Date

Dec 9, 1977

Description

This request for authorization to sign Protocols I and II reviewed their history and included two understandings, one concerning nuclear weapons, which would be declared at the time of the signing. The Defense Department wanted to include a reservation on reprisals, but both the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the State Department believed that would be “unworkable in the event of massive and continuing violations of the Convention.” (The Pentagon would continue to treat that as a sticking point). As regards the attitude of the U.S. Congress, the State Department anticipated “no significant” objection.

Source

RG 59, George H. Aldrich Records, box 3, GHAldrich Chron April-December 1977

Document published in following posting(s):

Nuclear Weapons and the Law of War

Jun 6, 2023