Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 3.djvu/212

 98 STAT. 2584

President of U.S. Communications and telecommunications.

PUBLIC LAW 98-525—OCT. 19, 1984 (2) There has been a steady proliferation throughout the world of the knowledge, equipment, and materials necessary to fabricate nuclear weapons. (3) Such proliferation of nuclear capabilities suggests an increasing potential for nuclear terrorism, the cumulative risk of which, considering potential terrorist groups and other threats over a period of years into the future, may be great. (4) Current communications links represent equipment of the 1960's and as such are relatively outdated and limited in their capabilities. (5) The President, responding to congressional initiatives, proposed the establishment of additional and improved communications links between the United States and the Soviet Union and other measures to reduce the risk of nuclear confrontation, and has initiated discussions at a working level with the Soviet Union pertaining to— (A) the addition of a high speed facsimile capability to the direct communication link (hotline); (B) the creation of a joint military communications link between the Department of Defense and the Soviet Defense Ministry; and (C) the establishment by the Governments of the United States and Soviet Union of high-rate data communication links between each nation and its embassy in the other nation's capital. (6) The establishment of nuclear risk reduction centers in Washington and Moscow could reduce the risk of increased tensions and nuclear confrontations, thereby enhancing the security of both the United States and the Soviet Union. (7) These centers could serve a variety of functions, including— (A) discussing procedures to be followed in the event of possible incidents involving the use of nuclear weapons by third parties; (B) maintaining close contact during nuclear threats or incidents precipitated by third parties; (C) exchanging information on a voluntary basis concerning events that might lead to the acquisition of nuclear weapons, materials, or equipment by subnational groups; (D) exchanging information about United States-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics military activities which might be misunderstood by the other party during periods of mounting tensions; and (E) establishing a dialog about nuclear doctrines, forces, and activities. (8) The continuing and routine implementation of these various activities could be facilitated by the establishment within each Government of facilities, organizations, and bureaucratic relationships designated for these purposes, such as risk reduction centers, and by the appointment of individuals responsible to the respective head of state with responsibilities to manage such centers. (b) The Congress— (1) commends the President for his announced support for the confidence building measures described in subsection (a) and his initiation of negotiations which have occurred; and

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