DECLASSlnl U I Au horily tJNth 2$tf3 J- -- - - - n - - - ' SECRET The record of our consultations with the FRG has been good on the whole until the fall of 1966 perhaps because we stood foursquare with them on the question of maintaining the MLF option under a non-proliferation treaty Consequently we engaged in high-level exchanges with the Germans in July 1965 prior to tabling our August 17 1965 treaty draft It was in this period that we discouraged the UK from tabling a treaty draft that would have outlawed an MLF Again in February March 1966 there was a series of President Chancellor letters concerning the treaty amendments we tabled on March 22 1966 Between these two in September and December 1965 Chancellor Erhard visited Washington and received assurances from the Secretary of State and the President concerning our continued adherence to the concept that the MLF was compatible with non-proliferation Mr Foster visited Bonn in July 1966 and talked frankly to Schroeder and von Hassel telling them that although US policy was unchanged he personally felt it made no sense to SECRET 1 DECLASSUU U Authority WOJ'2rgq3 SECRET - 2 - continue to hold out for a hardware solution that was becoming ever more unobtainable He noted that the chances of changing U S legislation which prohibited the transfer of US nuclear weapons were remote Negotiations in Geneva in August 1966 with the Soviets began the unfreezing of both the Soviet and US positions On the US side this meant giving up on the hardware or NATO nuclear sharing option On October 18 1966 the Secretary made the key tactical decision that we should submit the new language which excludes the option to the Soviets before raising it with the Germans and other NATO allies He reasoned that it would be no use to stir up the latter until we were sure the Soviets were serious Moreover all formulations agreed to with the Soviets are subject to consultation with our allies thus are not binding At the same time he authorized Ambassador Cleveland to report to NAC that US policy is 1 non-transfer to non-nuclear countries directly or indirectly and 2 non-relinquishment of US control over nuclear weapons The Secretary saw this as the heart of the matter and reasoned that this should forewarn the Germans to the direction in which negotiations were trending SECRET DECLASSUlt U 1- 1Authority Nfl OJ 2 ro ' SECRET - 3 - Any charge sustainable by Kiesinger that the Germans were not adequately informed must be based on the foregoing decision Soviets Once the new Article I was delivered to the oM consultations with the Germans have been continuous and as complete as circumstances will allow In response to the Kiesinger charges I think it best to outline the decision the Secretary took in October 1966 and defend it on the basis of his rationale B at that time Unfortunately we are now victimized by our previous record of staunch and forthright support of German interests prior to last Fall ACDA IR GWMoser aow 3 1 67 SECRET Authority 2 at 1967 January 12 _1967 At dinner given by Ambassador McGhee for senior officials of FRG Foreign Ministry and other ministries there was discussion of NPT particularly with regard to Soviet attitudes technological gap and the European option January 12 1967 Dept of State official and Miss Renat Baerensprung of FRG Embassy discussed nuclear question and report of FRG Ambassador Von Walther's conversationAgg Eoviet Deputy Foreign Minister December 29 1966 January 13 1967 J S Sutterlin DS Ambassador - Bonn and Helmut Schmidt Acting Chairman of SPD Parliamentary Group discussed value of NPT United Europe and ABM January 24 1967 DCM US Embassy Bonn handed State Secretary Memoire on satisfaction at amount of information being given German Government January 24 1967 ACDA officer handed von Lilienfeld Oral Note with summary draft NPT interpretations January 26 _1967 In washington Gunther Diehl of FRG Foreign Ministry discussed FRG concerns about NPT with ACDA Assistant Director De Palma DECLASSIFIED Authority 2 - 2 - 1967 January 27 _1967 Ambassador McGhee met with Foreign Minister Brandt and discussed FRG attitude toward NPT January 27 1967 In Whahington Mr Foster and Gunther Diehl of the