https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/d54b6deb213638bf45db8471fde5f64b.pdf 2c6091e7f28e8e456abb2b1c43fab37d PDF Text Text O/SSEA. O/USSEA. Parl Sec. Press Office Info Div. J iyf±le .Document Document disclose^ disclosed under the Acces$,to Access.to InLarmc Information Act Vacc% a_ ormation ^ * V ^ M W u * i WMhWe%TM$r RETURN TO Div. ssc Disarmament Div. O/PCL, « Mil. AFFAIRS Circ. Diary Mareh 1 7 , 19&9. M_-.ORAi;DnM FOR THS. KIMSflSR Ant^Ba-rliatic Missiles \xiyi-*l\ j. - Oa Friday, March .14, President lllxon announced bis decision oa a substantial modification of the Sentinel prograsaa© (originally announced bj Secretary KcBaBara in September, 196?) which will place priEary emphasis on the measured construction of a system to protect the United States deterrent and in particular its second strike weapons {Himitei-en Missiles) as well as bcnaber bases and cona-and and control centres, f o be known as "safeguard" th© new system will also be designed to provide a defence against accidental attack as well as substantial protection against the kind of attack which the Chinese Co-smurdsts roay be capable of launching throughout the 1970*s* the programme will involve a phased deployment schedule and will be subject to review on an annual basis in the light of: (a) the magnitude of the threat prevailing at the tis-e whether from the uSSt or froa China, (b) the evaluation of arras control talks with the USSR, (c) technological developments* Construction in the initial phase will take place at two of the large Minute-ten sites ia Montana and Borth Dakota* Construction of the radars and deployment of the cassiies at the first of these sites are scheduled to be completed in 1973* In shaking his announcement the President said that he had decided against deployment for the sjassive defence of cities on the grounds that it was not feasible and because such heavy deployment could be regarded as provocative in the sense of "making credible a first strike capability against the USSR*** He decided against any further delay because the systesa planned at present would only become operational in 1973 by which titse it would be essential in order to counter ths threat the United States expects to .exist at that tiae* He had ruled out any increase in United States offensive forces because such a step could be regarded as provocative and could have an escalatory effect in the arias race. The President expressed the view that by defending united States deterrent forces only, progress towards strategic arass lirdtation talks with the USSR should not be prejudiced* He said the USSR should, interpret • « • *C �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information - 2 - S5G5JST his decision as the opposite of escalation since the United States was shifting deployment away froa tiie cities* He said the Soviet Union was well aware of the differences between on offensive and a defensive posture. He remarked that the Soviet Union had 67 AS! sites around Moscow and United States intelligence indicated that the Soviet systeat was now directed against China as well as against the United States* He noted that when the Soviet Union had deployed its own ABM system it had rejected the idea that this constituted escalation of the ar&s race. The United States earlier decision to proceed with Sentinel had also not prevented the Soviet Union front initiating their suggestion for strategic aras limitation talks last summer* On the prospects for SALT the President said the United States was conducting talks with the USSR on a number of subjects but the point had not yet been reached where a staaiait aeeting would be useful nor did the President think that such a aeeting would take place in the near future. When strategic talks were undertaken the United States would be prepared to consider both offensive and defensive weapons but the iacediate purpose would be to reach an agreement to ffceese weapons levels rather than to reduce them* Ira-plications for Ganadaa Advance notification of the United States decision was received on Friday in the form of a letter to our Ambassador to HATO froa the United States Pensanent Representative* (See attached SATO telegram 731 of l-larch 14.),* The .Sinister of Defence, Kr* Cadieux, was interviewed by the GBG at 1:00 p»ta* on Friday and he based his reiaarks largely on the text of prepared answsrs to questions which we forwarded to you under cover of our fsemorandia- of March 13 (copy