Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I & II)
SummaryThe Strategic Arms Limitation Talks were a part of the détente period. Their purpose was to basically not have so many nuclear weapons and ICBMs in the world. SALT I was signed, SALT II was interrupted by the Soviets invading Afghanistan
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"SALT II is a solid treaty. Ensuring compliance with its terms will not be a matter of trust. We have highly sophisticated, national technical means carefully focused on the Soviet Union to ensure that the treaty is verifiable.
This treaty is the most important step ever taken to control strategic nuclear arms. It permits us to strengthen our defense and to preserve the strategic balance at lower risk and lower cost. During the past few years, we have made real increases in our defense expenditures to fulfill the goals of our 5-year defense plan. With SALT II, we can concentrate these increases in areas where our interests are most threatened and where direct military challenge is most likely.
The rejection of SALT would seriously compromise our Nation's peace and security."
President Jimmy Carter