President: Let's see. That would include Minuteman.
Kissinger: And Poseidon and Trident. We would keep everything we are planning. The numbers will change a hundred times -- this is just an idea. Schlesinger might buy this, but he would want to insist that the bulk of them be at sea. [Talked about "The Fleet that had to Die."]
Naval warfare doesn't come easy to the Soviets. For us to tell them where to put their missiles would be unacceptable.
But you should hear all the arguments from the people themselves. You have an unusual opportunity to get a SALT agreement when Brezhnev comes. He will be afraid you will break out, and your ability to do this will diminish.
I think we should get a breakthrough in October, ratify it at the end of November and have it signed next summer.
President: If we follow this format, we need several NSC meetings.
Kissinger: We need one in September and one in early October.
President: I like specifics. Can we have charts which will show the alternatives?
Kissinger: Everything I have told you on an analytical basis is accurate. No one would disagree.
[Note: NSC meetings on SALT were held September 14, September 17 , and October, 1974.]
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