FRG Foreign Ministry discussed FRG views on NPT January 27 1967 In conversation between ACDA officer and von Staden of FRG Embassy von Staden said FRG consulting other non-nuclear powers on covered safeguards also January 28 1967 In background briefing by Brandt to German journalists Brandt stressed that the US had kept the FRG adequatedly informed also commented on spin-off consultations with other non-nuclears January 29 1967 In Paris Ambassadors Cleveland and Grewe discussed NPT particularly with regard to NATO nuclear arrangements European option and safeguards January 311_1967 US Embassy officers gave Ambassador Schnippenkoetter Aide Memoire on Art and received comments on it from him February 3 1967 Ambassador Knappstein gave Secretary Rusk Aide Memoirs expressing appreciation for detailed DECLASSIF Authority IV 2 - 3 - 1967 information with regard to US-Soviet talks and for extensive answers to questions FRG has raised concerning NPT draft Aide Memoire raised further considerations regarding NPT interpretation February 7 1967 Ambassador Knappstein discussed with Dept Assistant Secretary Stoessel FRG problems regarding Article February 7 1967 US Embassy officers in Bonn discussed matter relating to Article peaceful uses and spin-off with Ramisch of FRG Foreign Ministry's Disarmament Section February 8-9 l967 Foreign Minister Brandt visited washington and discussed NPT with Secretaries Rusk and McNamara covering European unity safeguards industrial espionage and nuclear blackmail February ii 1967 ACDA Director Foster and Egon Bahr of FRG Foreign discussed spin-off and safeguards article of NPT February 17 1967 US Embassy officers in Bonn discussed with press chief of FRG Scientific Research Ministry Feb 9 article in gig 32 concerning German scientists' recommendations to PBS concerning NPT 1 DECLASSIMEU m Aumo wm - 4 - 1967 February 20 1967 US Charge' in Bonn called on State Secretary i gtgigzand discussed safeguards and peaceful uses issues and tabling of NPT draft at ENDC February 21 1967 Kratzer of ABC visited FRG Foreign office and discussed Art with Pretsch Director Bureau and others 1967 Ambassador McGhee and FRG npm Science Minister StolIbnberg have general discussion of NPT February 22 1967 In washington Minister von Lilienfeld presented FRG questions and objections related to NPT to Mr Fisher Februarv 22 1967 Ambassador Cleveland and Ambassador Grewe discuss NPT in general Februar1_22 1967 Ambassador MtGhee called on Chancellor Kiesinger discussed NPT left capy of preamble plus oral note with draft summary interpretations DECLASSHHED Mariam HM a January 20 1966 In washington Ambassador Knappstein and Mr Foster discussed draft Articles I and II of NPT January 194_1966 In Washington Second Secretary Alexy discussed with ACDA officer Kranich changes in Arts I II and which US intended to make in our draft NPT after opening of ENDC Februarg 4 1966 Ambassador McGhee and FRG Minister Schroeder discussed NPT and Pres speech of 1 27 66 to ENDC February 7 1966 Lahn Fonoff Disarmament Affairs responded to US request for FonOff's view on revisions to US draft NPT February 12l_l966 Letter from President to Erhard explaining proposed amendments to US treaty draft February 25l_1966 Letter from Erhard to President expresstoubts that amendments would exclude European option March 2 1966 Letter from President to Erhard reassured on points raised in Erhard '3 letter March 11 1966 ACDA officer Kranich discussed with von Staden of PEG Embassy our proposed revision in NPT draft referring to President's letter to Chancellor Erhard on this subject march 18 1966 Letter from Erhard transmitted to President via H Knappstein Thanked Pres Johnson for his DECLASSHHED Autho tym -1a- prompt reply of match 2 1966 in which he discusseJ Erhard's u L misgivingsabout amendments to of NPT iLt wantoifurther clarification DECLASSIFIED b Authority a 2 March 23 1966 DCM of US Embassy Bonn received from State Secretary gsttens FRG note on disarmament cm JMarch 26 1966 Letter from President to Erhard aim further reassurance re amendments tabled ENDC March 22 April 5 1966 In washington Ambassador Knappstein and Under-Secretary Ball discussed NATO nuclear sharing April 