JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY : NARA RECORD NUMBER : 176-10036-10226 RECORD SERIES : National Security Files:William H. Brubeck AGENCY FILE NUMBER : , ORIGINATOR : FROM : TO: ; TITLE : John F. Kennedy document Control Record DATE : 10/29/1963 PAGES: #J SUBJECTS : - DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : . CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 9/10/2000 OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : National Security Files, Box 383: Disarmament, 7/63-10/63. Box 4. 2 HW 49061 DBocld:326276322 Page 1
HW 49061 “eo, 5 uot , NS a g Becheck, | SECRET This document consists of _3 pages Number /% of 175 _ copies, Series A. UNITED STATES, ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY ad October 29, 1963 MEMORANDUM FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OF PRINCIPALS SUBJECT: Chemical and Biological Weapons The question has been raised as to whether the United States should enter into an arrangement with the West Germans under which we would furnish "standard" chemical munitions to the West Germans in support of a SACEUR requirement for a NATO CW retaliatory capability. Also the more basic issue has been raised as to whether we should support SACEUR's requirement for a NATO CW retaliatory capability. Serious political as well as military considerations are involved in the above issues, which raise questions concerning the desirability.of such action by the U.S. These relate back to the basic question of whether the transfer of chemical weapons to West Germany is to the net advantage or to the detriment of the United States. The U.S. would be setting a precedent with the transfer of chemical weapons to. West Germany in that we would be the initial source of proliferation of weapons which have been grouped with nuclear into the 'mass destruction" category. Also this country would be supplying the means for use of chemical weapons to a country which has acceded to the Paris Protocols of 1954 and declared that they "would not manu- facture any atomic, biological or chemical weapons.'' The problems related to the proliferation of chemical weapons, SECRET Group 1 NOFORN Excluded from automatic downgrading and declassification Docld: 327676322 Page 2?
HW 49061 SECRET -2- -to previous international agreements regarding chemical weapons, to possible conflict with U.S. policy regarding nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, should all be assessed prior to a decision to transfer these weapons to West Germany. In addition to the West German question there are other problems relating to control and reduction of C/B weapons which are presently being studied, and which require the -reappraisal of C/B weapons and policy. For example, The ‘Secretary of State has asked the ACDA to. study the feas- ibility of coupling a ban on biological weapons with a constructive international program in biology and medicine. In a Memorandum to The Secretary of State, dated’Sept. 11, 1963, I reported the conclusion that a first step should be a major re-evaluation of U.S. policy regarding these weapons. It would be premature to consider this ban prior to a reappraisal of the weapons :and policy. The memorandum also pointed out the political and technical difficulties -in distinguishing between chemical and biological weapons, and that a reappraisal should include both classes of weapons, particularly in.light of prior. international agreements. Recommendations - I therefore recommend that: -l. The Committee of Principals ‘take action to defer any decision regarding ‘the transfer of chemical weapons to West Germany until a reappraisal of chemical and bio- logical weapons has been concluded. 2. The Committee of Principals take action to initiate a-reappraisal of the utility of chemical and biological weapons ‘and the national policy which governs their use. . SECRET NOFORN Docld: 3276276322 Page 3
HW 49061 SECRET -3- 3. The Committee of Principals request the reappraisal be conducted by a study panel reporting to the National Security Council and comprised of repre- sentatives from the Department of State, Department of Defense, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, Office.of the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, and appropriate technical and military experts who could be brought in as consultants; and that the panel consider all the political, military, and technical aspects associated with chemical and biological weapons. William C. Foster Director SECRET _ NOFORN Docld: 32762763227. Page 4