of notes used by Mr. Cadieux during interview is attached). At the tice of the interview we had not received the telegram fross HATO but as you will observe, Hr* Cadieux indicated that we are keeping in clo3S touch with the United States on ABM developt-Qnts to detsrsine what the implications are for Canada and how our interests can best be served. Apparently he was not asked directly whether Canada had received advance inforaatlon regarding the United States decision* ^e shall be examining with the Department of national Defence the implications for Canada for the proposed sew deployment. Our own preliiainary assessment is that by placing priciary emphasis on the protection of the United States deterrent forces the new United States proposal seens less likely to lead to escalation of the nuclear azss race than would have been 3 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information -3 - SBCRBT the case if the President had proceeded with the plans of the Johnson A-tainistration* The President clearly has attespted to defuse the intense political controversy by placing tho ASM deployment clearly in the context of the strategy of deterrence which has the added attraction fron the doraestic point of view of deploying the c&ssiles away faros urban areas. The President has also made clear that ths new prograsasie will be subject to annual review in the light of changing assessments of the threats the progress of talks on strategic weapons with the USSR; and technological developments* It is described as a Einimum programs which would permit changes ao ti_se goes on. To the extent that AG., defenc© will iaprova the protection afforded the United States strategic deterrent forces, Western, Including Canadian security should be improved* It has been consistent Canadian policy to cooperate with ths United States in the protection of the deterrent and now that ABE. deployment has been placed saore directly in that context the question of future Canadian cooperation with the United States rsay becoae core pressing* As you are aware the United States for soae time has taken the view that air defence and space defence are eleaaents of the single problem and that eo_a__u_d and control of aerospace defence should be coordinated preferably through HORAD. In our view the new United States proposal need not be escalatory unless the Soviet Union feels that it ^just develop a capacity to overcome the new United States ABM defences* Moreover the Presidents announceKeiit that he does not intend to increase the nuisber of offensive isissiles can be interpreted as constituting a unilateral strategic anas limitation iseasure* The President obviously had gone out of his way to reassure the Soviet Union that its decision ia not designed to bring about an escalation of the aros race* In addition to not increasing the nusber of offensive •missiles the prograsase will be reviewed annually ia the light of aot only the threat but the progress in argr talks on strategic arms Hesitation. Finally the location of the AS. sites in Montana and Horth Dakota would appear to have reduced the possible dangers to Canadian populated areas which was a source of concern in the context of their original plans for doploy_._nt. We will of course wish to keep in touch with the United States with a view to reducing the possible effects of explosions of AEM r s over Canada* To provide against the possibility that you Kay be asked a question on this raatter ia the House today we are attaching a possible reply for your use* K.C \AAyy000009 �m&/MR^l<FS®&^ty¥Mccessto O/SSEA O/USSEA Information Act - Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information Parlt.See. Press Office Information Division Disarmament Division Circulation Diary File Hard. 17, 1969* AMIXCXPATED QUESTION HOUSE QF SSM33S_i's j^gg^s comms ®** 33 Adssiiiietratioa has announced i t s it-fesntien t o proceed with the d e ^ y g s - i t of ths Senfcie&l enti~ballietic Esissile syistea* What i s the position of the Canadian Goveri-_sent on t h i s important question? the &.mdi-_n Govier-rosnt was inforsasd In advance of ftpetsl_tei-t Hixoa's decision t o change the original plans for the deplcyEseBt of the Sentinel ABM System in order t o plaoe prisary ©aphasia on the protection t o be afforded bjy an IISS gystoa t o the SS strategic deterrent ferees located i n Hortt- Aseriea* 3_ie President tsade clear that t h i s new deployment will not require the p l a c i d of raissll© and radar