600.0012/3–1854
Memorandum by the United States Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) to the Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Key) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Wainhouse)
[New
York,] March 18, 1954.
- 1.
- You will recall that President Eisenhower in his speech to the General Assembly of December 8th said: “… I know, above all else, that we must start to take these steps—NOW …The United States, heeding the suggestion of the General Assembly of the United Nations, is instantly prepared to meet privately with such other countries as may be ‘principally involved.’ … To hasten the day when fear of the atom will begin to disappear from the minds of people, and the governments of the East and West, there are certain steps that can be taken now.”
- 2.
- I am being continually pressed by the Canadians and others as to when in the light of the President’s statement we can expect some action on this matter.
- 3.
- When the President made this statement James Reston, the diplomatic expert of the New York Times said that for the first time since the end of World War II the U.S. has seized the initiative.
- 4.
- Why the delay? Cannot the rest of us in the Executive Branch keep faith with the true spirit of the President’s great speech?