Department of State Atomic Energy Files
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Lucius D. Battle, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State
| Participants: | M. Paul van Zeeland, Foreign Minister of Belgium1 |
| Ambassador Silvercruys | |
| Secretary Acheson | |
| Lucius D. Battle |
Mr. van Zeeland called on Mr. Acheson at Mr. van Zeeland’s request. He apologized for disturbing the Secretary at this busy time but said that he had a serious problem with his Parliament which opens on Tuesday.2 He said that he would, when Parliament opened, be under pressure for information on the status of negotiations in the atomic field. He said that he had been able to postpone this for nearly a year and could possibly delay a little longer although he felt he could get away with more in view of the atmosphere left by our recent meetings than he would have expected. He said that the Belgians had concluded it was best to accept our views in these negotiations. He then asked Ambassador Silvercruys to report on the discussions which he had had with Mr. Arneson and Mr. Perkins.3 The Ambassador said that he assumed Mr. Acheson had received a report on these discussions. Mr. Acheson said that he had been filled in on that. The Ambassador said that these discussions had resulted in practical agreement and there was only one point which was in dispute. He said that the discussions had led to complete agreement on the draft communiqué and that there was substantial agreement on the aide-mémoire. He said that if Belgium expects to carry out the program she has set up for herself, it will be essential to raise additional funds. He said they regarded that the ore was being sold at a very cheap price and wanted to increase the export tax on it. In order to meet the one point of disagreement, Mr. van Zeeland and the Ambassador suggested that the aide-mémoire include a statement that the tax which the Belgian Government wanted was “not to exceed 175 francs per kilo.” They suggested that it be understood that the actual amount of this tax would not be determined without consultation with the United States.
Mr. Acheson said that we considered the tax an internal matter and were sympathetic to the Belgians’ needs for funds. He said that there was not complete agreement in the United States Government on certain technical matters but he expressed the belief that these could be solved. He suggested that further conversations be held with Ambassador Silvercruys in Washington. He said that he would ask Mr. Arneson to get in touch with the Ambassador.
As he was leaving, Mr. van Zeeland urged again that the Secretary not forget the necessity for Mr. van Zeeland’s going to Parliament very soon and strongly urged that we come to agreement on this as [Page 580] soon as possible. Mr. Acheson said he appreciated the need for speedy action.
Mr. van Zeeland handed to Mr. Acheson the attached paper summarizing the reasons the Belgians feel an increase is necessary on the export duties on the ores.4