s i t e s d o s e t o major US c i t i e s . With regard to the defence aspects of the -.resident**. decision, «e have bass, i n close touch with th© OS oa ABM developaentB to ascertain what the i n d i c a t i o n s of at- ASK urates sight I s for Canada and how our interests could best be served. For i t s part, tbe US has bean fully co-operative aad forthde-dBg i n keeping the Canadian Govarssent ittforiaed on ASM developsioats within the cozJteKt of the close relationship i a the defence area which bas been built up over the yeara* Canada will be discussing with the -8S tbe isaplicatlone of the President* s • • • »2 000010 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information - 2 - decision. In particular we will wish to review with ths US the poaolhyLo effects of any explosion of AB% over Canadian territory with a view to avoiding to the fullest extent possible dasage occurring in Canada* With regard to the Iroader questions of arsa control and diearsKoent, the Canadian Cbveraffieat*s strong support for strategic eras limitation talks has toea repeatedly stressed. We have bsea very1 concerned about any dev-^cpaent which night lead to a further escalation la the __ms rae© or which night prejudice the opening or success of strategic araa limitation talks* if® therefore attach ths greatest issportaaee to the eaphaala which the President has given to preventing i t s decision fro?a loading to an escalation in the anas race* The -Resident has also gone out of his way in this contract to reassure the Soviet Union and to nag^rlin© the importance the USA attaches to reaching an agreement with the USJJS on strategic eras liadtatlon* The importance whit& tho Canadian Oovernaent attaches to j^oeeadlsg vdth the opening of strategic arae liaitatioa talks at the earliest possible date has been saade known publicly, for e_aH.pl© In qy statosaent at the Ikjited fiatione Geosml As3eobly, end has since been reiterated several tlass and aost recently through existing facilities for consultation. 000011 �Document.disclosed, under the Access to Information Act -..,, " , Document "divulgue en vertu de \a Loi sur l'accesra {'information - U.S.. ABM SYSTEM ( i i QUESTION: i, > i ANSWER: X^The United States AdEihistf'ation has^announced "X: >A . •: Its intention to proceed with the deploy^errt 'At, •; u : \. , .tbe\Sehtinel ABM S|ystef~.p .Isxthe1 Canadian; ScveriBaefit ^% new'prepared to state Its: position In respect of v".. *' . . -_BM def ence _ii North*America? X •••• -'''.xV *>-. - * When the l-IQRADxA^peei-eht was* renewed, last year* 'we • p said that the renewal did not Invplye ,in any pway a Canadian'coans_itftentx.to ^articipat^e'in ah active. - < '.*''.K'..ballistic'foidsile• defence,*''-'•• ". •'.'*;"*""'-• "•.'""> f*r'• •'• to the jpreliffilnary stag© in the develcpinent of . ,. theXUnitedXStates plans, *and the^B3>ll^''-ra^^r^pld''-';.,' , •{•• advance of techhologyi It; was considered advisable . :^not to.try in -the .context of the renewalpof KORAD to .,deal vdth'the relationskiip. of the ABM question to ( > . v '*'ove^*sil ;North American defChce "snd to Canada1 s 'Co-" \. •X- opeiratibn with the U*$*, in that enterprise.,'The • • A x x1 Canadian .Govefcjainent i s keeping'in close touch wit-iX the 'United'- States on ABM deVelopiaehts to de%erBdnfe' „ •;' y • • .what the.iiapiications.are' fo_* Canada.'hnd• how our _•"*"'' ; x Interests can' best, be. served* For i t s .party, the A',,. iUnitedj Statee has -been' fully^.cooperative anidX forth-. X •.', ...^eoniing In keeping 1&e*Camdi-m,'(3overnB ,ty . of. developments within the context of the close re*.. • v x .latlohs in the defence : arca which have, been built-up,^ *:".t ' y over^the years*,, •" * • • : • X>X * ' -'v. '•' " QUESTIONS • • ' • . ' • : • : ••_••'.••,. . ' * • • • ' . • , - • ' ; . . "..-•' *i • • . ' • " " . . ' *••*'•' •••'-•"*,. • . . * , - A . - yt : • • / •*'•». . . . u " • - • • ' • . ''•**^sXthe*Gen_i^n-*GxWer--neit-t. been in touch with the "«^)0012 X .. (Cove*rnineht to 'esqpress/itg- views"on the 'question,of tt y deplpyineht'of the.Sentinei Systeffi? - ,.; * _* X-"*'* ' . . .t �: ._ ANSWER: .'•'••^ A'/ •','/"•' -.,'. "•*'• **v .. •* • !• • 'Document disclosed under* the Aceessto Information Act _ '• *- As w i l l .be © v i ^ ^ - ^ ^ g a u W & n ^Tffd^ffc^^Jtfe ® Vinftkmatio ... the" current debate In She u . S ; , -the ABM question I s ' . \_ ,.