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27250
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 12, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BILL TIMMONS
FROM:
AL HAIG
SUBJECT:
Arctic Policy
You recently forwarded to Dr. Kissinger a copy of a letter Senator
Gravel wrote to the President on Arctic policy.
The Senator calls for a national policy statement on US interests in the
Arctic. Moreover, he asks the President to assign to an appropriate
policy staff group the job of producing an analytical study which would
form the basis for an updated policy in the Arctic.
You should be aware that such a study has been underway within
National Security Council channels and is now nearing final draft.
The terms of reference for the study are classified, but in general
they are parallel to the type of analysis Senator Gravel calls for in
his letter.
We hope to have the Arctic policy study completed by 1 June 1971.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon, Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
MEMORANDUM
ACTION - 27250
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
UNCLASSIFIED
SECRET/SENSITIVE
April 9, 1971
ATTACHMENT
MEMORANDUM FOR:
GENERAL HAIG
FROM:
ROBERT M. BEHR
Rud
SUBJECT:
Arctic Policy
Bill Timmons has forwarded a letter (Tab B) he wrote to Senator Gravel
in response to the Senator's letter (Tab C) to the President regarding
Arctic policy. The correspondence was sent to Dr. Kissinger for his
"consideration.
Although we have not been asked to draft a substantive reply to Senator
Gravel, I believe that we should acquaint Bill Timmons with what is
going on in the NSC channels with respect to Arctic policy. He can then
use the information as he desires. The memorandum at Tab A will serve
this purpose.
FYI: The terms of reference for the NSC Arctic Policy Study are at Tab D.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you sign the memorandum at Tab A.
UNCLASSIFIED
ATTACHMENT
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
CONFIDENTIAL
-3-
work here on the problem and expect to hear from Cadieux
not later than Monday. However, I think it also pos-
sible that Prime Minister Trudeau might telephone you.
U. Alexis Johnson
CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
MEMORANDI
to the Prindent
THE WHITE HOUSE
meand
WASHINGTON
CONFIDENTIAL
ACTION
March 22, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Henry A. Kissinger
SUBJECT:
Canadian Legislation on the Arctic
In accordance with your March 17 telephone conversation with Prime
Minister Trudeau, an interagency team from the Departments of State,
Defense, Navy, Transportation, Interior, and Coast Guard visited
Ottawa on March 20 to discuss this subject with the Canadians. The
team met with State Secretary for External Affairs and Acting Prime
Minister Sharp and two other Ministers, Trudeau being out of town.
Results of U. S. Team Visit
Some progress was made with the Canadians and there should be some
helpful revisionsmade in the proposals the government is committed
to make to Parliament next week. However, some objectionable fea-
tures will undoubtedly remain, given the overwhelming political
pressures on the Arctic pollution issue and nationalistic claims to
the area's waters. The Canadians are very sensitive about its becom-
ing known that they are discussing with us legislation being considered
by the government before its presentation to the Parliament.
The tabling of legislation next week is only the first step, and our
team believes the Canadians will handle the subject in a manner that
will buy as much time as possible to work out a mutual solution. Our
team proposed a Joint U. S. -Canadian Commission under which each
country would enforce against its flag vessels mutually agreed regulations
for operations in the Arctic. The Canadians felt that their political
pressures would not let them accept a solution which would give the
"big and powerful" United States such a strong voice in how they handle
their Arctic waters. Talks centered around alternatives to this solu-
tion and various formulas for Canadian legislation.
CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
CONFIDENTIAL
-2-
The Canadians are meeting further on this subject, and Ambassador
Cadieux will be in touch with State by tomorrow. There is a chance
that Prime Minister Trudeau might call you.
Suggested Talking Points for Possible Trudeau Call
1. You appreciate the reception of the U. S. team by Minister Sharp
and his colleagues.
2. You understand that the talks were constructive, with a mutual
recognition of problems.
3. You hope that further progress can be made toward solutions accept-
able to both countries.
