Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

I

Introduction

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), negotiations that began in November 1969 between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) on the regulation of the nuclear arms competition between the two nations. A wide range of weapons was discussed, and the talks resulted in two treaties and several less formal agreements.

II

Background

The United States first approached the USSR in 1964 to suggest bilateral arms-control talks. At that time the United States had a clear superiority in nuclear arms, but there were indications that the USSR was developing weapons that could undermine the American position. This, along with the acquisition of nuclear weapons by Communist China, created additional complications for U.S. strategic planners. These two factors, along with an abiding American interest in arms control, led to a search for negotiated limits to the growth of the arsenals of the United States and the USSR.

III

Accords

The negotiations known as SALT I began in November 1969 and ended in January 1972, with agreement on two documents: the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty) and the Interim Agreement on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. Both were signed on May 26, 1972. SALT II talks began in September 1972 and ended in January 1979.

A

The ABM Treaty

The ABM Treaty limited the numbers of allowed weapons and radars and regulated their composition and location, but allowed continued testing and development. Both signatories agreed to limit the placement of ABM systems within their own national territories, and both agreed not to build any systems other than the immobile land-based types already developed or deployed. The signatories also agreed not to enter into any accord with third parties that would contravene the treaty. Verification was provided by “national technical means”—that is, the use of any remote sensing technology commanded by either signatory—which were thus acknowledged as legitimate tools of intelligence under international law. The treaty also established a Standing Consultative Commission charged with monitoring violations and considering further arms-control proposals. Although of unlimited duration, the treaty was subject to review every five years, with a six-month withdrawal notification time. However, in 2001, under the administration of President George W. Bush, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the treaty.

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