by Hillenbrand.
335. Message for the Government of the People’s Republic of China
The President called the PRC’s attention to the U.S. Government’s message to the Soviet Government transmitted in Telegram 14133 to Moscow (Document 334).
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, Files for the President, China, Lord-China, China Exchanges July–Oct 20, 1971. No classification marking. The message was transmitted by Haig to Major General Vernon Walters, Senior Military Attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Paris, under cover of an August 5 letter instructing Walters to hand the message to the PRC ambassador. (Ibid.)
336. Telegram 166298 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations
The telegram reported on the Soviet UN initiative to expand their proposed five power conference to encompass multiple nations in a World Disarmament Conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF 18–3. Limited Official Use. Also sent to Geneva. It was repeated to Canberra, Moscow, New Delhi, Wellington, Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, U.S. Delegation to SALT, and all NATO capitals. Drafted by Shinn (ACDA/IR); cleared in ACDA/D, ACDA/IR, PM/DCA (draft), IO/UNP (draft), EUR/SOV (draft), EUR/RPM (draft), and EA/ACA(draft); and approved by DE PALMA (IO). For a copy of Gromyko’s September 6 letter, see Documents on Disarmament, 1971, pp. 544–545.
337. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Sonnenfeldt briefed Kissinger on the Soviet UN Resolution on a World Disarmament Conference, noting that Under Secretary Irwin authorized the U.S. delegate to the UN to work with the Soviet UN delegation. He then attached a memorandum from Gerard Smith supporting the collaboration.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 302, Agency Files, U.S.U.N., Oct–Nov 1971, Vol. VIII, Pt. 4. Confidential. Sent for action. Sent through Haig. The attached draft resolution with amendments is not published. In the left hand margin of page one, Kissinger wrote, “Don’t want to minimize-wish to include,” and indicated that the phrase, “special responsibility,” in paragraph two, “should be deleted.” None of the options on page 2 is checked. An attached routing slip indicates that Sonnenfeldt “handled by phone,” and a handwritten note at the bottom of page one, initialed by Sonnenfeldt, states, “Leonard informed Nov. 1,” presumably a reference to James F. Leonard of ACDA.
338. Telegram 199601 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations
The telegram provided instructions to the U.S. delegation to the UN recommending that delegates investigate Soviet reaction to amending the Soviet draft resolution on a world disarmament conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF 18–3. Confidential; Immediate. It was repeated to USMission Geneva, USNATO, Bonn, London, Moscow, Ottawa, Paris, Rome, The Hague, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Drafted by McCormack (ACDA/IR) and McIntyre and Armitage (IO/UNP); cleared by Leonard (ACDA/IR) and Garthoff (PM) and in substance in EUR/SOV (substance), EA/ACA (substance), and OSD/ISA (substance); and approved by De Palma of IO.
339. Telegram 226160 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations
The telegram provided instructions to the U.S. delegation to the UN to vote affirmatively to the Soviet draft resolution for a world disarmament conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF 18–3. Confidential; Immediate. It was repeated to Bonn, Moscow, USMission Geneva, U.S. Delegation to SALT, and USNATO. Drafted by Neidle (IO/UNP); cleared by Day (ACDA), McNutt (LM/DMS), Armitage and McIntyre (UNP), Martin (PM), and Skoug (EUR/GER); and approved by Herz (IO).
340. General Assembly Resolution 2833 (XXVI)
The text of the Resolution on World Disarmament Conference.
Source: Documents on Disarmament, 1971, pp. 909–910. No classification marking.
341. Telegram 171873 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations
The telegram transmitted a Soviet verbal statement urging U.S. support for the Soviet proposal for a UN resolution rejecting of the use of force in international relations and forever prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF 18–6. Limited Official Use. Also sent to Moscow. Drafted by McIntyre (IO/UNP); cleared by Kadilis (EUR/SOV); and approved by Armitage (UNP).
342. Telegram 172239 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations
The telegram reported on Soviet Minister Counselor Vorontsov’s discussion with Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs De Palma of the Soviet proposal for a UN resolution on the non-use of force and prohibition of nuclear weapons.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF 18–6. Limited Official Use. Also sent to Moscow. Drafted by McIntyre (IO/UNP); cleared by Armitage (UNP), Kadilis (EUR/SOV), and in substance by Martin (PM/DCA); and approved by De Palma (IO).
343. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Sonnenfeldt discussed options for responding to the Soviet proposal for a UN resolution on the non-use of force and asked Kissinger how he preferred to proceed.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 720, Country Files, Europe, USSR Vol. XXV. Secret. Sent for action. Rondon concurred with the memorandum. Option #2, “Ask for SRG paper,” is checked. The attached telegram at Tab A is published. It was repeated to Bonn, London, Moscow, Paris, Tokyo, and Geneva.
344. Soviet Draft Resolution Introduced in the United Nations General Assembly
Text of Soviet draft resolution on the renunciation of the use of force and the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons.
Source: Documents on Disarmament, 1972, p. 672. No classification marking. For the text of Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko’s discussion of the proposal during his September 26 address to the UN, see ibid., pp. 662–672.
345. National Security Study Memorandum 162
The NSSM directed that a study be prepared on U.S. options for addressing the Soviet proposed UN resolution on the non-use of force and the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs (104-206). Secret. A copy was sent to Moorer.