4. You understand that Ambassador Cadieux will be in touch with the
State. Department on this matter.
CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
retarist -
4/13
OBE- - There was anothers later memo on
this pubject 4/11 Chog # 9161) - also a
new memo will be coming three
later today (4/13) m the subject.
(9208)
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
9112
WASHINGTON
CONFIDENTIAL
ACTION
Agaee
April 9, 1970
HC
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. KISSINGER
Wratisdue h
FROM:
Helmut Sonnenfeldt #5
dinum?
in
Ined
SUBJECT: US Response to Canadian Legislation on Arctic
recommendation
At an inter-agency meeting today at State, chaired by State's Legal
APR 13 1970
Adviser Stevenson, consideration was given to what response the US
should make to the introduction yesterday into the Canadian Parliament
of proposed legislation dealing with a pollution zone in the Arctic,
fisheries closing lines and the territorial sea. The rough estimate is
that the legislation will be enacted prior to the June recess of the Canadian
Parliament.
Though no conclusions were reached at the meeting, there seemed to be
general agreement that there were two categories of measures open to
the US, those that should be taken immediately and those that might be
taken over a longer period (six months). Among the immediate steps
which might be taken are:
-- calling our Ambassador in Ottawa back to Washington for several
days consultation;
-- advising the Canadian Government that we wish to postpone con-
sideration of dates for beginning bilateral talks on the common
continental shelf;
- - cancelling two scheduled meetings with the Canadians dealing
with Arctic issues: a National Science Foundation meeting on
pollution, and a Coast Guard meeting on navigational aides;
-- announcement that we shall continue to send US submarines in
submerged transit through the Arctic waters without prior notice
to Canada.
MICROFILM
DATA
DO X
INIT
RJ
DATE 4-16
CONFIDENTIAL
ORIG) NSC
TO
)
PAF
x
WHC
SUBF
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
CONFIDENTIAL
-2-
An additional immediate step considered at today's meeting was a
statement to be issued by Secretary Rogers. The proposed statement
would express the deep disappointment and concern of the US Govern-
ment over the Canadian action. To put teeth into our protest, the state-
ment notes that we expect shortly to call a major international conference
designed to establish, by agreement, an international regime for con-
trolling maritime pollution in the Arctic. Secondly, the statement issues
an invitation to Canada to join with us in submitting to the International
Court of Justice the dispute concerning the pollution zone and the fisheries
closing lines, despite the reservation submitted yesterday by Canada to
its acceptance of the Court's jurisdiction.
Stevenson is planning to discuss these immediate steps on Friday with
Alex Johnson, and hopes that, after securing DOD's clearance, Secretary
Rogers will issue the proposed statement on Monday. We do not know
whether State intends to seek White House approval of these actions.
Preliminary consideration was also given at the meeting this afternoon
to measures which are clearly punitive, and not directly related to the
Arctic and law of the sea issues. These require further study and need
not be implemented immediately. These measures include an alteration
of the Joint Defense Production Sharing Agreement, removal of Canada's
privileged status in our balance of payments programs, not liberalizing
the Canadian oil import exemption, and closing Goose Bay Air Force Base.
I do not know the nature of any discussions you may have had on this
subject with Alex Johnson. But, it does seem important to ensure that
White House approval be sought before certain actions are taken, particularly
any announcement of submarine transits, the call for an international
conference, and the invitation to go to court with Canada.
RECOMMENDATION
That you discuss this with Under Secretary Johnson before the weekend.
CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
*
#
Department of State
UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN
TELEGRAM
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
589
PAGE 01 STATE 055408
85
ORIGIN L-04
INFO OCT-01 AF-12 ARA-12 EA-10 EUR-20 NEA-13 RSC-01 IO-13
SCI-06 SS-20 NSC-10 SFW-02 INT-06 MSC-01 COM-08 E-15
DOT=12 OIC-05 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-05 H-02 INR=07
NSAE-00 P-03 PRS-01 USIA-12 OST-01 1202 R
66635
DRAFTED BY: L/PMO:RNEUMAN
APPROVED BY: J-AMBASSADORJOHNSON
L-MR.STEVENSON
WHITE HOUSE-MR.DOWNEY(INFO)
EUR-MR.HILLENBRAND
S/S-MR.GLEYSTEEN
SCI/EN-MR.SALMON
IO-MR.GREENE
EUR/CAN-MR.SCOTT
074047
P R 150123Z APR 70
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
AMEMBASSY OSLO
AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY PANAMA
AMEMBASSY MADRID
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
hh
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
4
#
Department of State
UNITED STATES OF MEMBER
TELEGRAM
LIMITED OFFICIAL use
PAGE 02 STATE 055408
USMISSION NATO
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE STATE 055408
SUBJECT: PROPOSED ARCTIC CONFERENCE
1. ON APRIL 8 THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INTRODUCED INTO
PARLIAMENT TWO LEGISLATIVE BILLS DEALING WITH POLLUTION
IN THE ARCTIC, FISHERIES AND THE LIMITS OF THE TERRI-
TORIAL SEA USG OPPOSES THIS LEGISLATIVE ACTION AS UN-
FOUNDED IN INTERNATIONAL LAW. SECRETARY ROGERS WILL RE-
LEASE DETAILED STATEMENT SETTING FORTH USG POSITION.
STATEMENT WILL BE SENT SEPTEL WHEN RELEASED.
2. MOST SERIOUS ASPECT OF LEGISLATION IS BILL WHICH
SEEKS TO ESTABLISH POLLUTION ZONES IN ARCTIC WATERS UP
TO 100 MILES FROM EVERY POINT OF CANADIAN COASTAL TERRI-
TORY ABOVE THE 60TH PARALLEL. WITHIN THESE ZONES CANADA
WOULD ASSERT RIGHT TO CONTROL SHIPPING, TO PRESCRIBE STAN-
DARDS OF VESSEL CONSTRUCTION: NAVIGATION AND OPERATION,
AND, IF NECESSARY, TO PROHIBIT FREE PASSAGE OF VESSELS IN
THOSE WATERS.
3. CANADIAN LEGISLATION RUNS COUNTER TO USG VIEW THAT
RULES AFFECTING NAVIGATION ON THE HIGH SEAS CAN ONLY BE
ESTABLISHED BY MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT. USG SHARES CANA-
DIAN CONCERN OVER POTENTIAL FOR OIL POLLUTION IN ARCTIC.
MOREOVER, USG IS AWARE OF PECULIAR ECOLOGICAL NATURE
OF ARCTIC REGION AND THE SPECIAL DANGERS OF OIL POLLUTION
IN THAT AREA. PRIOR TO INTRODUCTION OF CANADIAN LEGISLA-
TION, USG PROPOSED THAT CANADA ALONE OR CANADA WITH USG
CALL IMMEDIATE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO CONSIDER ESTA-
BLISHMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL REGIME FOR THE WATERS AND
ICE OF THE ARCTIC BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION.
4. CANADA HAS MANIFESTED ITS VIEW THAT IT MUST ACT UNI- -
LATERALLY RATHER THAN WAIT FOR INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT,
ALTHOUGH NOT EXCLUDING SUBSEQUENT MULTILATERAL APPROACH.
UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES USG CONSIDERS IT NECESSARY TO MOVE
-
AHEAD PROMPTLY TOWARDS MULTILATERAL CONFERENCE DESIGNED
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
DEPARTMENT
OF
STATE
*
Department of State
UNITED STATES OF
TELEGRAM
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
PAGE 03 STATE 055408
TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL REGIME FOR ARCTIC AREAS
BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION AND WILL URGE CANADA TO
PARTICIPATE IN SUCH A CONFERENCE. IT MIGHT BE ADVISABLE
TO DIVIDE THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE INTO TWO SESSIONS, THE
FIRST DEALING ESSENTIALLY WITH AGREED ANTI POLLUTION
REGULATIONS ON AN URGENT BASIS, WITH SOME GENERAL
CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO OTHER ASPECTS OF THE REGIME.
