https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/48638f1406a16eef03bf849e6d2be151.pdf 0252dc3e5fc102e70f4e305ee5c22c73 PDF Text Text SI* • &SC t-^Ss Pfi. rrJ '. • • . • .3/0.1- "• * / f OP SBCREy CSC 2196-6 (JS/DSS) 27 Jun 62 MMHOr^nduB las '., P Chairman. Chiefs of Staff Prohibition of the Use of Wuclear Weapons 1, Discussions between the Western Four are now scheduled to take place In Washington during the second week of July to consider possible modifications in the US disarmament plan. It Is very likely that the Canadian Delegation will press for the inclusion of a prohibition upon the use of nuclear^woaponi in "Part V o f the draft treaty. Part I Is concerned with "general objectives* and Is a sort of continuation of the preamble. It should be distinguished from "Stage I* which is the first phase of disarmament* 2, the DHD position has been that a "ban the bomb" agreement Is not a disarmament measure. It would have no effect upon military capabilities and no relevance In the circumstances in which tne use Of nuclear weapons would be contemplated. For the West to enter into such an agreement in good faith would be disastrous to Western security, fo enter into such an agreement In bad faith would be t o invite a devastating propaganda defeat. Consequently, the West bee no-option but to maintain the position that this is not a disarmament measure - which it ia not. _a. 3, From the Canadian point of view this Is more than a matter of our treaty obligations. .It bears upon Canadian national interests and security. In the largest sense it is a matter of whether or not our polioy on disarmament is to be based upon a responsible consideration of Canadian interests. U, The External reply to the above is that the "prohibition on use" Is related only to "general objectives*. Other such objectives include complete and general disarmament and the elimination of nuclear weapons. Having accepted these as practical and desirable we can scarcely object to Including this one. Moreover, If all nuclear weapons and weapons carriers are to be eliminated first, a prohibition becomes a purely academic ifsue. External also argues that by including this measure the Western Plan can be made more "attractive". 5. In our view, all this is beside the point. The issue is whether or not an agreement to prohibit the use of nuclear weapons is to te admitted to the agenda of disarmament negotiations. |f It Is admitted, it will stand upon tbi* agenda in all future negotiations* Unlike such measures ae cut-off or reduction.in stockpiles, such an agreement has no physical basis, ff one accepts the view that such a measure'is acceptable in the f u t u w subject to certain conditions, there lt no logical reason why It is not acceptable right now without any conditions. ' , 6» One must also face the fact that *ban the bomb* has a certain history, i In all countries, including our own, it has been the refuge of those W believe that one eanr solve problems by refusing to recognize them. ;/ . . »/2 "V A I v; • \ ,• ' ..• ' ' ' • - . •,'•..- 0 ^000380 ,' / �- 2 - TOP SECRET 7. Although it is difficult to assess the importance of the forthcoming discussions in Washington, it is virtually certain that our major allies will refuse tc consider anything of this sort. The result is likely to be another small debit for Canadian diplomacy, but this Is not the responsibility of DED. 8. The danger, is that, as has happened before, Canada will drift into a position without any clear and realistic consideration of what we are doing. It is all too probable that this defeated Canadian initiative will be added to the list of Canadian grievances and charges against the United States. One can anticipate that our representatives at Geneva and perhaps in Raw York will find it desirable to talk this up in ths corridors as evidence of our "independence" and it may very well appear in the inspired journalism which emanates from the direction of the East Block. 9. It is our view that the interests of this Department, and of the countiy, would be served by having this out with External Affairs at the highest official level. In addition to the specific issue there is the larger question of whether or not we are operating a responsible foreign policy based upon a consideration of our interests and the logical consequences of our actions. If this is to be resolved with External we believe it important that the DKD position should be that this measure Is contrary to Canadian interests, and not merely that we should hold off for the time being. 10. We have considerable doubts if it is possible to get very far by writing letters. One possible tactic might be to invite Mr Robertson and some of his senior officials to a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff. Such a meeting would probably not settle the issue but it might serve to open lt up. 11. We also believe that such an operation is useful and opportune as a first step in dispelling the fog which surrounds the issue of nuclear weapons for tbe Canadian force3* We have the impression that small breaths of realism are stirring in External, and it may be advisable to give them a little reinforcement. ORIGINAL SIGNED BY P. F, PETER G/C (P.F. Peter) Group Captain A/Director of Strategic Studies � 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 CDNW04449 Title A name given to the resource Memorandum for Chairman, Chiefs of Staff from P.F. Peter, Group Captain, A/Director of Strategic Studies Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "NATO Cooperation Regarding Nuclear Weapons And Missile Bases (IRBM)," RG24-B-1, vol 21469, file CSC 2108:1, part 5, 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 27-Jun-62