https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/e36cd4dc6096d7fe0b8aec9a5c855a0d.pdf edbb2d2daae05d0e2654b6bfad1710b6 PDF Text Text Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information w tT' Ottava, January • , 1960. TOP 88CBET MEMOSAyPUM FOE THE F8IME MIMIBTEB Part I - Acquisition and Control of Atomic Weapons for Canadian Forcaa la Canada and Europe 1. It vill ba recalled that oa 15 October 1968 the Cabinet authorised negotiations with the United States military authorities la regard to the acquisition and (storage of defeaalve nuclear weapons for use by Canadian forces in Europe and in Canada. These discussions have taken place and a suggested procedure for the acquisition and storage of defensive nuclear weapons for Canadian forces vaa developed. Tha problems connected vith tha acquisition and control of defenaive nuclear vaapoaa for Canadian forcee vara revievsd by the CanadaUnited Stataa Committee on Joint Defence at a meeting held la Paris oa 15 December 1958. Aa a result of the deliberations of the Canada-united States Committee on Joiit Defence, a statement vas made by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on 20 February vhich outlined the Canadian government position. 2. During this same period the negotiations between the United States and Canadian Chiefs of Staff on the general principles regarding tha acquisition of these weapons were completed, and on 1 May the Chairman of the 000337 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information TOP SECRET - 2 united States Chiefs of Staff forwarded a letter to the Chairman of the Canadian Chiefs of Staff In which the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff outlined the general arrangements for the provision of atomic weapons for the Canadian forces. A copy of this paper is attached as Appendix "A". This letter suggested that there should be a government-to-governnent exchange of notes covering the general principles relative to the provision of United States atomic weapons to Canada and that this exchange should cover such things as broad requirements for United States custody and control, and Canadian responsibilities for the provision of storage facilities, security and the broad system of safety requirements. It further suggested that arrangements for the acquisition of nuclear weapons for forces committed to NATO should be consistent vith the NATO atomic stockpile concept. The letter further explained that the detailed technical arrangements pertaining to custody and control would be accomplished on a bilateral basis vith the United States commanders under which the Canadian forces would operate; such as, the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic for maritime forces, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe for forces in Europe, and the Commander-in-Chief, North American Air Defence Command, for the air defence forces of North America. 3. After receipt of this memorandum arrangements were then made to draft the proposed general bilateral agreement for the acquisition of 000338 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information TOP SECRET - 3 nuclear warheads for the Canadian forces. A draft general agreement has now been drawn up in consonance with the arrangements suggested In the letter from the Chairman of the United States Chiefs of Staff. This draft has been reviewed by the interested government departments and was considered and amended by the Panel on Economic Aspects of Defence Questions on 4 December. The Panel recommended that the ministers closely concerned with this question should be requested to authorize our Embassy In Washington to commence negotiations with the United States authorities for the completion of this note. The Minister of National Defence indicated his approval on 15 December, and approval of the other ministers concerned is now being sought to commence the negotiations. If and when this proposed agreement is signed, negotiations will then be opened with the Supreme Allied Commanders concerned for the detailed agreements for the acquisition and control of nuclear weapons and warheads, as follows: (a) with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe for the forces in Europe; (b) with the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic for the maritime forces; and (c) with the Commander-in-Chief NORAD for the air defence forces in North America. A copy ., tne pro**.* note 1. attached as Appendix "B". 000339 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CDNW01563 Title A name given to the resource Memorandum for the Prime Minister, "Acquisition and Control of Atomic Weapons for Canadian Forces in Canada and Europe" Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "DEFENCE - Canada-US Arrangements - Acquisition of Nuclear Weapons for Use by Canadian Forces," RG2-B-2, Box 23-24, file D-1-5(f), Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource Nuclear Weapons Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Canada Declassified Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource en Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 6-Jan-60