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231835472
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[Teller, Edward Meeting with Poindexter 11/29/1983]
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231835472
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[Teller, Edward Meeting with Poindexter 11/29/1983]
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Records of the National Security Council, Directorate of European and Soviet Affairs (Reagan Administration)
Jack F. Matlock, Jr.'s Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) Subject Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Matlock, Jack F.: Files
Folder Title: [Teller, Edward Meeting with
Poindexter 11/29/1983]
Box: 36
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection Name MATLOCK, JACK: FILES
Withdrawer
JET
5/25/2005
File Folder
[TELLER, EDWARD MEETING WITH POINDEXTER
FOIA
11/29/83]
F06-114/11
Box Number
36
YARHI-MILO
3615
ID Doc Type
Document Description
No of Doc Date Restrictions
Pages
11675 MEMO
KEYWORTH TO POINDEXTER RE
1 11/25/1983 B1
UPCOMING MEETING WITH EDWARD
TELLER
R
4/14/2011
F2006-114/11
11676 MEMO
COBB TO MATLOCK RE TELLER-
1 11/29/1983 B1
POINDEXTER MEETING
R
4/14/2011
F2006-114/11
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
B-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
B-2 Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
B-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
B-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
B-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
B-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
B-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
B-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift.
National Security Council
The White House
System # I
Package # 5523
SEQUENCE TO
HAS SEEN
DISPOSITION
Executive Secretary
John Poindexter
Wilma Hall
Bud McFarlane
John Poindexter
/
8
Executive Secretary
NSC Secretariat
Situation Room
MATLOCK
2
A
LEHMAN Cofy
2
/
A
1 = Information
A = Action
R = Retain
D = Dispatch
N = No further Action
DISTRIBUTION
CC:
VP Meese Baker Deaver Other
COMMENTS
Should be seen by:
(Date/Time)
Jack & Ron,
11/28
I'm meeting with Tieler tomorrow
of concern?
evening any thoughts & on his topics
11675 2
THE WHITE HOUSE
8573
WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 25, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR RADM JOHN M. POINDEXTER
FROM:
JAY KEYWORTH Jay
NOTED
SUBJECT: Your Upcoming Meeting with Edward Teller
The first issue Edward wishes to discuss with you is
authorization to continue US-Soviet-European discussions
on the consequences of nuclear war on the global climate.
These discussions began last August at the Ettore Majorana
Center for Scientific Culture in Erice, Italy.
In addition, it is possible that Edward may raise the
subject of similarly based discussions on cooperation for
strategic defense.
Since the issue of the catastrophic global consequences of
nuclear war has been receiving increasing attention, it
could be beneficial to have Edward engaged in these
discussions. Responsible acknowledgement and participation
by an extraordinary well-informed representative such as
Edward would appear to be responsive. However, I believe
that encouraging discussions with the Soviets on cooperation
for strategic defense would only offer further fuel for their
propaganda mill. In addition, Edward's intense commitment to
strategic defense and, in particular, to X-Ray lasers tends
to constrain his objectivity and even awareness of alternate
motives.
Finally, Edward wants to offer his opinion that bomb-pumped
X-Ray lasers should not be excluded from a forefront position
in the President's New Defense Initiative simply as a response
to public opposition to nuclear weapons in space. He feels that
the technology is so important that its role must be balanced
against the perceived, and temporary, loss of public support
for the program.
On this later point, the Fletcher Committee encouraged
continued support for research to achieve proof-of-principle
for X-Ray lasers, but they did not reflect the same level of
unique importance that Edward ascribes to it. I believe that
insuring Edward of our continued desire to support an
accelerated R&D program in the Department of Energy will
serve to allay his basic fear. I also recommend that you
further encourage him to support the President's objective,
above and beyond the particular technology.
DECLASSIFIED
NLRRF06-114/11 *11675
BY KML NARA
8573
-CONFIDENTIAL
File's Defensive systems
MEMORANDUM
mattorn
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
11676
CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE
November 29, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR JACK MATLOCK
FROM:
TY COBB
are
SUBJECT:
Teller-Poindexter Meeting
I
NOTED
Some thoughts on Edward Teller's meeting with Adm. Poindexter:
-- His interest in the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war
should be encouraged. Conference in Erice was quite productive.
Soviets (Velikhov) attended. Dick Garwin tells me that he sees
potential for cooperation between Soviets and Americans here, but
I'm not so sure. Not controversial.
I
Edward does have an obsession with X-ray lasers, and it is
probably true that the only means for producing X-rays required
would be through a nuclear explosion. We should not belittle the
substantial loss that would be represented by developing these
types of systems -- it would be more than just a little PR
problem. (Violates treaty)
-- However, Teller has a lot more on his mind. He requested
this meeting at the urging of some of his colleagues who have
reservations regarding the direction and speed we may move on
strategic defense. Edward is committed to it as are many of his
friends. They do, however, feel that there is no proven
technology around that merits the expenditure of massive funds on
(except, in Edward's case, X-ray lasers). They tend to be very
suspicious of chemical lasers, which Sen. Wallop favors. They
feel that bureaucratic interests have gained ascendency that wish
to march ahead without sufficient research. The report recently
forwarded will read like a Chinese menu, they fear -- something
for everyone, resulting in a massive price tag. (Flecher Report)
-- Teller's public backing for a strategic defense program is
essential. Therefore, his arguments should be heard. Adm.
Poindexter should ask Teller for his honest evaluation of the
propsects for achieving an effective strategic defense system
(100% leakage proscription??), and which programs bear particular
merit. He may also wish to ask for an evaluation of the
DoD-chaired report on strategic defense.
DECLASSIFIED
-- Teller has a number of thoughts on organization. Wants a
Manhattan-style project; feels we need to identify a Gen. Groves.
BY NARA
Should also have an oversight board. He will suggest names, if
asked. (Ask Teller if he has ta lked with the JCS.)
Teller wants our Allies included in work on the strategic
defense program. "All the best minds." This is controversial.
George Shultz opposes. Weinberger agrees with Teller.
CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE
Declassify on: OADR
CONFIDENTIAL