1972, News: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I)

On May 26, 1972 Richard Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev sign the SALT I treaty in Moscow, as well as the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and other agreements. SALT I is the name for the treaties that emerged from the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks in 1972.

This dialogue between the Soviet Union and the United States of America aimed to limit the growth of strategic weapons and the strength of the nuclear arsenals of both superpowers.

Athi Karjalainen, left, Finalnd's foreign minister, toasts Gerard C.Smith, center,
chief U.S. negotiator, and Vladimir S. Semonov, right, chief Soviet negotiator,
at the opening ceremony in Helsinki (17 November 1969)

Signing of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Treaty in the Kremlin, Moscow,
USSR, on May 26th, 1972. Principle signatories: Richard Nixon,
President of the United States and Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of
the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

United States President Richard M. Nixon shaking hands with
the General Secretary of the Community Party of the Soviet Union Central Committee,
Leonid Brezhnev after signing the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty
 at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 26, 1972.

The first session talks between the Soviet Union and the United States were held in Helsinki from 17 to 22 November 1969. The discussions on the content of the Convention were held in Vienna. On May 20, 1971 Moscow and Washington came to an agreement in terms of restricting the development of anti-ballistic missile systems, but there was no agreement on the limitation of missiles intended for offensive tasks. This succeeded in 1972. On May 26, 1972 the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Leonid Brezhnev and U.S. President Richard Nixon signed a treaty to limit anti-ballistic missile systems and an interim treaty on the limitation of strategic offensive weapons.

 
President Nixon comment on SALT I


SALT I talks (1970)