Directive Sent to Cde. Roshchin, Soviet Representative, Geneva

Per Point 11, Prot. No. 70^[1]

Secret

Attachment No. 2

Geneva, Soviet Representative, Comrade Roshchin

Copy: Washington – Soviet Embassy

New York – Soviet Representative

It is considered advisable to send a USSR government memorandum to the government of the USA in connection with the disaster of the American bomber with nuclear weapons on board on the coast of Greenland (to be sent to you by separate telegram).

You should make a speech at the next meeting of the Committee of 18, using the provisions of the memorandum, declaring and emphasizing that flights of American bombers with nuclear weapons represent a serious danger to life and well-being of people. The flights contradict the generally accepted norms of international law and, in particular, the goals of the 1963 Moscow Treaty banning tests of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, in space and under water, and the 1958 Convention on the High Seas.

Underscore that these actions of the American Air Force enhance international tension, and enhance the threat to the peace and the safety of people.

Declare that a new disaster with American bombers will underscore with particular sharpness the need to halt the flights of aircraft with nuclear weapons on board beyond the national borders of countries. Further note that the Soviet Union and other Socialist countries have already spoken out on this with an appeal for just this at the General Assembly and the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee.

Take measures to issue the Soviet government memorandum as an official document of the Committee of 18.

Inform representatives of Socialist country-participants in the Committee of 18 of our position. Conduct work with representatives of unaligned countries, with a desire for the representatives of these countries to speak out in support of banning flights of aircraft with nuclear weapons on board.

Telegraph when carried out.

^[1] Translator’s Note: The following information is extracted from Protocol No. 70 of the CPSU CC Politburo meeting, finalized on 12 February 1968 and covering numerous resolutions made during 9 to 12 February 1968. A number of decisions were made during the meeting and listed in numbered points. Point 11 was for a decision made on 9 February 1968.]