U.S. SOVIET SPACE COOPERATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87M00539R001301600009-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 8, 2011
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: March 25, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

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EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT
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SWE
Central Intelligence Agency
Executive Registry
85- 1292/1
25 March 1985
MEMORANDUM FOR: Robert Kimmitt
Executive Secretary
National Security Council
SUBJECT : U.S. Soviet Space Cooperation
1. We have examined the State proposal in response to your
memorandum of today. These quick comments have been approved by the
DCI.
2. From the point of view of intelligence, we would emphasize the
danger of unwanted technology transfer or gain by the USSR from any such
space cooperation. In addition, there are many policy questions to
examine. For example, could such a US initiative blunt our SDI
negotiating strength or permit the USSR to make "peaceful" propaganda
progress at US expense? Also, what would be the optimum timing for any
such US initiative--should it not come later than 29 March, if the
Potsdam affair and Berlin air corridors questions have not been resolved
to US satisfaction by that time? Finally, has this initiative regarding
space cooperation been carefully integrated into the total of US
negotiating interests with the USSR?
Exec tive Secretary
/R
CID
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SENSITIVE
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20506
March 25, 1985
UNCLASSIFIED :4/SECRET SENSITIVE ATTACHMENT
MEMORANDUM FOR COLONEL R. J. AFFOURTIT
Executive Secretary
Department of Defense
Executive Registry
Executive Secretary
Central Intelligence Agency
KENNETH PEDERSEN
Director of International Affairs
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
SUBJECT: U.S. - Soviet Space Cooperation
Please provide your comments on the attached by COB today.
Robert M. Kimmitt
Executive Secretary
State memo, dated March 22, 1985
UNCLASSIFIED W/SECRET/SENSITIVE ATTACHMENT
Declassify on: OADR
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United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
SECRET
March 22, 1985
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. ROBERT C. MCFARLANE
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUBJECT: US-Soviet Space Cooperation
On March 29, the President is scheduled to deliver a speech
before the Goddard Society following receipt of their award.
We understand that his comments on that occasion could present
us with an opportunity to announce the Administration's desire
to begin discussions with the Soviet Union on possible renewed
bilateral cooperation in outer space.
The Soviets have privately expressed keen interest in
renewing space cooperation; their desire to renew bilateral
space activities could act as leverage to break loose your
proposal for a joint simulated space rescue mission. On each
occasion when raising the rescue mission, they have rebuffed us
with the response that such cooperation. would be out of the
question as long as the US was seeking to "militarize space."
Offering them talks could bring the simulated space rescue
mission to the bargaining table.
Before the proposed talks begin, we would work carefully to
coordinate this initiative vis-a-vis the Soviet Union with our
cooperative space program with our friends and Allies
(including the space station). We would also delineate means
to eliminate unwarranted technology transfer. Attached is a
draft paragraph for the President's speech which would announce
the proposal (Tab A). A non-paper for immediate forwarding to
the Soviet Government through Ambassador Dobrynin is presented
in Tab B.
Involving the Soviet Union in talks on cooperative space
activities could act as a foil for the Soviets' anti-SDI
propaganda. The proposal will demonstrate clearly our peaceful
approach to space at a time when the Soviets continue to
emphasize to all and sundry that the United States is seeking
to "militarize space."
We therefore recommend that you insert into the President's
speech for March 29 the draft language announcing US-Soviet
talks on future space cooperation and approve the Secretary
delivering the attached non-paper to Ambassador Dobrynin.
bNicholas Qatt
Executive Secretary
Attachments:
As stated.
SENSITIVE
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PROPOSED INSERT TO PRESIDENT'S SPEECH
The United States has undertaken major cooperative ventures
in space with our friends and Allies. The keystone for this
cooperation is the permanently manned space station. We also
are prepared to work with other nations in exploring space and
applying our knowledge to the benefit of mankind. On several
occasions, I have expressed my belief that cooperation with the
Soviet Union in programs which are mutually beneficial and
productive could yield practical benefits to all mankind.
The United States and the Soviet Union should work together
to take advantage of the vast opportunities before us in the
peaceful exploration of outer space. In this spirit, I have
proposed to the Government of the Soviet Union that they meet
with us in the coming months to begin discussions to establish
a basis for future space cooperation. Our talks will seek an
expansion from the current modest joint programs to activities
which are broader in scope. Cooperation in space research and
exploration could serve our common interests and contribute in
a significant way to the cause of peace.
The challenges are as evident as the benefits: the linking
of our two countries' capacities in space research and
exploration would prove that we can work together to advance
man's knowledge of the world he lives in, and is an objective
worthy of our best efforts.
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Cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union
has been framed by a series of agreements which includes the
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the
Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and
Other Celestial Bodies, the Agreement on the Rescue of
Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects
Launched into Outer Space, and the US-USSR Agreement on
Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for
Peaceful Purposes. Since 1982, joint research activities have
been supported by implementing arrangements between the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Academy
of Sciences of the USSR.
On October 30, 1984, President Reagan signed a statement
addressing our long-term interests in East-West ventures in
space. The President, in underscoring his desire to increase
contacts with the USSR, noted that "we are prepared to work
with the Soviets on cooperation in space in programs which are
mutually beneficial and productive." In ending his statement,
the President expressed his view that "cooperative programs
offer. practical benefits for all mankind."
We propose that the Soviet Union join us in discussions
which would seek to establish a firm basis for future
cooperation in space research and exploration. Moreover, we
propose the discussions begin in the coming months with the
venue agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
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