Department of State Atomic Energy Files
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
atomic energy—norway
The British Government have considered the letter addressed by Mr. Lovett to the British Ambassador on the 22nd of November1 on the above subject. They are disappointed that the United States Government have not yet been able to reach a firm conclusion on the Norwegian request. After reconsidering the matter, they do not think that they can reasonably or justifiably further delay a reply to the Norwegians, whose request was made three months ago, until the United States Government have carried out their review of general policy which may apparently take as long as four months.
For the reasons which have already been given to the United States Government, the British Government consider that they should accept the Norwegian request and feel obliged to indicate to the Norwegians now that they hope to be able to assist them. The British Government [Page 790] will, however, explain to the Norwegians that they cannot at this stage say precisely when it may be possible to begin to take on their work since it must obviously be fitted in to the British programme at Springfield. There is no question of starting on the Norwegian contract for some time. In their earlier dealings, the Norwegians showed that they recognised that the work would have to be done at the convenience of the British Government.
The British Government feel that they cannot continue to hold up a reply to the Norwegians and that they ought now to make them the relatively encouraging response indicated above. They propose to approach the Norwegians this week.