ABSTRACT
The Senate has been in the forefront of efforts to devise practical measures to strengthen controls over nuclear weapons and to reduce the risk that the weapons might ever be used due to accident or miscalculation. In July 1984, the two nations signed an accord concerning upgrading the Hotline. Under this agreement, a facsimile capability will be added to the Hotline, enabling each country for the first time to transmit and receive graphic materials. In addition, the planned improvements will allow the US and Soviet heads of government to exchange messages more rapidly than they can with the existing teletype. The agreement specifies that the US Government will sell the Soviet Union at cost the equipment necessary to install and maintain the improved Hotline. One important risk reduction measure which was cited in our 1982 legislation, but not acted on by the Administration, was the establishment of risk reduction centers.
