Department of State Atomic Energy Files
The Alternate French Representative to the Security Council (de la Tournelle) to the Deputy United States Representative to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (Osborn)
Translation
Dear Mr. Osborn: Following on our talk on July 6,1 I informed the French Government as to the position of the American Delegation with respect to the work of the AEC and the draft resolution which the United States is proposing to present to the Commission, and asked my Government’s instructions.
M. Ramadier,2 French Delegate, had declared at Paris before the General Assembly that the French Government considered it essential to continue the work of the AEC.
[Page 89]The French Government, for the reasons which you have made clear, being forced to recognize that the Commission finds itself at an impasse, is prepared to associate itself with a recommendation of the Commission looking towards the suspension of these discussions.
However, the resolution should avoid in its language an attack on the Soviet position and should therefore be drafted in a tactful manner (“dans une forme nuancée”).
The French Government feels that the text must clearly indicate that it is proposing the adjournment and not the suspension of the Commission. Besides, it would be willing to associate itself with such a recommendation only if it suggested particularly that the GA ask the Six Powers to hold consultations provided for in the Resolution of November 4, 1948 periodically. In the thinking of the French Government, these consultations, while avoiding a confirmation, in the eyes of public opinion, of a complete break between the Soviet Union and the Western Powers on such an important question, provide, at this time, the only hope that the work of the Commission will be resumed at some undetermined date.
Please accept, dear Mr. Osborn, the assurance of my very devoted friendly sentiments.