https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/66c9eb76c96e33d76b1883ae83587b20.pdf 1d9da8417a9422100f9054794eea0cc4 PDF Text Text 7e (b o A • •be & BGctimygmdisclosed underthe Access to Information Act i Bocumtntdivulgu e en vertu de la Loi sur l'acces a rinformation Copy of L -a J /2e oeek L -854* C II2 SECREZ The Canadian Ambassador presents his compliments to the Acting Scerotary of State and has the honour to refer to Ur. Murphy’s letter of February 6 which sought the approval in principle of the Canadian Covernmont for the overflight of Canada by Strategic Air Coxmand aircraft carrying atomic weapons in tee couree of a test programme between March and June of this year. It has normally been possible for the Canadian Government to deal with requests of this nature within a few days. In this instance. however, the Canedian Government felt it essential to give its fullest consideration to the possible effect which an extonsiveSAC test exercise over the next four mantes could have la a period of increasing tension over the Berlin situation. The Canadian Government was concerned over the possibility that a SAC exercise of this magnitude might set in motion a chain reaction of moves and counter-moves which could lead to a fatal. increase in international tension. This concern was heightened by uncertainty as to whother the test exercise had been planned as part of a general effort to convince the Soviet Government that the United States Government, was firm in its resolve to maintain the security and freedom of Berlin by the use of force if necessary. The Canadian Government folt that there was danger as well that whatever the purpose of the test exercise might be, the Soviet Government might interpret the exercise as provocative and the first step of a gencral mobilization of Western strength to bring pressure on the Soviet Salon. 2 000095 �DOWNGRAU TO SECRET ran a SECRET 2 LKS(nS)%) FEB 2 1 1935 Document disclosed underthe Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loisur l'acces a Tinformation■ E Wf? ■■ ; - . Finally, the Canadian Government was concerned that even if it wers possible to prevent gross miscalculation by the Sovict Union of the purpose of the test exercise, it might be represented by som elements of the press as a chow of strength. The Canadian Government is convinced, that such an interpretation could only increase the dirricultios of . negotiation of the Berlin problem and would net be in the beet interests of the Westorn alliance. • In spite of these concerns, which Mom to part tees removed as - a result of consultation with the United States authorities, the Canadan Government, after the tost careful reflection, has come to the view that • it would not be justified in withholding its support from a measure which ■ ■ would increase the doterront capability of the Strategic Air Command. . . The Canadian Government continues to bolieve, however, that every ... precaution chould be taken to the months ' inedintely ahcad to reduce the possibilities of miscalculation by the Soviet Union of Western intentions. In his press conference on Mreh h the President of the United States . expressed his roluctanco to authorise measures which might be regarded to ■ a porsod of tencion as part of a general mobilization. That roluetance is fully shared by the Canadian Government. ■ _1 ' - The Canadian Government understands that the test exereine under consideration is an extension of the exercise condneted last year for the ■ purpore of testing, within the concept of "airborne alert", the capability of the Strategic Air Command to keep fully manned and fully armed aircraft ■ to the Mr on a continual basis while carrying out operational procedures. It recognizes that for toe- desired pspo.se of the exercise to be net '. successfully, a detailed programme of flights over on extended period Mas to fee planned. The United States authoritios are aware, however, that . ■ when the Canadian Government gives approval to a general progrome for to®: . - x overflight of Canada by SAC aireraft, clearance for individual fligts will ws .3 000096 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act DocumentanbdanerbidelLoi sur l'acces a /'information •• L * (.> V “ : '4 Lid *s, waas . $ € d -3• . ".tl—lfh k .4 Msl—! RBATA SB 27 KS(814) ; be sought on a service to service basis. On the Canadian side the RGAF will be responsible for obtaining ministerial clearance, while no obstacle can be foreseen at the moment to the provision of the required Canadian clearances, it will be recognised that clrcumstances might arise in the four months period which would necessitate further consideration by the Canadian Government of the desirability of particular overflights and which could justify the suspension of the exercise. It is understood that technical discussions on the exact procedures for daily clearance of the desired overflights are continuing between the RCAF and the USAF. The Canadian Government would wish as well to be assured that no publicity will be given to these overflights in order to prevent the danger of a misunderstanding arising in the minds of the press or the public as to the purpose of the flights. References to last year’s test exercise in furtherance of the concept of "airborne alert" have appeared in the press. Other press stories have urged that a more comprehensive "airborne alert" should be instituted in order to convince the Soviet inion of the determination of the United States to guarantee the security and freedom of Berlin. The Canadian Government believes it essential that every effort be made to ensure that information about this exercise should nut be allowed to reach the press. Tils CANADIAN RSSYs nshington, D.C. March 5, 1559. 000097 � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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 CDAC02298 Title A name given to the resource Letter to the Canadian Embassy to the US Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 05-Mar-59 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived RG25-A-3-b, Volume number: 5911, File number: 50195-40, pt 3.3 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource LAC Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource Overflight Policy 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