This is a summary report on the present status of action taken by the
Department of State and the Department of the Army to secure the
cooperation of other countries and authorities in the occupied areas in
a program aimed at denying exports of important atomic energy materials
and equipment to the U.S.S.R. and its satellite areas.
The program being pursued falls into three general categories: 1)
establishment of similar controls by the Combined Policy Committee [Page 432] governments, namely, the
United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, 2) establishment by the
Department of the Army of controls in Japan, Korea, and the American
Zone in Germany, and 3) diplomatic representations by the Department of
State to urge the establishment of controls in important Western
European countries. It is recognized that this program may need to be
extended to other areas as circumstances require.
As a basis for this program, the Commission last year prepared two lists
of items suggested for control. One list (List “A”) consists principally
of those items directly controlled by the Commission through its
regulations pertaining to source materials and production facilities.
The other list (List “B”) consists of items of general industrial use
which have important applications in the atomic energy field and which
are informally controlled by the Commission through the cooperation of
the Department of Commerce or through liaison with industry.
Late last summer, the Department of State instructed certain of its
missions abroad to approach the respective governments with the view of
securing the establishment of effective controls in those
countries.4 The
missions were instructed to attempt to narrow discussions of List “B”
items to those actually produced in the respective areas. In all cases
it was desired that the establishment of controls appear as autonomous
moves on the part of the other governments. Following is a summary of
the progress made in the various areas. Except for information relating
to the occupied areas, the data presented has been received from the
Department of State:
United Kingdom. An Atomic Energy Commission
representative visited London in May, 1948 and left with British
officials lists of those items which the United States considered
should not be exported to Soviet areas. These lists were discussed a
short time later with the British representatives in Washington.
Substantial agreement has been achieved regarding items to be
controlled. In November, 1948, an order was issued by the British
Government expanding the list of materials subject to export control
in the United Kingdom. With the institution of this order
practically all items controlled by the United States are subject to
either formal or informal export controls by the United Kingdom.
Discussions are continuing to reconcile differences of
classification and terminology and to establish an exchange of
information regarding licensing actions.
Canada. The control lists were transmitted to
the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada in May, 1948.
Implementation of an official control mechanism has not yet been
completed. Discussions and correspondence with the Canadian
officials regarding technical aspects of the program are
continuing.
[Page 433]
Germany. The Commission has been in
consultation with the Department of the Army in Washington regarding
the establishment in Germany of export controls on atomic energy
materials and equipment. A Commission representative proceeded to
Germany in May, 1948 and discussed this matter with appropriate
American and British occupation authorities. Suggested control lists
were submitted by the Commission representative and the principle of
such controls was accepted by the occupation authorities at that
time. It was stated, however, that lack of adequate administrative
mechanisms prevented immediate institution of these controls. The
Department of the Army now reports that satisfactory administrative
procedures have been devised and that discussions are being held
with the British authorities in Germany with the view of obtaining
agreement regarding the establishment of the control measures.
Japan. The control lists were transmitted by
the Department of the Army to American authorities in Japan in May
1948 with the instruction that these lists be used in screening
exports from Japan. In the reply it was stated that the controls
were understood and that the instructions would be followed without
difficulty.
Korea. The authorities in Seoul reported that
steps have been taken to avoid shipment of listed items to Soviet
areas. Only two items on the lists were believed applicable:
monazite and beryl.
Sweden. In response to an American Embassy
approach, the Swedish Foreign Office identified the limited number
of List “A” items which are produced in Sweden. The Foreign Office
stated that these items were being manufactured solely to meet the
requirements of the Swedish atomic energy program and none are being
exported. The American scientific attaché has been instructed to
ascertain Swedish potentialities with respect to production of items
on List “B”. He will also report on the operation and organization
of the Swedish export control system.
Norway. The American Embassy has been
informed by the Foreign Office that there is no production of items
on List “A” except uranium required for the Norwegian atomic energy
pile. Regarding List “B” items, the Foreign Office reports that
sizeable shipments of heavy water have been made to France but that
only laboratory amounts are shipped to Eastern European countries. A
proposed shipment of beryl to Czechoslovakia was blocked by the
Foreign Office on representations from the Embassy. Norwegian
potentialities regarding other items on List “B” are to be studied
by the American scientific attaché.
Switzerland. The American Legation reports
that satisfactory progress is being made through conversations of
the Military Attaché with a highly placed Swiss official. This
official is sympathetic to this program and is attempting to have
the Swiss Government establish the desired controls.
Netherlands. The American Embassy has left
with the Foreign Office a questionnaire concerning List “A” items.
The Netherlands Government has promised to reply in the near future.
Significant atomic energy items produced by the Netherlands include
certain categories of electrical equipment which can be manufactured
by the Phillips firm at Eindhoven, and small tonnages of monazite
derived as a byproduct of tin mining in the Netherlands East
Indies.
Belgium. The Foreign Office has been given
List “A” and has stated it is studying the matter. The American
Embassy is attempting to [Page 434]
narrow List “B.” to items applicable to Belgium and the reduced list
will be presented to Prime Minister Spaak who may then be expected
to issue instructions prohibiting the export of those items to the
Soviet dominated areas. In view of the excellent cooperation
received from the Belgians with respect to uranium, little
difficulty is anticipated in securing establishment of controls over
items on either list.
Frame. Due to the delicate political
situation in France during the past months communication with the
French Government regarding parallel export controls has been held
in abeyance. Recently, however, an opportunity has been presented to
initiate high level discussions with the French looking toward the
establishment of controls and the American Embassy is proceeding
along these lines.
Pending the institution of formal export control measures by the various
governments, the Department of State has followed an interim policy of
approaching the individual governments in specific cases when
information is received indicating that negotiations are underway or
contemplated with respect to the shipment to Soviet controlled areas of
items which might be used in an atomic energy program.