13 1966 In washington Dr Barns 1 Amb Knappstein and MI Fisher discussed Soviet and FRG attitudes toward NPT April 21 1966 In Geneva MI Foster and Amb Schneppenkoetter discussed German attitudes toward NPT May 6 1966 In Geneva Hr Foster met with Amb Schnippenkoetter and discussed status of ENDC negotiations of NPT June 22 1966 In Geneva MI Foster and Amb Schnippenkoetter discussed prospects for NPT at new session of ENDC July 1 1966 In Bonn Mr Foster and Amb Schnippenkoetter discussed NPT negotiations particularly as they related to NATO nuclear arrangements and vertical disarmament July 2 1966 Conversations between Foster uilh von Hassel and Schroder Foster indicated little likelihood of change in US legislation von Hassel hinted FRG may give up hardware solution DECLASSIFIILIJ Aumo w m I -3- Jdulx 5 1966 In letter from Erhard to President FRG supported NPT but sated MLF option must be kept open July 7 1966 discussed President's reference to need for compromise in language for NPT July 22 1966 Secretary Rusk and Ambassador Khappstein discussed non-proliferation July 22 1966 FRG Second Secretary Alexy and ACDA officers discussed US intentionsregarding NPT negotiations August 8 1966 Counselor von Staden of FRG Embassy and ACDA officers discussed current status US-Soviet NPT negotiations particularly regarding Art I August 10 1966 Under-Secretary of State and FRG Charge Georg von Lilienfeld discussed FRG interest in uclear sharing August 16 1966 Hr Fisher and Amb Schnippenkoetter discussed ENDC status and prospects August 264_1966 Ambassador MtGhee and State Secretary ggtens discussed nuclear sharing MLF September 7 1966 ACDA official Kranich and Mr von Staden of FRG Embassy discussed non-proliferation particularly option for nuclear sharing DECLAssu ru Authority 4 September 19 1966 ACDA Assistant Director De Palma and Mr von Staden of FRG Embassy discussed non-proliferation particularly nuclear option September In conversation with Chancellor Erhard Secretary Rusk reviewed session of September 24 with Gromyko indicated no progress made September 26 1966 In washington Chancellor Erhard Foreign Minister Schroeder met with Secretaries Rusk and McNamara and discussed NATO nuclear sharing and nuclear policy September 30 _1966 ACDA official Kranich and PEG Embassy Secretary Alexy discussed Soviet resolution on non proliferation at let UNGA October 3 1966 USUN DelOff and Brunner FRGMission UN discussed Soviet non proliferation resolution October 5 1966 Dep of State officer Garthoff and Mr von Staden of FRG Embassy discussed nuclear sharing non-proliferation and nuclear safeguards October 11 1966 Minister Lilienfeld and Amb Thompson discussed status of NPT negotiations in light of talks between Gromyko and the President particularly nuclear option question October 12 1966 ACDA officer Kranich and Mr Alexy Second Secretary of PEG Embassy discussed non-proliferation DECLASSIB mu amt-mm i October 19 1966 At UN Foster privately briefed von Braun on US-Soviet NPT discussions prior to briefing UN representatives of NATO nations on this subject October 19 1966 Second Secretary Alexy of FRG Embassy and ACDA officer Kranich discussed Netherland s'proposal for amending US draft NPT October 20 1966 Knappstein Katzenbach conversation Katzenback said there was nothing new since President-Gromyko meeting that we are limited by our own law which Congress is not remotely thinking of changing and that there will be no agreement without consultation with allies October 21 1966 Dept of State officer and von Staden of FRG Embassy discussed Soviet non-proliferation UN resolution October 26 1966 Foster Schnippenkoetter conversation on NATO nuclear force and co-ownership of nuclear warheads October 26L 1966 Ambassador Knappstein discussed current status of NPT with the Acting Secretary in washington October 28 1966 US Embassy officer and State Secretary r diystens discussed status of NPT and MLF November 18 1966 Secretary Alexy of FRG Embassy and ACDA Acting Assistant Director Gleysteen discussed Alexy told there have been further US-Soviet talks but no new developments DECLASSIFIEIJ Marisa 2212 83November 30 1966 In washington ACDA officer Kranich discussed with Secy