Department of State Atomic Energy Files

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. R. Gordon Arneson, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State (Webb)

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Subject: Note Verbale Delivered by the Belgian Ambassador

Participants: The Acting Secretary of State
The Belgian Ambassador
Roger Taymans, Counselor of Belgian Embassy
Mr. Arneson

In presenting the attached note verbale the Belgian Ambassador stated that it concerned a matter to which the Belgian Government attached very great importance. He stated that the points that were raised in the note were ones which the Belgian Government hoped its designated representatives could examine in the frankest sort of way with American officials.

The Acting Secretary of State indicated he was very glad to receive the note which had been presented to him and indicated that a formal reply would be forthcoming in a few days time. He went on to say that the United States Government could not over-emphasize its appreciation for the extremely gratifying cooperation which it had received from Belgium in fulfillment of the terms of the 1944 agreement. The United States Government welcomed the opportunity to enter into the proposed discussions which it looked upon as a resumption of the previous exploratory conversations which had been undertaken in 1948 with Professor deHemptinne and Mr. Paul Gerard whom the Belgian Government had designated for this purpose.

The Belgian Ambassador indicated that the Belgian Foreign Minister would be returning to Brussels from New York on October 6. He hoped that a reply could be in the Foreign Minister’s hands by that [Page 545] time. The Acting Secretary said that he thought this could be done. The Belgian Ambassador went on to say that the Foreign Minister would in all probability be greeted by a barrage of questions on this matter both in Parliament and from the press. It seemed vital that he should have some indication of this Government’s attitude on the questions raised in the note verbale in order that he might handle such questions in the most appropriate manner.

In connection with the point raised in the note verbale of informing the United Kingdom, it was agreed that it would be desirable for the Belgian Ambassador to make a copy available to the British Embassy here.

[Annex—Translation]

The Belgian Embassy to the Department of State

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Note Verbale

During his conversation with the Secretary of State on September 16, 1949 M. Van Zeeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, stated that he reserved the right to raise at a later date the questions concerning atomic energy which exist between Belgium and the United States.

Mr. Acheson replied that he was ready to discuss this question with M. Van Zeeland whenever the latter believed it appropriate to raise it.

Certain recent events force the Belgian Government to raise again without delay, the question of atomic energy.

On September 20, the Combined Policy Committee, composed of representatives of the United States, Great Britain, and Canada, met in Washington. According to the press the purpose of this meeting was to study the possibility of extending the exchange of information on the subject of atomic energy and of revising the allocation of uranium ore originating in the Belgian Congo.

In this connection the Belgian Government desires to recall that in accordance with the terms of the Agreement concluded in 1944 with respect to uranium, it has been understood that Belgium would participate in the utilization of atomic energy for industrial purposes.

Belgium has fulfilled the provisions of this agreement which devolve upon it by delivering uranium ore in accordance with the agreed provisions.

On the other hand it (Belgium) has not received, as of this date, any precise indication as to the manner in” which the governments, to [Page 546] which it had promised the exclusive delivery of uranium ore, intend to fulfill the obligation stipulated in section 9a of the 1944 Agreement.

On October 3, 1947, M. P. H. Spaak, Foreign Minister of Belgium, when stating to Mr. Marshall, Secretary of State of the United States, the reasons Why he desired that the above mentioned agreement be made public, suggested certain measures with a view of insuring the participation of Belgium in the application of atomic energy for industrial purposes. At that time, Mr. Marshall replied that the question would be submitted to an immediate study, the results of which would be communicated to M. Spaak.1

Three months later the Secretary of State was reminded of this exchange of views in a letter from the Ambassador of Belgium dated January 19, 1948.2 Upon delivering it to him on the following day, Baron Silvercruys explained again the purpose and the reasons for the requests of the Belgium Government. Mr. Marshall was kind enough to give assurances that the United States was determined to fulfill the obligations which it had undertaken in this matter.

The Belgian Government is desirous to recall certain developments which have taken place in the association of American private industry in the production of atomic energy: a program of cooperation has been defined by the proper authorities; organs have been set up to implement this program; certain forms of cooperation are already in process.

On October 6, 1947, Mr. David E. Lilienthal, Chairman of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, made some statements at Detroit defining a program of participation on the part of American industry in the production and utilization of atomic energy.3

On the same day the United States Atomic Energy Commission established an Industrial Advisory Group composed of leading figures of industry and commerce with a twofold purpose: first, to assist the Atomic Energy Commission in making rapid progress in the direction of the practical application of atomic energy by private industry; second, to enable the members of this Commission to inform American industry of the developments and the extensive activities of the Commission in the field of scientific research, within the bounds of security requirements.

Furthermore, a program of technical cooperation was decided upon by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada at the beginning of 1948: it does not include information concerning weapons.

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On December 15, 1948, the Industrial Advisory Group made its report to the Atomic Energy Commission.4

On August 15, 1949, the Atomic Energy Commission formed a special advisory committee for the purpose of recommending means of establishing a continuous collaboration between itself and the electric power industry.

Following on the work of the Industrial Advisory Group, the American Atomic Energy Commission established a program for the development of various types of nuclear reactors.

A technical conference, in which representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada participated, met in London at the end of September for the purpose of examining problems related to prospecting, extraction and processing of radioactive ores, which are the raw material of the atomic energy industry.

Furthermore, as has been mentioned above, the Government of the United States is engaged in negotiations with the British and Canadian Governments on subjects which, according to American newspapers, touch not only on the use of atomic energy but also involve the question of Congo uranium ore.

The developments which have just been mentioned confirm the opinion of the Belgian Government that it is imperative to reexamine the means of implementing the Agreement and, in particular, the means of implementing section 9a.

The Belgian Government proposes therefore that conversations begin as soon as possible with a view to discussing and, if possible, resolving the questions raised in this present note.

It would be appreciated if the American Government would make known its suggestions on this matter.

The Belgian Government believes it useful to invite attention to two related points.

It may be recalled that the British Government participated in the Agreement of 1944 and inquires when and how it might be appropriate to associate the latter in the proposed conversations.

Finally, the Belgian Government, having in mind the numerous allusions made by the press to the existence of the Agreement, is constrained to state that its secrecy has not been maintained as had been desired, and would like to examine, in concert with the United States Government, whether a joint declaration on this subject might not be appropriate.

  1. For the memorandum of the Marshall–Spaak conversation in New York, October 3, 1947, see Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. i, p. 841.
  2. For text, see ibid., 1948, vol. i, Part 2, p. 687.
  3. Lilienthal’s address before the Detroit Economic Club, October 6, 1917, during which he announced the appointment of an Industrial Advisory Group, is described in Lilienthal, p. 242.
  4. For a condensed version of the report, see Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, February 1949, p. 51.