Agreement
on Measures to Reduce the Risk of Outbreak of Nuclear War
Between the United States and the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
The
very existence of nuclear-weapon systems, even under the most sophisticated
command-and-control procedures, obviously is a source of constant
concern. Despite the most elaborate precautions, it is conceivable
that technical malfunction or human failure, a misinterpreted incident
or unauthorized action, could trigger a nuclear disaster or nuclear
war. In the course of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT),
the United States and the Soviet Union reached two agreements that
manifest increasing recognition of the need to reduce such risks,
and that complement the central goal of the negotiations.
In
early sessions, discussions parallel to the main SALT negotiations
showed a degree of mutual concern regarding the problem of accidental
war that indicated encouraging prospects of accord. These preliminary
explorations resulted in the establishment of two special working
groups under the direction of the two SALT delegations. One group
focused on arrangements for exchanging information to reduce uncertainties
and prevent misunderstandings in the event of a nuclear incident.
The other addressed a related topic -- ways to improve the direct
communications link between Washington and Moscow. By the summer
of 1971, major substantive issues had been resolved, and draft international
agreements were referred by the SALT delegations to their governments.
Both agreements were signed in Washington on September 30, 1971,
and came into force on that date.
The
Agreement on Measures To Reduce the Risk of Outbreak of Nuclear
War between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics covers three main areas:
- A pledge
by each party to take measures each considers necessary to maintain
and improve its organizational and technical safeguards against
accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons;
- Arrangements
for immediate notification should a risk of nuclear war arise
from such incidents, from detection of unidentified objects
on early warning systems, or from any accidental, unauthorized,
or other unexplained incident involving a possible detonation
of a nuclear weapon; and
- Advance
notification of any planned missile launches beyond the territory
of the launching party and in the direction of the other party.
The agreement
provides that for urgent communication "in situations requiring
prompt clarification" the "Hot Line" will be used. The duration
of the agreement is not limited, and the parties undertake to consult
on questions that may arise and to discuss possible amendments aimed
at further reduction of risks.
AGREEMENT ON MEASURES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF OUTBREAK OF NUCLEAR
WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE UNION OF SOVIET
SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
Signed at Washington September 30, 1971
Entered into force September 30, 19715
The
United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,
hereinafter referred to as the Parties:
Taking
into account the devastating consequences that nuclear war would
have for all mankind, and recognizing the need to exert every effort
to avert the risk of outbreak of such a war, including measures
to guard against accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons,
Believing
that agreement on measures for reducing the risk of outbreak of
nuclear war serves the interests of strengthening international
peace and security, and is in no way contrary to the interests of
any other country,
Bearing
in mind that continued efforts are also needed in the future to
seek ways of reducing the risk of outbreak of nuclear war,
Have
agreed as follows:
Article 1
Each
Party undertakes to maintain and to improve, as it deems necessary,
its existing organizational and technical arrangements to guard
against the accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons under
its control.
Article 2
The
Parties undertake to notify each other immediately in the event
of an accidental, unauthorized or any other unexplained incident
involving a possible detonation of a nuclear weapon which could
create a risk of outbreak of nuclear war. In the event of such an
incident, the Party whose nuclear weapon is involved will immediately
make every effort to take necessary measures to render harmless
or destroy such weapon without its causing damage.
Article 3
The
Parties undertake to notify each other immediately in the event
of detection by missile warning systems of unidentified objects,
or in the event of signs of interference with these systems or with
related communications facilities, if such occurrences could create
a risk of outbreak of nuclear war between the two countries.
Article 4
Each
Party undertakes to notify the other Party in advance of any planned
missile launches if such launches will extend beyond its national
territory in the direction of the other Party.
Article 5
Each
Party, in other situations involving unexplained nuclear incidents,
undertakes to act in sucha manner as to reduce the possibility of
its actions being misinterpreted by the other Party. In any such
situation, each Party may inform the other Party or request information
when in its view, this is warranted by the interests of averting
the risk of outbreak of nuclear war.
Article 6
For
transmission of urgent information, notifications and requests for
information in situations requiring prompt clarification, the Parties
shall make primary use of the Direct Communications Link between
the Governments of the United States of America and the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics.
For
transmission of other information, notification and requests for
information, the Parties, at their own discretion, may use any communications
facilities, including diplomatic channels, depending on the degree
of urgency.
Article 7
The
Parties undertake to hold consultations, as mutually agreed, to
consider questions relating to implementation of the provisions
of this Agreement, as well as to discuss possible amendments thereto
aimed at further implementation of the purposes of this Agreement.
Article 8
This
Agreement shall be of unlimited duration.
Article 9
This
Agreement shall enter into force upon signature.
DONE
at Washington on September 30, 1971, in two copies, each in the
English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.
FOR
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
WILLIAM P. ROGERS
FOR
THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS:
A. GROMYKO
|