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    "label": "NSDD 172 Presenting the Strategic Defense Initiative",
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    "id": "6879765",
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    "title": "NSDD 172 Presenting the Strategic Defense Initiative",
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        "Numbered National Security Policy Papers",
        "National Security Decision Directives (NSDDs)"
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            "logicalDate": "1985-05-30",
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            "year": 1985
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    "seq": 7,
    "pageIndex": 0,
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    "ocrText": "SECHET\nSEGRET\n9\n2. Research will last for some years. We intend to adhere\nstrictly to ABM Treaty limitations and will insist that the\nSoviets to do so as well. (U)\nThe SDI research program is a complex one that must be\ncarried out on a broad front of technologies. It is not a program\nwhere all resource considerations are secondary to a schedule.\nInstead it is a responsible, organized research program that is\naggressively seeking cost-effective approaches for defending the\nUnited States and our Allies against the threat of nuclear-armed\nand conventionally-armed ballistic missiles of all ranges. We\nexpect that the research will proceed so that initial development\ndecisions could be made in the early nineties.\n(U)\nSoviet propagandists attempt to contrast the U.S. and Soviet\nstrategic defense programs by claiming that the SDI research\nprogram is a violation of the ABM Treaty while similar Soviet\nresearch is not. This is based upon their false assertion that\nthe U.S. has already decided to deploy a territorial defense. To\nsupport this allegation, they assert: \"that the U.S. has already\ndecided to abrogate the ABM Treaty; that the U.S. is emphasizing\nSoviet noncompliance with the ABM Treaty and other obligations in\norder to justify this action; and that abrogation will occur in\nthe near future.' (C)\nWe should take every appropriate opportunity to make clear\nthat we are conducting a broad-based research program, in full\ncompliance with the ABM Treaty and with no decision made to\nproceed beyond research. Some of the themes below build upon this\ncritical point. (U)\nWith respect to Soviet non-compliance with the ABM Treaty and\nwith other obligations, we have made it clear that we have\nexpressed our legitimate concerns because such actions threaten\nU.S. and allied security and significantly undermine the prospects\nfor genuine progress in negotiated arms reductions. Our concerns\nabout Soviet noncompliance should be presented in this context.\nCare must be exercised that they not be linked to SDI in such a\nway as to appear to reinforce the Soviet propaganda line. (C)\n3. We do not have any preconceived notions about the\ndefensive options the research may generate. We will not proceed\nto development and deployment unless the research indicates that\ndefenses meet strict criteria. (U)\nThe US is pursuing the broad-based SDI research program in an\nobjective manner. We have no preconceived notions about the\noutcome of the research program. We do not anticipate that we\nwill be in a position to approach any decision to proceed with\ndevelopment or deployment based on the results of this research\nfor a number of years. (U)\nSECRET\nSECRET\n/\n9"
}