811.2423/9–2349
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Perkins) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Sandifer)1
Subject: Atomic Explosion2
In view of today’s developments with respect to atomic energy, it seems to me particularly important that we avoid any actions which [Page 171] might be interpreted as a move toward “appeasement” of the Soviet Union. Not only would such a development affect Western European opinion but it would probably also cause the Russians to be more demanding and intransigent. I suggest that the instructions to our delegation at the General Assembly and any moves we are contemplating within the next few days be reviewed in the light of these considerations.
- Drafted by Llewellyn E. Thompson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs.↩
- On September 23, President Truman announced that the United States had, evidence that an atomic explosion had occurred in the Soviet Union. He stated that this development reemphasized the need for effective international control of atomic energy. For the text of the President’s statement, see Department of State Bulletin, October 3, 1949, p. 487, or Documents on Disarmament 1945–1959, vol. i, p. 207. In a statement released to the press the same day by the United States Mission at the United Nations, the Secretary of State also stressed that the Soviet explosion did not alter the policy of the United States to do everything in its power to obtain international control of atomic energy; for the text of Secretary Acheson’s statement, see Department of State Bulletin, October 3, 1949, p. 487. The statement on the subject released by Acting Secretary Webb on September 28 is printed ibid, p. 488. On September 25, the Soviet Union confirmed that it possessed atomic weapons; for the text of the Soviet statement, see telegram 2406 from Moscow, September 25, vol. v, p. 656. For additional information on the Soviet atomic explosion, see pp. 249 ff.↩