600.0012/12–753: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bohlen) to the Department of State1
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669. Eyes only Secretary; pass Bermuda if necessary. I saw Molotov 3 o’clock this afternoon and made following oral statement to him as instructed (reference 5, 6 and 9 from Bermuda).2
I opened by telling Molotov that perhaps he had heard President Eisenhower would be addressing UNGA tomorrow afternoon at invitation of Secretary General and that as had already been announced speech was to be devoted to dangers of atomic age. I said chief purpose of speech was specifically to state US willingness to talk privately on whole atomic armaments problem with Soviet [Page 1288] Government and others interested either through diplomatic channels or under UN auspices. This was an important offer to initiate serious talks and was not to make propaganda on this most serious subject. The purpose of my visit to him was to draw the attention of Soviet Government in advance to great importance which my government attached to this speech which would contain a sincere and serious offer by President and to express the hope that the suggestion would be received by Soviet Government in same spirit. If, as we hoped, Soviet reaction was affirmative the exact form of talks could be worked out subsequently. I concluded by saying there was no need to stress to him (Molotov) the immense importance of whole question of atomic weapons and repeated the hope that Soviet Government would receive this suggestion as seriously as it was made.
Molotov listened attentively and said of course he could not express any view on a speech or proposal which he had not yet seen. I told him that I did not have the text but if I should receive it or any parts thereof tomorrow I would send him a copy for his personal confidential information. Molotov said that Soviet Government attached greatest importance to question of atomic weapons and would await with great interest President’s speech and suggestion on this subject. He asked me whether President would make a “new” proposal on question of atomic weapons to which I replied that I did not have text of President’s speech and was unable to give him any details but according to information I had received I believed President’s suggestion was designed to initiate serious discussions with Soviet Union and others interested on this subject rather than attempt in public speech to set forth detailed proposals on substance of the question.
I told Molotov that when he had had time to study the speech carefully, I hoped he would give me his government’s reaction to President’s suggestion. He promised me that he would do so. I did this deliberately in order (a) to underline seriousness of suggestion and (b) also as a possible additional inhibition to any premature propaganda response in Soviet press.
I told Molotov that I would not inform correspondents even of fact of my visit, but if it should become known I would say it was routine. He said that was entirely up to me. While speculations as to Soviet response risky, there is good possibility Molotov may pose number of questions re proposed talks—particularly, character of discussions, and especially what proposals, if any, US would have in mind on substance reduction and control atomic weapons.
In any event, I believe Soviet interest and curiosity has been definitely aroused.