STANDING CONSULTATIVE COMMISSION (SCC)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01315R000400400051-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 8, 2004
• Sequence Number: 51
• Publication Date: May 26, 1976
• Content Type: REPORT

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M4.y 26, 1976
STANDING CONSULTATIVE COMMISSION (SCC)
In the first session of SALT, in 1969, it was suggested
that there be a continuing process for consultation following
conclusion of any agreements, in order to provide a mechanism
for discussing and resolving the problems which would inevitably
arise, and thus to make such agreements more viable. Both
sides agreed on the probable utility of a permanent bilateral
body which would be charged with functions related to (a) imple-
mentation of a strategic arms limitation agreement, and (b)
consideration of questions concerning compliance with its pro-
visions. The proposals of both sides for the terms of a SALT
agreement began to reflect a draft provision for establishing
a Standing Commission setting forth its functions and respon-
sibilities. Early agreement was achieved on the text of
Article XIII for inclusion in the ABM Treaty which was signed
on May 26, 1972. The corresponding article of the Interim
Agreement limiting strategic offensive arms is Article VI.
The Standing Consultative Commission (SCC) was formally
established by the Memorandum of Understanding of December 21,
1972. It is a joint US-USSR body charged with promoting
implementation of the objectives and provisions of the SALT
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ONE agreements -- the ABM Treaty and Interim Agreement of
May 26, 1972, and the Agreement on Measures to Reduce the
Risk of Outbreak of Nuclear War of September 30, 1971.
In connection with the SALT agreements already in force,
the Commission is responsible for a number of important
functions which are specifically set forth in Article XIII
of the ABM Treaty. In particular, it is a forum for considering
questions of compliance with obligations assumed under such
agreements, for reconciling any misunderstandings or uncertainties
arising in the performance of those obligations, and for con-
sidering possible proposals for increasing the viability of
agreements already concluded as well as possible proposals
for further strategic arms limitation measures.
Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding and the pro-
visions of Article XIII of the ABM Treaty, which constitute
its basic charter, the SCC would probably also be entrusted
with similar implementation functions with respect to future
strategic arms limitation agreements which may be concluded
between the U.S. and the USSR.
Each Government is, represented on the SCC by a Commissioner
and a Deputy Commissioner, who are assisted by such staff and
advisors as they deem necessary. The U.S. Commissioner is Mr.
S. N. Graybeal, and the Deputy U.S. Commissioner is Brigadier
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General Frank L. Serio. The Soviet Commissioner and Deputy
Commissioner are Brigadier General G. I. Ustinov and Mr. Victor
P. Karpov. The Commission holds periodic sessions in Geneva,
at least twice annually at times mutually agreed between Com-
missioners, and may be convened for additional sessions at the
request of either Commissioner. Between sessions, the Commis-
sioners may communicate with one another through diplomatic
channels concerning any matter within the competence of the
Commission.
It was established in the regulations of the SCC that the
proceedings of the Commission would be private. We believe
that this has facilitated direct and frank exchanges concerning
strategic weapons systems and other matters related to SALT
agreement implementation. Of course, it is understood that the
SCC Commissioners will keep their respective Governments fully
informed, in accordance with the relevant processes and pro-
cedures of those Governments. This method of operation should
enhance the possibilities of continuing those direct and frank
exchanges which are necessary if the SCC is to effectively
carry out its assigned responsibilities.
The SCC convened its first session in the Spring of 1973,
and, after agreeing on the Regulations which govern its internal
operation, turned to its first priority task, the working out
of procedures to implement certain provisions of the ABM Treaty
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and the Interim Agreement. By the close of the third SCC Session,
in June 1974, the two Protocols on Procedures Governing Replace-
ment, Dismantling or Destruction, and Notification Thereof -- one
for Strategic Offensive Arms and one for ABM Systems and their
Components -- were completed and agreed upon. These two documents
were signed in Moscow on July 3, 1974. As the titles indicate,
their provisions govern the replacement of certain older ICBM
launchers and launchers on older submarines by ballistic missile
launchers on modern submarines as permitted under the Interim
Agreement, as well as the dismantling or destruction of weapons
systems and components in excess of those permitted by the ADM
Treaty and the Interim Agreement.
The SCC has also taken up items in connection with-enhancing
implementation of the Agreement on Measures to Reduce the Risk
of Outbreak of Nuclear war, as well as the ABM replacement pro-
cedures which need to be worked out in light of the Protocol to
the ABM Treaty signed in Moscow in July 1974. (This Protocol
limits each side to one ABM deployment area. However, the US
has the right to exchange its ABM deployment area in defense of
ICBMs for a defense of the national capital, and the USSR has
the right to exchange its ADM defense of the national capital
for an ABM deployment area in defense of ICBMs.)
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An important agenda item has been the discussion of
compliance-related questions. The SCC, as an implementing
body, operates in accordance with Presidentially-approved
instructions. It provides a direct-contact forum for dis-
cussing and clarifying questions of compliance and related,
possibly ambiguous, situations. The SCC has shown that it
can perform a valuable service and be useful in clarifying
and removing questions and ambiguities related to implementation
of, and compliance with, the provisions of complex and
sensitive arms control agreements.
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STANDING CONSULTATIVE COMMISSION (SCC)
"Pre-I" During SALT ONE (Nov. 1969-May 1972) there were
discussions concerning the SCC, and Article XIII of
the AI3M Treaty and Article VI of the Interim Agree-
ment were negotiated.
"Pre-I" During the first session of SALT TWO, Nov. 21, 1972
through Dec. 21, 1972, a Joint Working Group of the
SALT Delegations negotiated the Memorandum of Under-
standing and worked on the draft SCC Regulations.
Arab. Smith acted as U.S. Commissioner, and Mr. Graybeal
was his representative and co-chairman of the Working
SESSION
Group.
I
May 30,
1973 through
July 5, 1973*
II
Sep. 25,
1973
Nov. 16, 1973
III
Apr. 2,
1974
Jun. 19, 1974
IV
Sep. 24,
1974
Oct. 28, 1974
V
Jan. 28,
1975
Feb. 13, 1975
VI
Mar. 24,
1975
May 6, 1975
VII
Sep. 22,
1975
Oct. 2.9, 1975
VIII
Mar. 29,
1976
May 5, 1976
*The same Working Group mentioned above completed work on the
Regulations of the SCC between May 21 and May 29, and they were
signed at the first official meeting of SCC-i on May 30.
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