• axhigbly coBjplex'^ bne'o_->hich'there are i_a_#aM'' •' X • •'" differing opinions,, bothwith Xregard to" the ABM as a . X- defensive < . weapon? and the 'implications. of an ABM, weapon' . . : "• .y deployment- for progress"betiraenVthe *y.S*Ai aifid U^S.S.BV* '_'•' X / r X •' x ..•»•'•.,•• in' resp'ect .t©' strategic arrag"' i&jdtatlons talk's * •' :'' ' .;• "' ••* . - • 1 With regard to th£-»defei-ee aspects,we have'.'been i n ' '•:••/* •*.••'• . "close, touch with the U.S. on ABMdevelopEeiitg t o a s - •". .* '•''•'.."'•'- 'certain what the implications of a deployment would be. ... for Canada and how our interest could:b§st be served, .. -, . XX For i t s parti.the U.S. bas'been f-tLly.c64bper-itlve arid-:' "' '•' A •'.. ; ; forthcoming' In "keeping the Canadian Government InfOrra'ed T : of AE£Tdevelopments within the context of the'close • .'••'••'• relatione I n the;defence area which'i^Spbeen Iniilt up, ,'.v. .-.J • -.''•... '• • ' -over the $ e a r s . A ' ' • , . ' ' • , • ' • *•:'•:•."' ' • --S'A- '..•••-• '• * ' y. * ••'. With regard to the broaderpquestion of tar_fls, control. ,*X. . , *-.-"•' ••*• ai^ disarmamentj . the Cah|d_„^ *• eiipport for 'strategic arms li__itation " t a ^ s has :been ' ' • ' , •„ ' . '* repeatedly stressed. We are ..concerned at.!'a-^etep*:1 ;. .**'*'.'./,,' X ..." which mi^ht prejudice the.success of those talks aid",:.. •_, -. . . y ' the previous1 f_?iJ_e><Mi-.ister had/this. very, imicb, In mind'*. x.i when he stated publicly oa September 22§ ;i%7, that he /• • „ . •• ' regretted -very .much that the U.S. had: considered i t • .. - .... ^necessary, to take-this decision. N e v e r t h l e e a / i t i s -r * x ' . ., '•'•._•• 'important to Recognise that the Soviet Union has de-;. y ployed a limited ABM system, and.has-been' prepared xfco -y..- -s s y, ' • enter into.strategic arms limitation talksxwitti;tKeU.,Si •' _ X rBStwlthsthnding: the U.S.A. previously -announced intention'•'.•' ,'.' ; to'deploy an ABM.^yeteto. -\A' '..* \ *. •(vi (MOBE); n <v r . • : / ; ' ; - * , , . ; 000013 �1 _^B I • L ^H ^_^_V * y ^ *;** .. •'•• XX. t ; Document discUKed under the Access to Inf ormation Aft - X P . Document divulgue en vertujde \a Lpi sur I'acces a.Vinfoftnatiori. *..*•-.'• . .-•.-. ,. * '.-. ! . ,-' ' " *"J ' , • •*!*•* • . -i . • ' : ' - , < * • - . - . ' i • • - : -..••„ x > . "-'. " . . - X , ->•.. -.•• ..••..>',-. " . . . •''••• .••••. x . y , t " . - • " • ' ••••• • > : •_.-••.•:. . - w x ** • -X' •______________[ • •"1 :•: •* . •$» > x '_3, - - • x.-» -v * •'•' - *.- •"•"•'/- .' :.*..;•*. ':•* x •'.••- *".• •* '•'.*•• • -• x.1".-• '_• *.. .'*•' i.-'-' • • ' v •?..' The Ganadian poeitioii ba this 'subject•is'w^'-Uidk'stoodV* - = "'.. w.and; in ahy event'there' ie no.-toubt'that the.'U_S*A*, i s ., : ..,-•"'" : ':fully cognisant of the implications pf^;the/A--H,'deCisib'_i''. i ">-'.'; '• A': X for anas control iand dlsarm^ent meas-tres,as -the." public •**• ''-. debate to the U.S. Clearly illustrates** . j " n ' v . •*; •••», - * • > ''....'*•.' ••'• r- ' .•-• X • .-'••• •'. * '' • > . ' • '• -. ••'..', : * C *. ,'••••• •Y . •-"*•' •*-. . W . . " ' •'•:• \;yy-'y ,~ ; : .,.*-,, . " i -._*„. ' • -» -.• * •'.".•'•.>• ?-•• r - • X *.. - X J* • •-.?.= . * , . • ' •"• - ' . - * • • • .vft'•.•••:'•".'. ''•"' * \ > •••*..• '•"**,' .- ; V T • \ * -, _ r_, ™ . - '-••* ] . - . : "••• : i * r * - *?*i. *• * , x ^ *. > ; • > ; • ' . : . * * „ <x *•*.; . ' • . : . • ; . . • " : • '•i .*•--*•' • • • -** - • X ' ' • '-" - "•'# -• - •_ ^ *i ; . •;„ ; * • :-. JP"~ .* * .. 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' • ' - . - * •,*•• H " , - ; . • * > • • , ' • - ' • ' • .. , t . x ' : ! ^ ; - _ . . • • ' • • . • ' . ' . ' . . . - ' • . ' •• • ' * : . « • • • -; . . . ' X , * - ' J • • * . - " * * " • , x - • - • * * � 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 CDBM00199 Title A name given to the resource Memorandum for the Minister Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 3/17/1969 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived RG25-A-3-c, file 27-11-7, "DEFENCE - CONVENTIONAL AND NUCLEAR ARMAMENTS - ANTI - BALLISTIC MISSILES (ABM) = DEFENSE - ARMEMENTS DE TYPE CLASSIQUE ET NUCLEAIRE - ENGINS ANTIMISSILES (ABM)," vol. 10357, part 5, Library and Archives Canada, (LAC). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource External Affairs Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource Anti-ballistic missiles Description An account of the resource ABMs 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