110.11–DU/5–154: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Department of State1
secret
Geneva, May 1, 1954—2
p.m.
Dulte 36. Limit distribution. Moscow information eyes only Ambassador. Following is text of informal talking paper which I read to Molotov this morning, leaving copy with his translator.
Begin verbatim text.
- 1.
- I have now read the aide-mémoire of the Soviet Union of April 272 re the proposal for “an international atomic energy agency” submitted to the Soviet Ambassador in Washington on March 19.3 This aide-mémoire criticizes the proposal on the grounds that it would not substantially reduce atomic material stockpiles, or control the making or use of atomic weapons or remove the threat of atomic war.
- 2.
- These criticisms misconstrue the purpose of the US proposal of March 19, By its terms this proposal was not intended as a measure for the control of atomic weapons or for solving itself the various other problems mentioned in the Soviet note. Its purpose was the more limited one of initiating international cooperation in the field of atomic energy on a basis which would avoid many of the obstacles which have heretofore blocked any agreement. In this [Page 1418] way the proposal could contribute to improving relations among the cooperating nations and thereby to facilitating solution of the more difficult problem of effective control of atomic energy for military purposes.
- 3.
- Accordingly, the US cannot concur in the view of the Soviet Union that creation of an international agency to foster the use of atomic materials for peaceful purposes would not be useful in itself. On the contrary, it believes that such an agency could have valuable results both in encouraging closer cooperation among the participating nations and in expediting more extensive use of atomic energy for purposes beneficial to mankind. The US therefore regrets that the Soviet Union is not willing to explore this matter further at this time.
- 4.
- In view of the lack of interest now of the Soviet Union in pursuing this proposal, the US will feel free to examine the creation of such an agency with other nations which might be interested. If the Soviet Union should later decide that it wishes to take part in any such discussions, the US will, of course, welcome its participation.
- 5.
- The US proposal of March 19 was, of course, not intended as a substitute for an effective system of control of atomic energy for military purposes. The US will continue, as heretofore, to seek means of achieving such control under reliable and adequate safeguards. It is prepared to continue exchanges of views with the Soviet Union for that purpose, and will shortly submit to the Soviet Union comments on its proposal referred to in its aide-mémoire of April 27.
End verbatim text
Dulles