BEFORE ADJOURNMENT OF FIRST SESSION, THE CONFERENCE WOULD
APPOINT WORKING GROUPS TO STUDY POSSIBLE APPROACHES TO
OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE ARCTIC REGIME TO BE CONSIDERED IN
DETAIL BY THE SECOND SESSION.
5. REQUEST ADDRESSEES CONSULT URGENTLY WITH HOST GOVERN-
MENTS IN ORDER TO SOLICIT THEIR VIEWS REGARDING AUSPICES,
AGENDA, TIMING AND PARTICIPATION OF PROPOSED CONFERENCE.
PRELIMINARY USG PREFERENCE IS FOR EARLY CONFERENCE, PERHAPS
FOURTH WEEK OF JUNE IN WASHINGTON, WITH INVITATIONS SENT
TO ADDRESSEE GOVERNMENTS ON BASIS EITHER TERRITORIAL
PRESENCE OR POTENTIAL USE OF ARCTIC WATERS. USG WOULD BE
MOST PLEASED IF ADDRESSEES WOULD WISH TO JOIN IN THE CALL
FOR THE CONFERENCE, AND WE SEEK HOST GOVERNMENT'S VIEWS
ASAP ON THIS POSSIBILITY.
6. EMBASSIES REQUESTED ADHERE CLOSELY TO TEXT OF THIS
TELEGRAM IN MAKING PRESENTATION. IF EMBASSIES DEEM IT
DESIRABLE, AS FOR EXAMPLE WHERE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF
A MISUNDERSTANDING, WE SUGGEST THAT THE RELEVANT POR-
TIONS OF THIS CABLE BE PRESENTED AS AN AIDE MEMOIRE.
7. FOR OTTAWA: EMBASSY SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF NOTE PRE-
SENTED TO CANADIAN AMBASSADOR APRIL 14 AND TAILOR PRESEN-
TATION TO THAT TEXT. ROGERS
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
March 31, 1971
Dear Mike:
I would like to acknowledge and thank you for
your letter to the President with which you
enclosed your recent speech proposing a
comprehensive national policy statement
regarding the Arctic. Your letter will be
brought to the President's attention as well
as shared with those whose responsibility
encompass this area.
With warm regards,
Sincerely,
William E. Timmons
Assistant to the President
Honorable Mike Gravel
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.
bee: w/inc to Dr. Kissingef - for your consideration
bee: w/inc to John Ehrlichman - for your consideration
bee: Kenneth BeLieu -FYI
WET:EF:VO:jas
JON VEB 20
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
MIKE GRAVEL
United States Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510
March 23, 1971
The Honorable Richard M. Nixon
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
For some time I have felt that we have needed a full national
policy statement on U.S. interests in the Arctic (and the sub-
arctic) and a comprehensive line agency program to go with it.
Such a step would have several very real advantages, and the
present timing would seem to be especially good. Indeed, had we
done a thorough and explicit analysis of our national interest
in the High North in the past, a number of the issues currently
facing Alaska and the nation would likely be surrounded with
less confusion and be more susceptible of solution -- for example,
the oil pipeline permit, the settlement of the Alaska Native Land
Claims, and the question of environmental protection responsibil-
ities along the Northwest Passage.
Three general observations are the occasion for my proposal.
One is that U.S. public and private activities in the Arctic have
now reached a level of size, complexity and diversity with every
prospect of acceleration that a comprehensive national policy
statement and an integrated national program for the region seems
entirely in order. A second is that given the present and pros-
pective degree of federal involvement in the Arctic, a statement
and program which knit together national concerns for the area
would be especially helpful for agencies to pin their individual
program and planning activities. Finally, the U.S. having a
state in the Arctic (Alaska) presents the opportunity to capitalize
on fresh international initiatives with other members of the
circumpolar community in a region as yet relatively free from strife
but ripe for cooperative ventures.
