OT SG
BRIEFING PAPER FOR PRESIDENT'S PRESS CONFERENCE
16,
EUROPE
Nuclear Sharing
UE STION
Mr. President, does the Administration intend to make
changes in our present policy as regards the sharing of nuclear
weapons with our Allics, and would it not be necessary to make
certain changes to carry out General Norstad's plan for a mobile
NATO task force?
ANSWER
As you know, the present NATO system is that Allied, as well
as United States, forces in the European NATO area have certain
delivery vehicles which could, in case of aggression against the
Treaty area, carry nuclear weapons. The warheads are in the
NATO atomic stockpile system, as to be readily available for the
defense of the Alliance in case of need. This system, while
providing the NATO shield forces with a nuclear capability, is
fully consistent with the provisions of existing United States law,
While in the absence of a dependable disarmament agreement
we must always keep under review possible ways in which this
system might be improved in the light of changing conditions, we
do not have any changes under consideration at this time,
There is no relationship between this question and General
Norstad's plan for a mobile task force in NATO's European Command,
Such a task force could very well be established within the frame~.
work of the present system,
wer
REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHTD.
EISENHOWER LIBRARY
QUESTION
Mr. President, the suggestion has been made that NATO might
become the "fourth atomic power" of the West. Do you believa
this idea has merit?
ANSWER
As you know, the present NATO system is that Allied forces
in NATO, as well as our own, have certain delivery vehicles which
can carry nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against the
NATO
REPOSITOR Ka
;
chang
|
FPos etapehag
cr
COLLECTION Confrence
BOXNo. Z2
FOLDER CorrineMoltGO