1st Session AUTHORITY TO ORDER THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS (United States, United Kingdom, France, Soviet Union, People's Republic of China) Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THOMAS E. MORGAN, Pennsylvania, Chairman CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI, Wisconsin L. H. FOUNTAIN, North Carolina DONALD W. RIEGLE, JR., Michigan CARDISS COLLINS, Illinois STEPHEN J. SOLARZ, New York HELEN S. MEYNER, New Jersey DON BONKER, Washington WILLIAM S. BROOMFIELD, Michigan JOHN H. BUCHANAN, JR., Alabama EDWARD G. BIESTER, JR., Pennsylvania BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO, California MARIAN A. CZARNECKI, Chief of Staff SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS PAUL FINDLEY, Illinois L. H. FOUNTAIN, North Carolina JONATHAN B. BINGHAM, New York CHARLES WILSON, Texas ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO, California DONALD W. RIEGLE, JR., Michigan YAY! GEORGE R. BERDES, Subcommittee Staff Consultant FOREWORD HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Washington, D.C., December 1, 1975. The material contained in this volume was requested of the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress by Hon. Clement J. Zablocki, Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Security and Scientific Affairs. It is expected that these materials will be of assistance to the committee and its members in considering various pending legislative proposals relating to the first use of nuclear weapons. THOMAS E. MORGAN, Chairman. (III) LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Hon. THOMAS E. MORGAN, AND SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C., December 1, 1975. Chairman, Committee on International Relations, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Subcommittee on International Security and Scientific Affairs will open hearings on pending legislation dealing with the issue of first use of nuclear weapons. Involved are complex and significant questions of U.S. policy with far-reaching implications. The legislative proposals introduced in this session of Congress approach the matter in various ways. In fact, the entire subject is replete with many preconceived notions and assumptions. It is obvious that there is the need to establish certain clear bases of discussion as a means of enhancing the effectiveness of the hearings. Foremost among the many factors clouded by potential confusion and uncertainty and therefore requiring clarification is the central issue of what are the prevailing circumstances surrounding any decision to use nuclear weapons in each of the nuclear weapons states. In other words, what are the bases of authority by which the momentous decision to use nuclear weapons may be made. Therefore, I requested the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress to review that question as it applied to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Soviet Union, and the People's Republic of China. Because I believe this information will prove helpful to the members of the committee and the subcommittee, I respectfully request that the resulting studies be made available in the form of a committee print. As always, please be assured that your favorable consideration will be appreciated. With best wishes, I am, Sincerely yours, CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI, Chairman, Subcommittee on International Security and Scientific Affairs. (V) |