ISRAELI NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-533-6-8-5
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: March 24, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: April 11, 1969
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/24: LOC-HAK-533-6-8-5
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. .20506
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE NODIS
National Security Study Memorandum No. 40
TO: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Israeli Nuclear Weapons Program
The President has directed the preparation of. a policy study on the
Israeli nuclear weapons program.
As a background for this study, a thorough intelligence study should
be provided, describing. our best estimate of the current state and
future prospects of the Israeli program. The intelligence estimate
should be provided on a selected basis to the named individuals of the
Ad Hoc Committee of the Review Group and of the National Security
Council listed below.
The policy should (a) discuss as specifically as possible the implications
of Israel's nuclear weapons program for U. S. objectives in the Middle
East, in arms limitation and in non-proliferation of nuclear weapons,
and (b) describe the principal policy alternatives for the U. S. and the
full range of possible U. S. actions in the situations we are most likely
to face. For instance, the paper might consider alternatives (a) in the
present situation, (b) in a situation where Israel is. h-nown by us but not
by the Arabs to have completed a nuclear device, and (c) in a situation
where Israel is known by us and by the Arabs to be ready to deploy
nuclear weapons. After analyzing alternatives, the.paper.may state a
viewpoint on a preferred course.
The President has directed that this study be prepared by an Ad Hoc
Group chaired by a representative of the Secretary of State and including
representatives of the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, the Director of Central Intelligence and the Assistant to
.the President for National Security Affairs.
.The paper should be submitted by April 25, 1969, to an Ad Hoc Committee
of the NSC Review Group comprised of Elliot L. Richardson, Under Secre-
tary of State; David Packard, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Richard Helms,
Director of. Central Intelligence; General Earle G. Wheeler,. Chairman,
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE .- NODIS
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/24: LOC-HAK-533-6-8-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/24: LOC-HAK-533-6-8-5
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE -NODIS
Joint Chiefs of Staff, and chaired by the Assistant to the President for.
National Security Affairs. The special committee of the National
Security Council will be comprised of the Secretary of State, the Secre-
tary of Defense, the Director of Central Intelligence and the Assistant
to the President for National Security Affairs.
Henry A. Kissinger
cc: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
TOP SECRET/SENS1'IJVE .. NODIS
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/24: LOC-HAK-533-6-8-5