Earlier this month I set forth my proposal and the reasons for
it in an address at Alaska Methodist University in Anchorage
(copy enclosed). In this presentation I identified what I would
see as the general elements of the analysis -- national security
and political aspects, social and economic aspects, scientific
and environmental aspects. I see the task as one of goal setting
and then moving from this to a program for achievement commensurate
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
27250
The Honorable Richard M. Nixon
March 23, 1971
Page 2
with relative urgency and to underpin this with a clear national
policy statement by the Administration.
I urge that you consider giving the assignment I have outlined
to the appropriate policy staff group for development and elabor-
ation. Alternatively, the creation of a temporary Presidential
Commission to produce the analysis might be desirable if the
broad and balanced approach I envision could not be found in
existing Administration machinery.
Your early attention to this proposal is respectfully requested.
Sincerely,
Mike Gravel
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Behr
P42
8285
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
April 15, 1970
MEMORANDUM I OR
CHAIRMAN, NSC UNDER SECRETARIES COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: United States Arctic Policy and Organizational
Arrangements for Implementation
The President has expressed concern that there exists no coordinated
United States policy on the Arctic and Arctic affairs.
In view of the critical need for an overall policy framework to pre-
serve the environment of the North, to provide guidelines for decision-
making on several issues of international concern, and to focus United
States activities, longer-range interests and objectives in the Arctic,
the President has directed that the NSC Under Secretaries Committee
undertake a review of United States policy on the Arctic. This review
should consider the political implications of United States policy, and
explore all opport unities for international cooperation on Arctic matters.
It should also include consideration of the necessary interagency co-
ordinating mechanisms and budgetary implications.
For the purposes of this review, the Under Secretaries Committee should
include the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality and rep-
resentatives of the Departments of Interior, Commerce, Health Education
and Welfare, Transportation, the Office of Science and Technology, the
National Science Foundation, the Bureau of the Budget.
The Committee's recommendations regarding United States Arctic policy
and organizational arrangements for implementation should be forwarded
to the President by or before May 18, 1970.
Henry A. Kissinger
HALLISNES/LEHOTS
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
DOC
RECD
I.OG NBR
INITIAL ACTION OFF
MO DA
MO DA HR
NSC CORRESPONDENCE PROF E
03
31
04
02
13
21250
BEHR
LOG IN/OUT ONLY
TO: PRES
FROM: ELIOT
U
NO FORN
NODIS
KISSINGER
ROGERS, W
LOU
BUO
EXDIS
DOC SOURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION
HAIG
LAIRD, M
C
EYES ONLY
LIMDIS
Timmons, w
S
CODE WORD
RES DATA
Grand, mike
TS
SENSITIVE
SUBJECT: ack Sex Dranch's ltr and spuch re comprehensive
nate policy statement on the arctic
REFERENCE: S/S
OTHER
NOT XEROXED
APP'TS: PRES
HAK
TALKER
MEMCON
DATE REQ.
INTERNAL ROUTING AND DISTRIBUTION
ACTION REQUIRED
ACTION
INFO
REC
MEMO for HAK
(
)
CY
ADVANCE CYS TO HAK/HAIG
for
MEMO for PRES.
(
)
STAFF SECRETARY
REPLY FOR
SIGNATURE
(
)
FAR EAST
for DISTRIBUTION/DISPATCH
(
)
SECRETARIAT DISTRIBUTION/ACTION
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
MEMO
TO
(
)
NR EAST/NORTH AFRICA
RECOMMENDATIONS
(
)
EUROPE/CANADA
JOINT MEMO
(
)
LATIN AMERICA
REFER TO STATE
(
)
UNITED NATIONS
X
ANY ACTION NECESSARY
?
