855A.6359/7–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
1071. For Under Secretary Lovett from Kirk. In Senate debate July 3 on foreign affairs the export of uranium to US was discussed by Communists. Glineur (Communist) asked: “When will the agreement end permitting US obtain and stock for its sole benefit Congolese uranium?” Spaak replied: “It was necessary during the war to assure to the Allies as large a quantity as possible of those materials indispensable to the development of atomic energy. Therefore with the complete approval of the Belgian Government these arrangements were concluded so that uranium minerals of Congo were placed at disposition of US and UK. In these arrangements the legitimate interests of Belgium were safeguarded. They are still in force and the Belgian Government hopes that an international agreement for the control of atomic energy will soon be concluded, as result of work of Commission established by ONU [UN], As soon as this is achieved the Belgian Government will hasten to draw up appropriate legislation concerning uranium.”
Communist Senator Fonteyne: “In the meantime our uranium is being hoarded.” Glineur: “And the US is accumulating its reserves.” Spaak: “I have made my statement and you can draw conclusions you wish.”
Informal minutes debate follow airmail.