845A.2546/10–250: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in South Africa
61. For the Ambassador1 from Arneson. Urtel 96 Sept 27.2 You will receive in following air pouch first person instruction signed by Sec,3 requesting that as soon as can be arranged after presentation of credentials you present orally to Prime Min or his deputy, official views of US Govt per following aide-mémoire, copy of which should be left with So Africans:4
“I have been requested by the Secretary of State, in his capacity as Chairman of the Combined Policy Committee for the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada on atomic energy matters, to convey to you this message:
[Page 588]‘The Governments of the United States and of the United Kingdom have reviewed the prospective supply of uranium from South Africa in the light of the present grave international situation and the Government of the United Kingdom has stated it will associate itself with the following views of the Government of the United States.
‘The Government of the United States considers that the production of uranium in quantity and in the shortest possible time has now acquired additional significance to all nations striving through the United Nations to preserve the peace of the world.
‘The Government of the United States notes with appreciation the invitation from Dr. Donges5 for representatives of the Combined Development Agency to resume technical discussions regarding the purchase of uranium in Johannesburg after the middle of October. The South African Atomic Energy Board recently has been informed by the Combined Development Agency of the acceptance of this invitation. While the principles agreed on last year by the three governments for the conclusion of a contract for uranium procurement can be considered a starting point for the ensuing discussions, the representatives of the Combined Development Agency wish to explore with representatives of the Union of South Africa all practicable means of expediting uranium production in South Africa and it is proposed that the next discussions be held with this objective foremost.
‘The Government of the United States has been informed that Dr. Donges will be in New York in October as a representative of the Union of South Africa to the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York City. It would be very helpful if during the course of his stay in the United States, Dr. Donges would find it convenient to come to Washington and would be prepared to clarify the request of the Union of South Africa for closer association with the Governments of the United States and of the United Kingdom in the field of atomic energy referred to in the note delivered by the Department of State to the Ambassador of the Union of South Africa on August 24, 1950.’”
In connection UK concurrence in above, Dept is informed UK High Commissioner is being requested by his Govt support you in ur approach to So Africans and to consult with you to this end. [Arneson.]
- Ambassador John G. Erhardt, appointed May 23, 1950.↩
- Telegram 96 from Pretoria, September 27, is not printed.↩
- The first-person instruction, September 29, is not printed.↩
- In telegram 119 from Pretoria, October 17, Ambassador Erhardt reported that he had delivered the aide-mémoire that day (845A.2546/10–1750).↩
- Dr. T. E. Donges, South African Minister of the Interior and Mines; former Chairman of the South African Atomic Energy Board.↩