https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/073d49e1a9dedfc35b8611d1f4817d59.pdf 3a7ae1ae7784df83ec9189e08394607a PDF Text Text copy TOP *y SECRET CANADIAN EYES ONLY DS 6 / 4 5 1 FM WASH DC DEC 12/57 TO EXTERNAL 2 6 3 0 DEC 12 REF OUR TEL 2626 DEC 12 USA PROPOSALS RE CLOSER INTEGRATION OF ATOMIC CAPABILITIES IN DEFENCE OF NORTH AMERICA As the State Dept had Informally indicated in advance to us, Mr. John Jones, Acting Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, called me to the Dept today for the purpose of outlining USA proposals for the closer Integration of atomic capabilities in defence of North America*. General Loper, Chairman of the Military Committee to the Atomic Energy Commission, was present, as were reps of the Office of the Special Assistant for Atomic Energy Matters iii the State Dept, and officials from the Canadian desk. Jones explained the he was receiving me in the absence of Burke Elbrick, who has left for the NATO meetings. He began by referring to earlier discussions between Mr. Elbrick and my predecessor on Sep I9/56, when the State Dept outlined its plans for an agreement governing the use by USAF of the MB-1 Air-to-Air Rocket. This particular agreement was now in effect as a result of formal exchanges of notes between the two Govts. Jones said that the earlier meeting constituted the first step in the study of means by which satisfactory arrangements could be made to incorporate atomic weapons into common air defence of the North American Continent. The MB-1 Agreement which had been concluded on Feb 19/57, had been renewed on June 28 last to be effective until Jul l/58. 2 The USA authorities now wished to begin explorations in the first instance in USA-Canadian military channels of ways and means of bringing about a closer integration of atomic capabilities in continental air defence. (This intention was referred to in the most recent USA note concerning MB-1 Rocket overflight arrangements.) The matters they would like to take up in these talks would include£= (A) Ways and means under the Atomic Energy Act of supplying MB»1 Rockets to RCAF Interceptors} (B) The provision of atomic warheads to any Bomarc units that may be established in Canada} (C) Possible Canadian requirements for Nike-Hercules type weapons with atomic warheads. 3 '' These proposed talks would also include plans for storage of MB~I Rockets for employment by USAF Interceptors at Goose Bay and certain other points in Canada. The USA Navy is prepared to undertake separate discussions with the Canadian Navy concerning an item of .more urgency, namely, the Introduction of nuclear anti-submarine devises at the leased base in Argentia. 4 Jones indicated that before any steps are taken to initiate the proposed discussions through military Channels, the views and comments of the Canadian Govt were being sought in advance„ O O O O O O O O 000604 �Page 2 TOP S E C R E T CANADIAN EYES ONLY 2626 Dec 12 to EXT 5 As a separate matter, the State Dept wished to raise the question of the storage of nuclear weapons at Goose Bay for SAC, in order to improve the operational effectiveness of the Strategic Air Command. The USA request on this aspect was set forth in an Aide Memoire, the text of which is contained in my Tel 2631. Jones explained that the question of the arrangement for the deployment of nuclear weapons at Goose Bay was being taken up with us directly without prior military consultation primarily for the reason that long standing (XYZ) procedures have been in effect with Canada covering the clearance of SAC planes carrying atomic weapons. 6 On all the foregoing matters, it was made clear that the " USA authorities looked for an expression of the views of the Canadian Govt before any explorations through military channels are begun. I told Jones in reply that these proposals would be brought to your attention at once, but indicated that in view of the forthcoming NATO meetirig, and the absence of Ministers from Ottawa, there might be some delay In obtaining your views. 7 i raised the question of the relationship of the presentation of these proposals to any proposals which may be made at the forthcoming NATO Sessions. Jones recognized the clear relationship between the two, and said that the proposals presented to us today might have to be modified in some respects as a result of the NATO discussions, and that conversely, they might to some extent affect the proposals to be made in the NATO context. The State Dept had concluded, however, that these proposals should be brought to our attention before the NATO Meeting, primarily because of the long " history of close co-operation in defence matters, and our common responsibilities in joint defence. 8 The: question was raised as to whether the proposed provision of the MB-1 Rocket to the RCAF could -be arranged within the limitations of the present Atomic Energy legislation. General Loper replied to this, pointing out that the limitations of present legislation required JSA custody, but that this was one of the detailed matters which it was hoped to explore further in the military discussions envisaged. Presumably similar problems would have to be examined in connection with the proposed provision of atomic warheads to any Bcmarc units that might be established in Canada, and to5 the possible provision for Canadian requirements of NikeHercules weapons with atomic warheads. 9 In view of the importance of these proposals, and their political as well as military implications for Canada, I drew attention to my understanding that when the question of the establishment of storage for non-nuclear components at Goose Bay had come up some years ago, under the previous administrations in both countries, we had been informed of the internal constitutional arrangements which would govern the reaching of a decision by the President to author^ ize the use of nuclear weapons. My understanding was that while the responsibility of decision for their use lay ultimately in the hands of the President, there had been set up a direct chain of prior con-, sultation In which the Secretary of State was included which had to be followed before a final decision with respect to use was takem I asked if these arrangements were presently in force. General Loper said that under existing legislation and the rules of procedure,/the President had the final authority, and that he assumed that the oooooooooo �COPY ^ TOP * ^ S E C R E T CANADIAN EYES ONLY ' 2626 Dec "12 Ho EXT decision as to whom he should consult would be his. (I feel that this matter of internal USA procedure, though technically a domestic one,is in fact of very great and direct concern to a country associated as closely with USA defence as Canada is). 10 In reply to a further question on my part, Jones and General Loper both confirmed that the arrangement requested in the Aide Memoire for the storage of nuclear weapons at Goose Bay was similar to an arrangement already concluded between the USA and the UK Govt. On this point, my understanding is that the new element is that while arrangements are presently in effect for the storage of the nonnuclear components at Goose Bay for SAC, the present request relates to a request tor the storage of the nuclear components. 11 We are not proposing any distribution of this message. You will presumably, however, repeat it to the Minister at NATO Paris, where he can discuss it with the Prime Minister and General Pearkes. ROBERTSON � 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 CDNW03896 Title A name given to the resource CDNW03896 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "Untitled, TD No. 15A re: Nuclear Weapons/Canadian Forces," RG24-C-1-c, Box 24, file CSC 1888:1, 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