Directives for the USSR Delegation to the XXIII Session of the General Assembly of the UN on the Issue of the Memorandum of the USSR Government on Some Urgent Measures to Halt the Arms Race and on Disarmament

Per Point V, Prot. No. 99^[1]

Secret

Attachment 2

Directives

for the USSR Delegation to the XXIII Session of the General Assembly of the UN on the issue of the Memorandum of the USSR Government on some urgent measures to halt the arms race and on disarmament

I. Proceed on the premise that signing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will create favorable conditions for the subsequent struggle to halt the arms race, for the implementation of effective measures to ban the use of nuclear weapons, to halt the production of nuclear weapons, to reduce and eliminate their stockpiles, to limit and then reduce delivery systems for strategic and other weapons. The achievement of new international agreements on these important issues would enable the subsequent rallying of peace-loving forces in the interests of counteracting the aggressive policy of imperialistic powers leading the rapacious war in Vietnam and in the Middle East.

Explain that the Soviet government considers it necessary, following conclusion of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, to undertake urgent and effective measure which would allow for ensuring serious progress in the area of disarmament, first of all nuclear. Meanwhile, allude to the fact that both the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, as well as Resolution 2373/XXII/ of the UN General Assembly which approved this Treaty, call for conducting such measures.

The Soviet government introduces its own Memorandum from 1 July 1968 for review at the XXII session of the General Assembly, taking into account that this document, which was sent to the governments of all countries of the world, has by now been studied by all governments to a sufficient degree and discussion of it at the General Assembly could lead to achievement of concrete positive results. Lead work around the memorandum, emphasizing the special significance of the measures contained therein and showing that their implementation could enable the improvement of the international situation and the elimination of the threat of nuclear war. Explain that simultaneous or staged implementation of the disarmament measures proposed in the Memorandum could serve the cause of peace and the lessening of international tension, and become a serious contribution to the cause of the fight for halting the arms race and for a cardinal solution to the problem of disarmament.

II. Taking into account the discussion at the General Assembly and upon agreement with other Socialist countries, introduce a draft resolution for General Assembly review in which it would be emphasized the great significance of the measures contained in the USSR government’s Memorandum and would envision the conduct of negotiations on these measures among the nuclear weapons states and in the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee. The exchange of opinions with friends should be conducted on the basis of the following sample text of the draft resolution:

“The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 1653/XVI/ from 24 November 1961, 2162/XXI/ from 5 December 1966, 2165/XXI/ from 5 December 19661, 2289/XXII/ from 8 December 1967, 2343/XXII/ from 19 December 1967, and 2373//XXII/ from 12 June 1968;

Being convinced that the arms race, especially of nuclear arms, presents a threat to peace and to the safety of people;

Giving a report on the urgency and extreme importance of taking measures to halt the arms race and for disarmament;

Considering the need to apply all efforts to prevent the danger of nuclear war and to take measures to ensure the safety of people;

Striving to promote a lessening of international tension and to reinforce trust among states in order to enable the halt of production of nuclear weapons, the destruction of all their stockpiles and to eliminate nuclear weapons and their delivery systems from national arsenals in accordance with the Treaty on a complete and full disarmament under strict and effective international control;

Recalling that in the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons there is the obligation in the spirit of good will to conduct negotiations to halt the nuclear arms race in the near future and for nuclear disarmament;

Considering that, following conclusion of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, measures should be implemented simultaneously or in stages to halt the arms race and for disarmament;

Having reviewed the 1 July 1968 USSR government Memorandum on some urgent measures to halt the arms race and for disarmament;

1. impart great significance to measures to halt the nuclear arms race and for disarmament, as contained in the 1 July 1968 USSR government Memorandum;

2. ask the General Secretary of the Organization of United Nations to send to a meeting of the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee the “USSR Government Memorandum on some measures to halt the arms race and for disarmament” from 1 July 1968, and the protocols of meetings of the First Committee of the General Assembly relating to the discussion of a corresponding point of the agenda;

3. ask the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee to expeditiously conduct negotiations on urgent measures to halt the arms race and on disarmament, as contained in the Memorandum of the USSR Government from 1 July 1968, and to present a report to the XXIV session of the UN General Assembly.” 

Divert possible attempts to include in the draft resolution of the General Assembly the measures proposed by the Western power which are unacceptable for us, such as the halt of the production of fissile materials for military purposes under international control, the halt of underground nuclear tests with the establishment of international control, etc.

If, in the course of discussion, it becomes clear that our draft has not found sufficient support, do not bring it for a vote. In such a case, work towards having the General Assembly make a decision to transfer the 1 July 1968 USSR Government memorandum to the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee for expeditious review.

If objections are advanced at the session to the solutions we have proposed under the pretext that the Memorandum of the Soviet government is already at the Committee of 18 for review, explain that an instruction from the General Assembly to the Committee to discuss this document would enable a more productive examination of the proposals contained therein.

III. In the course of bilateral contacts with the American side at the General Assembly, explain that acceptance by the Assembly of the solution proposed by us on the issue of the 1 July 1968 USSR Government Memorandum would enable a positive solution to disarmament issues and in particular would create more favorable conditions for Soviet-American negotiations on issues relating to deterring the strategic arms race, as well as the peaceful use of nuclear explosions.

^[1]Translator’s Note: The following information is extracted from Protocol No. 99 of the CPSU CC Politburo meeting, finalized on 5 September 1968 and covering numerous resolutions made during 3 to 5 September 1968. A number of decisions were made during the meeting and listed in numbered points. Point V was for a decision made on 5 September 1968.