NSDD 79 United States Chemical Weapons Arms Control Policy

SECRET SECRET 2 -- Verification and compliance arrangements, beyond those set forth in the paper, "U.S. Detailed Views on the Con- tent of a Chemical Weapons Ban," should be formulated and negotiated in the CD to reduce risks from undetected evasion; and The United States will not support or participate in the drafting of actual treaty text until an effective verification and compliance framework, acceptable to the United States, has been negotiated. (S) It is also to be understood, in this regard, that the United States' decision to support CD negotiations on a complete chemical weapons ban : -- Requires that the modernization of short- and long-range chemical weapons proceed on an urgent basis to enable the United States to gain negotiating leverage in the area of chemical weapons arms control, and so that the United States has a credible and effective deterrent/retaliatory capability until such time as a complete and verifiable prohibition of chemical weapons has been obtained; Will require that we continue to make the direct connection between Soviet and surrogate use of toxin and other chemical weapons in Afghanistan and Southeast Asia and the need for effective verification and compliance measures in any future chemical weapons agreement; and Is made without prejudice to decisions the United States may make concerning initiation of CD negotiations in areas or on issues other than chemical weapons arms control. (S) Rais and Rayne SECRET SECRET of 9 copies cy CHRON FILE