SCI Files
Memorandum by Mr. R. Gordon Arneson to the Under Secretary of State (Webb)
Note on Atomic Energy for Mr. Webb’s Use in Seeing the President Thursday, October 61
Since I last reported to you on Monday2 concerning the tripartite talks we have had a report of the meeting the AEC had with the Joint Committee last Monday. The AEC did not attempt to set forth an agreed Executive Branch opinion as to the best solution to the problem but gave a factual account of how the talks had gone thus far. Commission representatives laid particular stress on the fact that the talks to date were only exploratory and did not involve agreements or commitments. It is evident that the Joint Committee expects a rather fuller report from us. We are now preparing a statement which would be presented as the Joint State, Defense, and AEC point of view, both as to the progress of the talks and the arrangement the Executive Branch intends to press for. It is intended that this testimony will be given to the Joint Committee before the Congress adjourns.
The news of the Soviet atomic explosion seems to have had a rather sobering effect on members of the Joint Committee. Their reactions to a partnership arrangement with the U.K. and Canada appear more hopeful than was the case some weeks ago.
Last Monday you asked me to give you my reactions as to what might be said in reply to two letters from Senator McMahon; the first, unclassified, urging a bold new approach to the problem of international control;3 the second classified Confidential, urging an all out effort in the production of atomic weapons.4 On the first, my suggestion would be that you reply to the Senator that the Policy Planning Staff of the Department of State is making a thorough reassessment of the impact of recent events, not only on the international control problem but our foreign policy generally. This survey is being conducted quietly and confidentially, but the Senator will doubtless be pleased to know that it is getting under way. Pending the outcome of this study it would be premature to have a judgment on any particular proposal.
As to the second letter it would appear desirable to tell the Senator that a projected increase in the atomic energy production program is under very active study, the results of which will soon be in hand.