What SALT I Was All About

Since SALT II will very shortly be signed by President Carter and Mr. Brezhnev, a review of the events leading to Congress’ approval of SALT I on September 30, 1972 will prove useful. It will give some insight into the complexities involved in negotiations of highly technical and political matters between two superpowers so different in outlook and governmental structure.

My comments are based on my active participation in these negotiations from the outset to their completion, while I was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1970-74). In this capacity I participated in all of the National Security Council meetings and attended other meetings held by the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the Secretary of Defense, as well as with Mr. Kissinger in his role as chairman of the Verification Panel, about which more later.

AM

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Admiral Thomas H. Moorer

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Since SALT II will very shortly be signed by President Carter and Mr. Brezhnev, a review of the events leading to Congress’ approval of SALT I on September 30, 1972 will prove useful. It will give some insight into the complexities involved in negotiations of highly technical and political matters between two superpowers so different in outlook and governmental structure.

My comments are based on my active participation in these negotiations from the outset to their completion, while I was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1970-74). In this capacity I participated in all of the National Security Council meetings and attended other meetings held by the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the Secretary of Defense, as well as with Mr. Kissinger in his role as chairman of the Verification Panel, about which more later.