1J l I A t lJIJJ U A rity N D QL n By_ All Date •1•10 DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON August 10 1977 SECRET MEMORANDUM FOR MR WILLIAM G HYLAND Acting Assistant to the President for National Security A fairs FROM Warren Christopher Acting SUBJECT Response to Soviet Message on South Africa M - Attached is a draft response to the recent Soviet message on South African nuclear developments At-tachment As stated SECRET GOS U I Ai li lll' 1 1 V A rity D 7qJ n By All Dale 0•1•10 DRAFT I wish to acknowledge Mr President your recent communication which advised the United States that the Soviet Union has information that the Republic of South Africa is completing work on a nuclear weapon and is preparing to test such weapons Certainly the United States would view such a development in the Republic of South Africa or elsewhere with grave concern We agree that as permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations who are also parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation· Treaty we share a special responsibility for preventing the emergence of new nuclear weapons states and the proliferation of nuclear weapons The United States has taken note of the continued operation of a · pilot enrichment facility in South Africa without that nation's having placed it under the safeguards system of the IAEA However we have no evidence that would lead us to believe that the Republic of South Africa is developing or preparing to test a nuclear weapon The Soviet Union's statement refers to the existence of a test site in the Kalahari Desert We are closely looking into this and it would be very helpful to us if the Soviet Union would provide as many details as possible about this A rity 1' ND L n By All Date •1·10 - test site 2 - For example it would be helpful if we could be informed of the geographic coordinates size configuration and exact nature of the facility and any other information which would provide a basis for forming an independent judgment as to the probability of a test explosion For our part in light of your message I instructed my representative to raise with the Government of South Africa the question of nuclear weapons development and again to urge adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty The Government of South Africa assured us in absolute terms that nuclear energy in South Africa will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes We wish to point out our concern that such a serious matter was brought to our attention by the Soviet Union in connection with release of a press statement in Moscow The Soviet Union will recall that when in the course of our consultations on non-proliferation the United States has raised ensitive questions with the Soviet Union we have avoided public comment I can assure -you Mr President that the United States is prepared to seriously examine any evidence I A rity h f t n By AR Date 0•1·10 - 3 - the Soviet Union has for its assertions regarding South Africa We are prepared to exchange views and to bend our efforts to halt the spread of nuclear weapons wherever the problem may arise We believe that such an approach can contribute to the development of confidence between us and the Soviet Union on this important subject l