600.0012/2–2754
Memorandum of Conversation, by Howard Meyers of the Office of United Nations Political and Security Affairs
- Subject:
- Implementation of President’s Proposals on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy
- Participants:
- G—Mr. Murphy
- EUR—Mr. Merchant
- S/P—Mr. Bowie
- S/AE—Mr. Arneson
- UNA—Mr. Wainhouse
- UNP—Mr. Meyers
It was agreed that copies of the memorandum outlining tentative U.S. views in amplification of the proposals for an International Atomic Energy Agency1 would be handed to British and Canadian Embassy Representatives today. A copy would also be delivered to the French Ambassador on Monday, March 1. It will be stressed that this memorandum is an outline of U.S. views and not rigid; that the objective is to ascertain whether the memorandum provides a profitable basis for discussion with the USSR. Consequently, it will be suggested that the U.K., Canada and France give their general views on the memorandum, rather than direct their attention to the details. The memorandum will be transmitted at a later date to the Belgian, South African and Australian Embassies, for information rather than comment.
Mr. Merchant raised three questions concerning the memorandum.
- First, what was the meaning of the provision that the USSR would be expected to make a donation toward the needs of the Agency equivalent to that of the U.S.? It was explained that this meant an equal donation on a comparative basis, permitting donation of different kinds of fissionable materials having the same value.
- Second, did the reference to the Agency’s authority to verify the status of allocated material inventories and to verify compliance with the terms of issuance imply rights of inspection? It was explained that this was correct.
- Third, would the provisions for membership and for the governing body of the Agency, which referred to the fact that all signatory states would be members and suggested that in determining the Board of Governors prospective beneficiaries should be taken into [Page 1367] consideration among other possibilities, mean that Communist China might be a member of the Agency or even on the Board of Governors? It was agreed that, while membership on the Board of Governors should be restricted to the present UN membership, States other than UN members might sign the treaty and that this conceivably could raise the question of Communist China participation. Mr. Murphy pointed out that it seemed clear from the present political climate in this country that it would be impossible for the US to accept Communist China as a member of the Agency.
The question of the appointment of the U.S. Representative to participate in these discussions with the Soviets was discussed. It was agreed that recommendation should be made for the speedy appointment of our representative. Mr. Arneson will prepare a memorandum to this effect.