Atomic Energy Files, Lot 57 D 688
The Ambassador in Brazil (Johnson) to the Special Assistant to the Secretary of State (Arneson)
Dear Gordon: This is a rather late acknowledgement of your letter of October 30,1 regarding monazite and the Dean visit.
By now Mr. Dean, of course, has informed you of how matters were left upon his departure.2 The purpose of this letter is to let you [Page 791] know what has happened since his departure. An extra copy is being enclosed which I would appreciate your sending to Mr. Dean.
Mr. Dean no doubt has informed you that an agreement on uranium and cooperation in the atomic energy field was reached at the staff level when, on the eve of his departure, the Foreign Minister entered the picture. He had submitted an alternative draft agreement which, he said, had been approved by the President. The Foreign Minister’s proposal was motivated by the political difficulties he foresaw if the Government of Brazil agreed to make available to the United States all mined uranium ores in excess of those needed by Brazil in its atomic energy program. He said that if large amounts are produced, Brazil no doubt would be willing to provide us with all in excess of its needs, but that it would be politically difficult to defend an agreement which stated this explicitly. He proposed that the agreement provide that Brazil would agree to make available to the United States 50 percent of all mined uranium ore.
This was not acceptable to Mr. Dean largely because of the effect it might have, if it became known, on our relations with Belgium, the Union of South Africa and other countries which are providing us with uranium. The day before he had to leave, we had a meeting with the Foreign Minister who was told by Mr. Dean that from our standpoint no agreement would be preferable to such an agreement. It was apparent, however, that the Foreign Minister wished an agreement. Mr. Dean then outlined wording which would commit the Brazilian Government to provide us with 50 percent of all mined uranium ore for a period of ten years, and also would provide that Brazil would be prepared to let us have additional uranium not needed in its own program. Copies of the two drafts are enclosed marked Dean Draft No. 1 and Dean Draft No. 2.3 Either is acceptable to Mr. Dean, although he prefers the first.
The last week in November I saw the Foreign Minister and he told me that the President had approved the second draft. I was on the point of advising you accordingly, but thought the matter worth checking. Mills4 checked with Consul Barbosa da Silva and it developed that by “second draft” the Foreign Minister meant his own draft which was not acceptable to Mr. Dean. Barbosa da Silva and Bueno do Prado had to straighten out the Foreign Minister on this point, it being made clear, once again, that Mr. Dean could not accept the Foreign Minister’s draft and preferred not having any agreement.
I saw the Foreign Minister on December 5 and made certain that the mix-up in what was meant by “the second draft” had been clarified. [Page 792] I also took occasion to pass along the substance of the Department’s Airgram A–292 of November 24,5 which contained a message from Mr. Dean. The Foreign Minister appeared to understand and said he would go back to the President on the matter. I will reply to the airgram separately with reference to this letter of which Mr. Dean will have a copy from you.
On December 10, Shelly Mills and Emerson Brown6 checked with Barbosa da Silva. The latter stated that the Foreign Minister had submitted the two Dean drafts to the President and he assumed that the Foreign Minister would discuss them when he has his weekly audience with the President this week. Barbosa da Silva was unwilling to speculate, but he certainly was optimistic and indicated that we are on our way to reaching an agreement. I do not think this is too sanguine, but I have learned that it is wise not to make predictions regarding the time it will take to complete any particular negotiation. Shelly took pains to point out that, if the Second Dean Draft is the one found acceptable by the President, it is extremely important that any announcement which might eventually be made should not be limited to saying that Brazil is committed to furnishing the U.S. with 50 percent of the mined uranium ore, but should also make clear the provisions regarding Brazil’s willingness to furnish additional quantities not needed by the Brazilian atomic energy program. Shelly pointed out that unless the full picture is presented, if anything is made public, our relations with other countries would be seriously compromised. I did the same with Minister Neves da Fontoura.
Barbosa da Silva brought up the question of Brazil’s interest in purchasing a cyclotron from General Electric, the subject of the Department’s telegram No. 540 of December 6, 1951. A telegraphic reply is being sent to the Department.7 In brief, the Brazilians, and particularly Admiral Alberto, are keen on acquiring a cyclotron. It is my opinion that our willingness to help the Brazilians here will have a considerable influence on our whole program of cooperation in the atomic energy field, and conversely if we are not willing to assist it will have an unfortunate effect. Moreover, if we are not willing to help, the Brazilians without doubt will give the order to the Netherlands, Phillips, which I am told recently has shown a revived interest in the matter.
I am writing you separately on monazite and manganese.
Sincerely,
- Not printed.↩
- John A. Hall, Chief of the Office of Special Projects, United States Atomic Energy Commission, who accompanied Chairman Dean to Brazil, prepared a detailed account of the discussions which occurred. Arneson received a copy of this report, not printed, on November 30. (Atomic Energy Files, Lot 57 D 688)↩
- Neither printed.↩
- Sheldon T. Mills, Counselor of Embassy in Brazil.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Emerson I. Brown, Minerals Attaché, United States Embassy in Brazil.↩
- Infra.↩