855.646/1–1047: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
31. For Under Secretary Acheson from Kirk. Spaak1 tells me that Professor Joliot-Curie2 has been active among Belgian scientists in promoting idea his own researches nuclear physics antedate ours and that western European scientific talent quite capable paralleling our successes in field atomic energy in all its aspects. He proposes pooling talent and resources with Belgian conferees and then ingenuously suggests Belgian contribution should be uranium from their large supplies in Congo. (You will be familiar with background Professor Joliot-Curie who trades on réclame family name and is avowed Communist.)
Spaak says scientific circles here have been working on other cabinet members who in turn are asking if Belgium’s interests do not require real research in atomic energy field including active experimentation with uranium from Congo sources. He feels that pressure of this character is growing and that his colleagues cannot be indefinitely put off with evasive replies nor with negative answer to proposals that must only seem reasonable to Belgian scientific world.
He has suggested therefore that perhaps we would consider inviting selected Belgian scientists to come to America for participation in research and development work. He said his ideas were not yet precisely formulated as to scope of terms of reference for such visitors and naturally would defer to our point of view. If we find such suggestion acceptable Spaak feels an arrangement to this effect to be made known publicly at a date to be mutually decided but not long delayed, would go long way to silence criticism on this point. He said he would give me memorandum soon but as three days have now elapsed I consider you should be apprised of tenor his proposal and be prepared to answer specifically when we have his communication.3
[Page 784]In this connection, from other sources, I learn universities Liège and Brussels are consulting on Belgium’s needs for pursuit research this field. I also learn War Department has circularized several Military Attachés western Europe regarding possible sending scientific attaches or creating some exchange professorships, etc. My Attaché has recommended certain lectures only under auspices selected universities or Belgian-American association or fondation universitaire. (My comment on this will follow in separate message.) You will thus perceive topic very active in scientific circles which appears to me perfectly natural and normal.
Have not had opportunity to discuss foregoing with Hugessen.4
- Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgian Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Prof. Frédéric Joliot-Curie, director of the French atomic energy program; member of the French delegation to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission.↩
- For a translation of the memorandum submitted by Spaak to Kirk on February 4, see telegram 168 from Brussels, February 5, p. 792.↩
- Sir Hughe M. Knatchbull-Hugessen, British Ambassador in Belgium.↩