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January 14, 1976 - Ford, Kissinger, Rumsfeld
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1553338
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January 14, 1976 - Ford, Kissinger, Rumsfeld
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Memoranda of Conversations (Nixon and Ford Administrations)
Ford Administration Memoranda of Conversations
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Arms control
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1976
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MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DECLASSIFIED
SEGRET/NODIS/XGDS
E.O. 12958 (as amended) SEC 3.3
MR # 10-119
oso etr 6/20/10; state lts 9/3/10
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
By dal NARA, Date 10/12/10
PARTICIPANTS:
President Ford
Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Secretary of State
Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense
Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to the
President for National Security Affairs
DATE AND TIME:
Wednesday, January 14, 1976
9:35 - 10:45 a. m.
PLACE:
The Oval Office
Kissinger: I think we have an urgent decision to make. I don't see how
I can go, in the light of the DOD and ACDA memos, which will have to go
to Jackson. The objection will be that we rushed to an agreement in the
face of agency objections.
I just don't understand Option I. Either an agreement collapses
if there is not a subsequent Backfire deal, or you must face the possibility
of a treaty which leaves them running free permanently.
But my fundamental problem is that I can't go under these
conditions.
Rumsfelb
I didn't know until the me eting what the proposal was and
that it would be discussed. You said you had this proposal and it was okay
with Henry. It was clear I was out of the loop.
I went back and had a good session with the troops. Brown is
staying wired in with the Chiefs.
Now for my memo. The first page just repeats the proposal.
The first proposal is for a fixed number instead of limiting them to
whatever is produced by a certain date. We think there is no problem
with SLCM's as MIRV'd, but we haven't staffed it out.
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS
LISART GERALD CRO
File scanned from the National Security Adviser's Memoranda of Conversation Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
SEGRET/NODIS/XGDS
-2-
On the nuclear-armed thing, the Chiefs back away some.
There is no problem with the modified IV. This is just a
different way to allow some Backfire, by not counting 115 Bison/Bear.
Kissinger: This issue has really never been discussed at the Brezhnev
level. He won't even know it's a problem.
The President: This is the first time I have heard of it.
Rumsfeld: The paper recommends the Modified or the Variant IV. Then
as a fallback, I personally would recommend combining the Modified and
the Variant, thus giving them about 200-250 Backfire. Then I would think
Option I is the most defensible, with an agreement on cruise missile and Backfire
by a certain date.
Kissinger: But what if you don't get a Backfire agreement by that date? Either
it cancels the whole SALT agreement or the Vladivostok part remains and the
Backfire remains free.
The President: The surface ship section of Option III is better than Option IV
Modified.
Rumsfeld: The problem is not that; it's breaking the 2400.
[More discussion].
The President: If Henry doesn't go, I think we have no chance for getting
a SALT agreement. I would never forgive myself for not trying.
Rumsfeld: I agree.
The President: I believe after Modified Option IV he should try III and
then go to I.
FORD
Kissinger: I have no problem with that.
GERALD
LERARY
[Discussion about using the IV Variant. ]
Rumsfeld: What if Henry went and tried IV Modified, and added Variant IV
as a sweetner, and if neither of those work, he could cable back; you would
call an NSC meeting and we would get to Option III that way and get everyone
on board.
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS
SEGRET/NODIS/XGDS
-3-
Kissinger: That could be done.
Scowcroft: You won't be here, Don.
Kissinger: What if we had an NSC meeting on Monday, when you could tell
me to use IV Modified, and then to add Variant IV if necessary. You could
say if that is non-negotiable, you are leaning to III, but you wanted me to
come back for instructions at that point. Then you could call an NSC
meeting with the substitute people because the principals would have been
forewarned.
The President: Let's do it that way.
Rumsfeld: I have a couple of points. The C-130 is ready to be billed to
the French. I wanted everyone to know, in view of our press statements.
The President, Kissinger, Scowcroft: Go ahead.
Rumsfeld: Also about nuclear modernization in NATO.
Kissinger: I have no problem if it is just studies, and if you go through
the NSC before you implement. I think we need to consider it at an NSC
meeting.
Scowcroft: I have reservations about Nike Hercules.
LIBRARY ;
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS
P/K/R
9:35.10:45am 2
14 Jone 76
K
I think d me have on urgent drivision to mole,
8 don't see hm 2 com go, in hight of the
DOD and ACD. A minns, which will have to
go to Jackson. The objetim init he that are
mished A an against in c face of agency
attry time.
I just din't industand ptin I. Either on
agreement face Mayor if the is wit subsequent
Backfiredral 02 current for C possibility of a
But my the ~s that
for personmently
under these conditions
P
Sagree. It would but end like my
c - agencies
RA
I chinit hum until the misting what
c proposal ares and that it would he drawnst
you 20ml your had twis properal & it who K w/
K. It was cliar I was antife loep.
d went bach & had a geread session w/ C
trops. Brown is staying wined in ev/c Chip.
Kow for my inmor Frest, age just upiate
C progoral. The II propisalves is for. a find
# crice whatever is promised by a date.
DECLASSIFIED
050 6/21/10; state lts 9/3/10
wa think there is no you w/ SLCNL MIRV
E.O. 12958 (as amended) SEC 3.3
MR # 10-119; #27
By dal NARA, Date 10/12/10
ent and haven't stoped and
One me armel ching, C Chrif ked any
stome.
There is no for w/ hard. iv. This is just
a did wray t & allow some Bahpine,
wit monthing 115 Bison /Rias.
(Desission about comming < Brins/Beard
This issue has rally hork have
e Buz level, He int here home thapas.
P
11 This 10 c 12t this & have heard fit.
LIBRATTY GERALD FORD
* KJANLITP statement L
13 far WSJ
(cerbith you
-
The paper Worl 02 Uniont IV, Term
failbook, & providelly world Marl
countring wod t V areant, they giving then
about 200-250 B orkline. Then & would
think Option I is most defensible,
againment by a date Urtain.
K But what if you dnit get Backjiou againment by
that enth E-eth it crunk C whole salt epekent
or C Vlad post - Backfix Numarine
he
P The surpace ship section B 0 phone ICT is
herter then opt II med,
R The prot is not that; it is beaking < 2400
( sure chrommin)
P of K disn't go, I think us have ins have
for acting Salt- I would when forgine
myself for not whing
R & Jagree
P I hime after hod Option II he shoul e
ty III + the 70 to I
K and prov N/ that.
(Deacussion about using HES IV) varient
R₁ what if + tried IV mod, added
Variout IV as a unever + if within of These
work, he coronld enhli bale, your world cncl
NSC mty + and would get & of ther E that
K, Cmuld be dre
cray of get everyout on bound.
S you won't be have, Dorr.
K1 what if are had an MSC with our Worday, when
som could tell the to use Zn IV word, these
CERALD STREET
add Varient IV if energing. you could sorry
if that non -vey of you learning to 11] but
your cranted neto come back for instructions
at that print. Then you cauld callan NSC
or/ C selstitute print because a pronogob
crowd have him foreurned.
P
hits the it that way.
R
Ihan a c angle of parnts. 130 is unly
to be brited toc French. I wanted every and to
Brow, in will of our press statements
P,K,S S
Go ahrel
R
also me. moderning atter in NATO,
K
Ihme no pub if it is first stuchis, if
youngs Chun c NSC before you songaliment.
2 think and mult insider at NSC only
s
I have exercition about Nite Here,
LIBRARY