Date

Aug 22, 1977

Description

State Department officials prepared a memorandum on South African nuclear issues for Deputy Secretary Christopher to send to President Carter. Whether Carter received it in this form, or at all, is not known. The report discussed the state of play concerning Pretoria’s assurances, the possibility that the U.S. could be charged with “complicity” by privately accepting the assurances, the Kalahari site’s negative implications for non-proliferation, and what needed to be done to “make our progress to date more effective and credible.” The latter would include “early NPT ratification,” “dismantlement (or international inspection) of the Kalahari site,” and “rapid imposition of safeguards” on the enrichment plant at Valandiba. The Department was developing “detailed diplomatic options” for working with allies and approaching the South African government.

Source

RG 59, Records of Policy Planning Director Anthony Lake, box 17, TL Sensitive 7/1 thru 9/30/77

Document published in following posting(s):

The Discovery of South Africa’s Secret Nuclear Test Site, August 1977

Oct 26, 2023