A joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of Defense to provide to the Soviet Union, on a reimbursable basis, equipment and services necessary for an improved United States/Soviet Direct Communication Link for crisis control.
PL 99-85 (S.J.Res.108), enacted 08/08/1985

99 STAT. 286 
PUBLIC LAW 99-85—AUG. 8, 1985 
Public Law 99-85 
99th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Aug. 8, 1985 
Authorizing the Secretary of Defense to provide to the Soviet Union, on a reimbursa-
ble basis, equipment and services necessary for an improved United States/Soviet 
[S.J. Res. 108] 
Direct Communication Link for crisis control. 
Whereas section 1123(a) of the Department of Defense Authorization 
96 Stat. 756. 
Act, 1983 (Public Law 97-252), directed the Secretary of Defense 
"to conduct a full and complete study and evaluation of possible 
initiatives for improving the containment and control of the use of 
nuclear weapons, particularly during crises"; 
Whereas the Congress directed that the same study should address 
several specific measures for building confidence between the 
United States and the Soviet Union, including an improved Direct 
Communications Link for crisis control; 
Whereas the Secretary of Defense responded to that congressional 
mandate with a report entitled "Report to the Congress on Direct 
Communications Links and Other Measures to Enhance Stability" 
in which the Secretary proposed several improvements to existing 
United States-Soviet mechanisms for the prevention and resolu-
tion of crises, including the addition of a facsimile capability to 
the United States/Soviet Union Direct Communications Link; 
Whereas the President of the United States presented the rec-
ommendations of the Secretary of Defense to the Government of 
the Soviet Union in May 1983; 
Whereas the United States and the Soviet Union commenced nego-
tiations on bilateral communications improvements in August 
1983, and on July 17, 1984, concluded the Exchange of Notes 
Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet 
Socialist Republics Concerning the Direct Communications Link 
Upgrade in which the two governments agreed to add a facsimile 
capability to the Direct Communications Link; 
Whereas the Congress endorses that agreement and remains 
committed to all possible measures to facilitate the resolution of 
international crises and to limit the danger of conflict; 
Whereas the Secretary of Defense is responsible for the installation, 
maintenance, and operation of the Direct Communications Link 
equipment for the United States; and 
Whereas the Exchange of Notes Between the United States of 
America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Concerning 
the Direct Communications Link Upgrade provides that the 
United States Government will provide to the Union of Soviet 
Socialist Republics, at cost, the equipment and services necessary 
for the Soviet Union part of the improved Direct Communications 
Link: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
10 use 133 
States of America in Congress assembled. That the Secretary of 
note. 
Defense may provide to the Soviet Union, as provided in the Ex-
change of Notes Between the United States of America and the 
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Ojncerning the Direct Commu-
PUBLIC LAW 99-85—AUG. 8, 1985 
99 STAT. 287 
nications Link Upgrade, concluded on July 17,1984, such equipment 
and services as may be necessary to upgrade or maintain the Soviet 
Union part of the Direct Communications Link agreed to in the 
Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the 
Soviet Union signed June 20, 1963. The Secretary shall provide such 
14 UST 825. 
equipment and services to the Soviet Union at the cost thereof to the 
United States. 
SEC. 2. (a) The Secretary of Defense may use any funds available 
lO use 133 
to the Department of Defense for the procurement of the equipment ^°^^-
and providing the services referred to in the first section. 
(b) Funds received from the Soviet Union as payment for such 
equipment and services shall be credited to the appropriate account 
of Department of Defense. 
Approved August 8, 1985. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 108: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 99-156 (Comm. on Armed Services). 
SENATE REPORT No. 99-49 (Comm. on Armed Services). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 131 (1985): 
May 16, considered and passed Senate. 
July 29, considered and passed House.