SALT AGREEMENT ON MEASURES TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL WAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-15-5-8-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 21, 2011
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: August 4, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-15-5-8-1 3 Q
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20506
August 4, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR
CHAIRMAN, NSC UNDER SECRETARIES COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: SALT Agreement on Measures to Prevent Accidental War.
The President directs that the SALT Backstopping Committee prepare an
instruction to our SALT Delegation to implement the following decisions.
1. The Chief of the US Delegation is authorized to inform the Soviet
Delegation that we are prepared to conclude an executive agreement on
measures to prevent accidental war, without waiting for the completion
of other agreements in SALT. Providing that the text, as worked out
by the SALT subgroup is approved in Washington, the Head of the US
Delegation is authorized to initial the a.greernent.
Z. The US Delegation should solicit Soviet views concerning the
timing and procedures for signing the agreement, making clear that US
signature of the agreement must await appropriate consultation with
Allies and with the Congress. The final decision regarding timing, pub-
licity, and procedures for signature will be made by the President in
`light of Allied and Congressional reactions and views of the Soviet
government.
cc: Deputy Secretary of Defense
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Director, Central Intelligence Agency
Acting Director, Arms Control and
Disarmament Agency
DOS, OSD, NSS,
Reviews Completed.
74'T
o Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-15-5-8-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-15-5-8-1
SECRET
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ACTION
August 3, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. KISSINGER
Helmut Sonnenfeldt t!"~
SUBJECT: New Instructions on Measures for Preventing
Accidental. War Agreement (See Memo at Tab C -
Log No. 31019)
As you requested, I have prepared a Memorandum for the President
(Tab A) informing him of new instructions for Gerard Smith on the
initialing of a separate executive agreement on Accidental War Measures.
The new instruction for the SALT Backstopping Committee authorizes
Smith to initial the agreement once the text is approved in Washington, and
to inform the Soviets we will be prepared to sign the agreement once we
have completed Allied and Congressional Consultation. Final decision on
timing procedures and publicity are reserved for the President but Smith
is authorized to seek Soviet views.
1. That you sign the memorandum to the President at Tab A.
2. That you sign the memorandum to the USC for the SALT Backstopping
Committee (Tab B).
SECRET
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/02/13: LOC-HAK-15-5-8-1