(SALT), negotiations that began in November 1969 between the U.S. and the Soviet Union 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.

Background.

The U.S. first approached the Soviet Union in 1964 to suggest bilateral arms-control talks. At that time the U.S. had a clear superiority in nuclear arms, but indications showed that the Soviet Union was developing weapons that could undermine the American posture. 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 Soviet arsenal.

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.

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 then 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 detective 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 6-month withdrawal notification time.

The Interim Agreement.

Under the Interim Agreement the parties concurred in limiting the numbers of strategic missile launchers on both land and sea to the numbers and types then existing or under construction, but they allowed for the improvement of those existing types. The agreement was to remain in force for five years, with a 6-month notification of termination, but both sides informally agreed to extend it beyond expiration.

SALT II.

The second round of negotiations, called SALT II, resulted in the Vladivostok Accord of November 1974 and the SALT II Treaty, signed on June 18, 1979. The former placed limits, for the first time, on the total numbers of strategic launchers and of U.S. strategic bombers.

The SALT II Treaty set precise limits on the numbers of each type and subtype of strategic launcher and specifically defined each type. It provided for destruction of all launchers beyond the number allowed, but permitted the testing and development of certain kinds of launchers. Verification was provided once again by national technical means, with no on-site inspection. The SALT II Treaty met with stiff resistance when it was presented to the U.S. Senate for ratification, and in January 1980 the Senate debate was postponed at the request of President Jimmy Carter in retaliation for Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. Although the treaty never entered into force, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union pledged to abide by its limits; it was succeeded by the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (see STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTION TALKS).        E.N.L., EDWARD N. LUTTWAK, Ph.D.

See also ARMS CONTROL, INTERNATIONAL,.

For further information on this topic, see the Bibliography, section 196. SALT treaties.