Alexy of FRG Embassy UPI report that UK and US collaborating on new NPT draft told him there no substance to story December l _l966 US comments on FRG note on nuclear proliferation delivered orally FRG official reaponded orally December ACDA officer Kranich discussed current NPT negotiations particularly as concerns Article One with Second Secretary Alexy of FRG Embassy December 7 1966 Knappstein Katzenbach conversation concerning allied consultations and changes in draft language December 14 1966 Brandt Rusk conversation regrading European clause in NPT December 17 1966 Ambassador MtGhee and Minister Strauss discussed MLF and option of European nuclear force December 2Q 1966 McGhee Brandt conversation Article I language given to Brandt and exploratory talking points made December 21 1966 Kiesinger McGhee conversation regarding European option December 29 1966 Rusk Knappstein conversation regarding Germany's fears nailing Russians down to interpretation of NPT text meeting of US German experts assurances on European succession existing arrangements and NATO consultations Knappstein given informal memorandum DECLASSIFIILIJ 1 January 7 1965 Secretary Rusk's conversation with Ambassador Knappstein on the future of the MLF January 14 1965 Secretary Rusk's letter to Foreign Minister Schroeder on responded to by letter from Foreign Minister Schroeder to the Secretary delivered February 18 1965 Januagy 15 1965 US Ambassador discussed NATO nuclear organization with Chancellor Erhard February 25 1965 US Dept of State official and Colonel Winterhazer a senior planner in German MOD discussed ownership of nuclear weapons by Germany April 22 1965 FRG comments on December 8 1964 US views of British ANF proposals July 21 1965 ACDA official called in PBS Embassy officer concerning UK draft non proliferation treaty August 10 1965 ACDA officials and Berndt von Staden of FRG Embassy discussed NPT safeguards and ENDC September 3 1965 Under Secretary Ba11 discussed NATO nuclear sharing and Geneva NPT discussions in conversation with State Secretary Carstens in Bonn DECLASSIFIEU v warm1965 September 8 1965 FRG Counselor von Staden and ACDA officers discussed FRG attitude toward Fanfani proposal 0n non-proliferation September 15 1965 Ambassador McGhee discussed with State Secretary Carstens nuclear matters latter to raise on visit to Soviet Union September 21 1965 Second Secretary Alexy of FRG Embassy and ACDA officer discussed Soviet and FRG attitudes toward NPT September 28 1965 FRG Counselor von Staden and ACDA officer De Palma discussed probable course of non-proliferation at 20th GA in light of results of ENDC October 15 1965 Ambassador Cleveland and Grewe discussed non-proliferatiOn particularly and US and Soviet draft NPT treaties in NAG October 20 _l965 Counselor von Staden of FRG Embassy and Director of Dept's RPM discussed FRG attitude toward nuclear sharing as related to NPT October 22 _l965 Ambassador Knappstein and Assistant Secretary Leddy discussed recent developments in US thinking regarding nuclear sharing mu Authority 2 - 3 - 1965 October 25 1965 Ambassador Schnippenkoetter and ACDA Assistant Director Beam discussed NPT particularly Soviet motives at ENDC October 26 _l965 Ambassador Schnippenkoetter and Assistant Director Alexander discussed Spin-off and peaceful applications Nbvember 1965 First week Assistant Secretary Franz Krapf of FRG Foreign Office discussed nuclear sharing with Under Secretary in washington November Mr Foster and Ambassador Schnippenkoetter discussed non-aligned resolution on NPT particularly regarding loopholes November 16 _l965 US Ambassador calling on Foreign Minister Schroeder discussed NATO nuclear sharing November 16 1965 Ambassador Cleveland and FRG officials discussed MLF NPT and Special Committee December 20-21 1965 Secretaries McNamara Rusk Fowler and Erhard discussed nuclear sharing and non- proliferation December President Johnson and Chancellor Erhard discussed nuclear sharing and non-proliferation                     National Security Archive    Suite 701  Gelman Library  The George Washington University    2130 H Street  NW  Washington  D C  20037    Phone  202 994‐7000  Fax  202 994‐7005  nsarchiv@gwu edu