In July 1971, Rowny became deputy chairmen for the NATO military committee.
He was appointed chairman of the mutual and balanced force reduction, a new group
established by Rowny.
He was then made the representative, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Strategic Arms
Limitation Talks (SALT), Washington, D.C. Rowny held this job for over six years
during three presidencies. He retired in 1979 in disagreement over SALT II with the
Carter administration.
In late 1979 he was called by then Governor Reagan who asked to meet him. After
the meeting Reagan asked him to come work for him. When Reagan was elected
president, Rowny became chief U.S. negotiator for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
(START). Rowny could only negotiate from weakness because of 15 years of neglect of
the armed forces, but President Reagan began a five-year modernization program of the
armed forces. A high priority was placed on improving C3I: command, control,
communications, and intelligence.
President Reagan appointed Rowny special advisor to the president and secretary
of state for arms control matters in January 1985. He performed this function until June
1990 when he resigned.
Rowny has continued his face pace in retirement. In October 1992 he published
It Takes One to Tango, his book on how five presidents dealt with the Russians. He
presently teaches courses at George Washington University on international negotiations.
He was also on the group that helped with the return of Paderewski's remains to Poland.
On 25 May 1993, Rowny was presented with the West Point Distinguished Graduate
Award.
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