Editorial Note
Secretary of State Dean Acheson addressed the 222nd Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly, September 21, 1949, during the general debate phase of proceedings. In the course of his remarks he touched upon both the control of atomic energy and regulation of conventional armaments. With reference to atomic energy, he pledged continuing efforts by the United States toward the establishment of an effective system of international control of atomic energy which would effectively prohibit atomic weapons. The Secretary reaffirmed United States support for the United Nations plan, but indicated the willingness of the United States to consider any new proposals. He also said that the forum of the sponsoring powers offered the best prospect of determining whether a basis for agreement existed.
Secretary Acheson also stated the following: “On the subject of regulation and reduction of conventional armaments, we are all well aware that there is no immediate prospect of universal agreement. The work done by the Commission on Conventional Armaments has helped to provide a useful start toward the regulation and reduction of armaments when that becomes practicable. The Commission should continue to formulate such plans in order that they may be available whenever the opportunity to utilize them arises.”
For the record of the full address, see United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, Fourth Session, Plenary Meetings, page 5 (hereafter cited as GA(IV), Plenary). For complete text, see Department of State Bulletin, October 3, 1949, page 489.