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Agreement on Measures to Reduce the Risk of Outbreak
of Nuclear War Between the USA and the USSR
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, 1971
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

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