811.2423/11–3045
The Secretary of State to the Canadian Ambassador (Pearson)
Aide-Mémoire
The Secretary of State has the honor to acknowledge receipt of the Canadian Ambassador’s Aide-Mémoire42 concerning the procedure for bringing before the United Nations Organization the proposal, made in the Agreed Declaration of November 15 on atomic energy, to set up a “Commission under the United Nations Organization to prepare recommendations for submission to the Organization”.
- 2.
- The views of the Government of the United States with respect to the proposed Commission are in general accord with those expressed by the Canadian Government. In particular, this Government believes that Canada should be given representation on the proposed Commission. This Government believes, however, that it would be unwise to attempt to establish in definite form its position on the organization of the Commission prior to discussion of the subject with the Soviet Government.
- 3.
- It is the opinion of this Government that it would be desirable to discourage the Preparatory Commission from undertaking a detailed discussion of the proposed Commission. The United States Delegate to the Preparatory Commission has been so informed and has been instructed to take up the matter with his Canadian and British colleagues.
- 4.
- The Secretary of State finds it impossible to concur in the view expressed by the Canadian Government with respect to approaching the Soviet Government. This Government considers that it is essential, both for the successful establishment of the proposed Commission and for its effective functioning, that its composition and terms of reference be acceptable to the Soviet Government. For this reason, the Government of the United States plans to take up promptly with the Soviet Government the question of the establishment of the pro-posed Commission with a view to obtaining its cooperation in submitting a proposal to the United Nations Organization or at least its concurrence in such a proposal.
- 5.
- As the Canadian Ambassador is aware, the Secretary of State transmitted directly to the Foreign Ministers of the Soviet Union, France, and China, the text of the Agreed Declaration prior to its publication. The replies of the Soviet43 and Chinese44 Governments are enclosed for the information of the Canadian Government. No reply has yet been received from the French Government.
- 6.
- The United States Government believes that further consideration should be given to possible discussions with the Governments of France and China prior to the meeting of the General Assembly.
- 7.
- The Government of the United States is grateful for the views of the Canadian Government with respect to the establishment of the proposed Commission under the United Nations Organization, and desires to discuss this matter further with the Canadian Government in the very near future.
Washington, December 5,
1945.