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

102. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford¹

Washington, November 20, 1976.

Secretary Rumsfeld has asked that the following report of his meetings with the NATO Nuclear Planning Group be passed to you:

“As you know, the 20th Ministerial meeting of NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group was held in London this week. NATO Ambassador Robert Strausz-Hupe who had come over to London from Brussels met with me on Tuesday. We had a good visit about Europe and the attitudes of our allies as Robert sees them from NATO headquarters. His ideas about the alliance and the continuing buildup of Soviet military forces have merit and deserve discussion at one of our meetings.

“Later I had a useful session with Al Haig about the nuclear balance. I took advantage of his presence as we worked up the final texts of my briefings to the NATO Defense Ministers. We were in full agreement that we should leave the Europeans with a clear understanding (1) that the alliance’s nuclear deterrent is credible, and (2) that the deterrent operates and must operate across the full spectrum of all allied nuclear and conventional forces. He is well respected in Europe and pleased with his reappointment.

“That evening Fred Mulley, the new British Defense Minister, hosted a reception for the NATO Ministers with my good friend and your sincere admirer, Secretary General Joseph Luns. His very first inquiry was for you; and he asked me to pass to you his thanks and his very best wishes.

“Wednesday was devoted to formal sessions that continued until mid-day Thursday. There was, as expected, much European concern about the growing Soviet capabilities and many questions on the SS–X–20 missile; but I am hopeful that this meeting put the issue in better focus. Our cruise missile developments, both ALCM and SLCM, led to a number of questions. Again, I think that this NPG meeting stripped some of the romanticizing and provided our allies with a clearer understanding of the realities.

“Between the meetings I had a bilateral meeting with Greek Defense Minister Averoff, a fine man who has just recovered from three serious operations, who thinks reasonably about both Cyprus and the Turks. I only wish his health and domestic Greek politics allowed him to exercise more influence in Athens. In addition, I had a bilateral meeting with the new Canadian Defense Minister Danson, who has been in office for only two weeks. He impressed me as a much stronger figure than his predecessor and a man with whom the U.S. can work to improve North American and alliance defenses. Danson asked to visit Washington in the coming weeks, and I agreed it would be useful for him to do so.

“Finally, I visited with Fred Mulley at his office in the UK Ministry of Defense. Her Majesty’s Government has problems and, as you would expect, most of the subjects he voiced had to do with money. I shall try to do what I can to be of help to him and a nation that is a valued ally and to Mulley himself, who is decent, well-meaning and hard-working.

“Later yesterday and this morning I made a quick stop in Scotland at the U.S. Navy facility for our Poseidon Submarines in Holy Loch. It is my pleasure to report that the ships and crews and morale are superb. One cannot help but be proud of them.

“I was in North Germany tonight where the installations and facilities are being prepared to receive the U.S. army brigade that will soon take up its station on the North German Plain. I will be back in Washington Saturday.

“All in all the North Atlantic Alliance is healthy and vibrant, in my view. America’s security relations with our European allies are on a sounder footing and more problem free than in many, many years. The people I have just met know that you are genuinely interested in NATO; they know what you and your Administration have done in the past two years to strengthen America’s defenses and the trans-Atlantic bonds; and they are understandably grateful.

“I look forward to seeing you on Monday and trust your time in California was relaxing.”

1. Summary: Scowcroft relayed a report from Rumsfeld concerning his meetings with the NATO Nuclear Planning Group.

   Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Agency Files, Box 14, NATO, 9/16/76–12/7/76. Confidential. Ford initialed the memorandum. In a November 4 memorandum to Rumsfeld, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy Donald Cotter reviewed the evolution of U.S. NATO theater nuclear force initiatives, with particular emphasis on his role in them. (Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–79–0049, NATO 320.2, 4 Nov 76)