320/11–350: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations
471. Re Delga 199 Oct 30.1 Fol constitutes general guidance in conversations with other dels re suggestion made by Pres Oct 24 in GA re exploring ways to bring more closely together the work of AEC and CCA, one possibility being that work might be carried forward in the future through a consolidated disarmament commission. Suggestion of Pres shld be considered and discussed in context of entire speech. Underlying suggestion is fact that US has long considered necessity [Page 104] for coordinating implementation of control systems in respective fields. Pres’s suggestion foreshadowed at last year’s GA in US statement to the effect that if and when suitable and acceptable plans for atomic energy and conventional armaments control are developed, there will be necessity for coordinating the two plans in an over-all system of collective security. In this connection, Delegation’s attention called to paras 2c SD/A/C.1/3362 and SD/A/C.1/337.3 Agreement on such coordination of implementation is an integral part of agreement on the two systems of control. Suggestion of Pres is to the effect that concurrent with continuing efforts to reach agreement on atomic energy and conventional armaments control systems, UN might now also prepare and plan for coordination of respective plans for joint implementation against the day that agreement can be reached. This is the only road to effective disarmament that US and UN can take if genuine disarmament is ever to come about. There is no intention of starting arms control discussions from scratch but rather of building on existing foundations. Suggestion accordingly does not stem from sudden shift in policy. Question involved is appropriate time when such consolidated and coordinated approach shld be advanced. Terms of reference of new commission, together with its membership, must be carefully worked out in consultation with other UN members so that commission is properly constituted at outset and will not be a source of grief later. US is interested in receiving best thinking of UN on this matter. US does not wish to impose its own ideas at time when it wld like to receive independent expression of views of others and accordingly US does not at this time intend to introduce resolution this GA on this subject. If others submit resolutions US will consider them on their merits. US will welcome the benefit of other Delegations’ thinking on Pres’s suggestion and in any event US will, at appropriate time, but not necessarily at this GA, advance its own views on how consolidation and coordination might take place and on what basis.
- Delga 199 from New York, October 30, read as follows: “USDel discussions with other delegations re President’s October 24 suggestion AEC and CCA might be consolidated disclose general desire to ascertain more specifically what steps US has in mind for 5th GA. Delegation would appreciate any guidance Department can furnish this matter.” (320/10–3050)↩
- Ante, p. 85.↩
- Ante, p. 86.↩