(
)
ECONOMIC
CONCURRENCE
(
)
SCIENTIFIC
DUE DATE: 04/08
LR PLANNING
COMMENTS: (Including Special Instructions)
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
NSC PLANNING
CONGRESSIONAL
-x
DATE
4/9
FROM
TO
S
CY TO
Beh
HA16
X ACTION REQUIRED to Tenhons (4/14)
INTERNAL/INTERIM ROUTING
MICROFILM DATA
CROSS REF WITH
SEE LOG
DISPOSITION
NOTIFY DISPATCH: COPIES: HP, (AS LETTER/MEMO MARKED HM ABOVE) DATE
DO
JOINED BY LOG
DATE INIT 4/14
SPECIAL FILE RQMT:
SA,
ORIG)
NSC
TO )
PAF
SPECIAL DISPOSITION COMMENTS:
WHC
SUSPENSE CY A TACHED:
YES
NO
X
SUBF
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined topbe declassified.
WASHINGTON
CONFIDENTIAL
March 23, 1970
HAK:
Attached at Tab A is a copy of Alexis Johnson's
memorandum to the President on his trip to
Ottawa.
Last night, I gave you a copy of the summary
memorandum we sent to the President on your
behalf (Tab B).
You will note that we did not forward Johnson's
memorandum to the President nor did we
mention in your memorandum who was on the
team.
A1 Haig
Attachments
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
8554
HAK- FYI
UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE
Info. action Sommenth Behr
FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON
S/S 4396
March 21, 1970
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Canadian Legislation on the Arctic
In accordance with your telephone conversation with
Prime Minister Trudeau on March 17, 1 yesterday visited
Ottawa and met all day, until late in the evening, with
State Secretary for External Affairs and Acting Prime
Minister Sharp (Trudeau was in Winnipeg for several
days), and two other Canadian Ministers, the Minister of
Indian Affairs and Northern Development Chretien, and
Donald MacDonald, President of the Privy Council and
Government Leader in the House. Ambassador Cadieux
and other senior Canadian Government officials were also
present. I was accompanied by Under Secretary of the
Navy Warner and senior representatives from DOD, DOT,
Interior and the Chief Counsel of the Coast Guard.
In summary, I believe we have caused the Canadians
to rethink, and undoubtedly to make some revisions in
the proposal.s they are committed to make to Parliament
next week. However, as it is quite clear they face
overwhelming; political pressures on the pollution issue
in the Arctic and nationalistic claims to the waters in
the area (this is clearly the present political issue in
Canada), I am not sanguine that they will find it possible
to eliminate all of those features that we find objection-
able. However, the tabling of legislation next week is
only the first step and I am satisfied that they intend
to handle the matter in a manner that will buy as much
CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
CONFIDENTIAL
--2-
time as possible for both of us to try to work out
mutual solutions.
In addition to making the points contained in the
"talking paper" attached to Secretary Rogers' memorandum
of March 16 to you, I proposed to the Canadians the
immediate formation of a Joint U.S. -Canadian Commission
under which we would enforce against American flag vessels
mutually agreed regulations for operations in the Arctic
off both of our coasts. The Canadians would do the same
with respect to their vessels. I pointed out that
this would meet the immediate practical needs and also
avoid the issue of principle for both countries while
buying time to work out a wider international solution.
While appreciating our effort to offer a constructive
solution, the Canadian representatives felt that the
political pressures they faced were such that they
could not accept a solution which would appear to give
the "big and powerful" U. S. such a strong voice in
how they handle their Arctic waters.
Much of our discussion through :he day revolved
around various possible alternatives to this proposal,
formulae for Canadian legislation, and other possible
solutions.
The Canadians are very sensitive on its becoming
known that they are discussing with us legislation being
considered ty the Government before its presentation
to the Parliament. The Canadians themselves are meeting
again today on the subject and plan to discuss the matter
with the Prime Minister when he returns this afternoon.
I offered to leave in Ottawa any members of my delegation
that would be helpful, but Sharp suggested that we keep
in touch through Ambassador Cadieux, who returned to
Washington with me. I have promised to follow up work
CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library This document has been reviewed pursuant to E.O. 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.