GUIDELINES FOR DISCUSSIONS ON THE NUCLEAR DEFENSE OF THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000100130028-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2003
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: December 17, 1964
• Content Type: MEMO

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THE WHITE 11O1USE
WASHINGTON
SECRET
December 17, 1964
NATIONAL SECURITY ACTION MEMORANDUM NO. 322
TO: THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
SUBJECT: Guidelines for Discussions on the Nuclear
De ense of t e Atlantic Alliance
We now face very important discussions with our Allies on
future plans for the nuclear defense of the Atlantic Alliance.
I am sending you this memorandum to establish guidelines
for this discussion.
1. . Unless I give specific instructions to the contrary,
I do not wish any American official in any forum to press
for a binding agreement at this time. I wish to maintain the
position established in our talks with Prime Minister Wilson
-- namely, that the U. S. is not seeking to force its own
views on any European nation, but wishes rather to find a
way of responding effectively to the largest possible consen-
sus among interested European allies.
2. At the same time I expect American negotiators
to maintain the position that no agreement can be made with
the U. K. that does not take account of the legitimate interests
of Germany, and that similarly no agreement can be made
with Germany that does not take account of the legitimate
interests of other European states. The American negotiators
should continue to encourage direct discussion among Europ-
eans, and in particular they should urge the U. K. to seek
agreement with Germany and vice versa.
3. I wish all American negotiators to avoid public or
private quarrels with France, and to maintain in public and
private the following position: We are interested in reducing
our differences with France; we will never support any pro-
posal for a nuclear force which is in fact directed against
SECRET
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%of Mr
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France; we will not sign any agreement which does not con-,
tain open doors for France; nor will we make any agreement
until after French opinion and French desires have been
carefully and responsibly explored.
4. Any agreement we support must be a reinforcement
to our basic policy of non-dissemination of nuclear weapons.
We warmly support the inclusion in any agreement of strong
undertakings to this end.
5. Our position on the American veto and on the
European clause is as follows:
"The United States takes the position that any
charter for an Atlantic Force must provide for
United States' consent to the firing of the
nuclear weapons. If, however, major nations
of Europe some day achieve full political unity
with a central political authority capable of
making the decision to use nuclear weapons,
the United States recognizes that this will
create a new situation in which reconsideration
of various provisions of the charter would be
appropriate. In any event, revision of the
charter would be possible only with the unanimous
approval of the members.
6. Our present position on other issues is as stated
on December 8 in the U.S. memorandum of comments (at-
tached at A) on the U. K. proposal, omitting the names of
specific countries in paragraph 9, and leaving that paragraph
in abeyance for the time being.
7. In my judgment, the principal advantages of any
agreement will be;
(1) that it will lead the U. K. out of the field of
strategic deterrence and thus reduce by one the number.
of powers aiming at this kind of nuclear strength;
(2) that it will greatly reduce the danger of any
separate nuclear adventure by the Germans ; and
(3) that it will advance the principle and practice
of collective strategic defense, as against the prolifer-
ation of separate nuclear deterrents.
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These three advantages are of great importance to the Ameri-
can public and to all who care for world peace in other
countries, and it is essential that they be established in any
agreement.
8. The provisions of NSAM 318 (attached at B) will
remain in effect (except for the action in paragraph 6 which
has been completed).
9. Finally, I find nothing in the position of this gov-
ernment or in the posture of the alliance whch makes it
necessary, from the point of view of the U. S. alone, that
there should be final agreement or even agreement in prin-
ciple within the next three months. I may take a different
view on this in the light of new evidence, but this is my clear
present position, and I wish all actions by American officials
to be in conformity with it. If other governments for their
own reasons find it important to reach early agreement,
they will make their own efforts to this end, and in that case
I do not desire that we on our side should drag our feet.
But I do not wish anyone at any level to give the impression
that we are eager to act on a short timetable, or are attempt-
ing in any way to force our own views upon Europe.
SECRET
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Executive RegiEtty
318-
NATIONAL SECURITY ACTION MEM ANDUM NO. 3I8
N
MEMORANDUM FOR
OF STATE
TI3E SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE SECR
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'ect* The Future of the Nuclear Defense of the Atlantic
Subs
A],1iA e
In the next months we face highly important negotiations
1? These decisions relate not only
and decisions, on this subject. Paris, but to the
to the MLF proposals now under discussion in Government' It is
interests and concerns of the new British
careful account of the
also obvious that we shall have to
interests and purposes of France.
s it has been, to find the most effec-
2. Our own interest is, a
the partnership of the Atlantic Corn
five means of advancing other matters, and to do this
in nuclear defense as in of nuclear weapons.
without giving encouragement to the spread
withou
it is essential
it is my
3. To carry out these purposes effectively, gly
that this Government should be of ts'Government relating to
desire that all of the activities
nuclear defense of the Atlantic Alliance 8 Depar
t and
the
coordinated t fully
among the White House, th State the Defense Department.
4. More specifically, I desire that all officers of this of the Atl
this matter should ant
te have
to dis cus s
e H us e s the Sta
who travel overseas
written instructions cleared in White- Such instructions,
ent and the Defense Department other offi
wher cers of this
Departemappropriate. should also be used by
e
.
Government as guidanc
S
A
M
# 318
 g
ca
t
such discussion during this period of cr
parallel arrangement will be instituted in the White House. It
is critically important that this Government should speak with
one voice on this subject in the future.
6. Finally, I request that detailed recommendations and pro-
posals should be worked out for my consideration by the end of
this month so that there' may be time for careful consideration
and decision before'my meeting with Prime Minister Wilson on
December 7 and 8..
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SE CRET
5. I also desire that the Secretary of State and the Secretary
of Defense should make an explicit designation of those officers
who arc authorized to discuss these problems with the press,
and that other officers should be instructed to refrain from
otiation. A
l ne
i
i
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
EXECUTIVE MEMORANDUM
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
EXECUTIVE MEMORANDUM No.
DATE 2. r a a r i 964
ROOM NO.
Deputy Director (Plans)
Deputy Director (Intelligence)
Deputy Director (Science & Technology)
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Distribution:
O&2 - Addressees
- ER; 1-ExDir
This memorandum contains information for the addressees. Ad-
dressees may give this memorandum additional circulation within
their components as required. All copies should be destroyed, not
filed, upon completion of circulation. A master file will be kept in
the Executive Director's Office and will be available upon request.
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