600.0012/9–2254: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bohlen) to the Department of State1
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[Received 8:52 a.m.]
418. Eyes only Secretary or Under Secretary. Gromyko asked me to call this morning and at 11:45 handed me nine-page memorandum on atomic energy discussions in answer to US memorandum of July 9 (full text in immediately following telegram).2
Bulk of memorandum merely reviews standard Soviet position on question including opposition to President’s proposal for atomic pool; necessity of working towards total abolition atomic weapons with first step renunciation of use; and clear indication that any form of international organ for peaceful use of atomic energy in Soviet view must be under Security Council.
Following is translation last two paragraphs of memorandum:
“Soviet government taking in consideration declaration government of USA concerning willingness at any time to renew the negotiations connected with peaceful use of atomic energy for its part declares its willingness to continue these negotiations for the examination of proposals of Soviet government as well as proposals of government USA.
In conclusion, Soviet government would like to know opinion of US government as to whether it is not desirable that all documents which have been mutually exchanged between governments of USSR and USA during course of conversations which have taken place on atomic problem should be published in press of Soviet Union as well as press of USA respectively in order that public opinion might be informed concerning contents of these negotiations. In this connection Soviet government takes into consideration fact that in course of the conversations which have taken place between Soviet Union and USA, communications have appeared in the press which imprecisely elucidate certain questions concerning position of the parties”.
In view of subject of Soviet memorandum, and particularly last paragraph, I will of course say nothing whatsoever to press here including fact of call on Gromyko. Since I do not have available here text of memorandum of July 9, I cannot judge to what extent Soviet reply is responsive to our proposal.
Soviet memorandum, however, appears to do little more than repeat standard Soviet positions on this question and seems designed [Page 1519] primarily (1) to indicate Soviet willingness to continue discussions, probably in hope of throwing onus on US for any breakdown; and (2) for same reason, to publicize for propaganda purposes Soviet position during course these discussions.
I would appreciate being informed whether Department proposes to publicize (without indication of content) receipt of this memorandum so that I might simultaneously inform press here.3
- Relayed to the Secretary of State who was in New York for the opening session of the UN General Assembly.↩
- Telegram 419 from Moscow, Sept. 22, is not printed. (600.0012/9–2254) However, for the text of the Soviet aide-mémoire, see Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 4, 1954, pp. 486–489. For text of the U.S. memorandum of July 9, see p. 1473.↩
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Telegram 198 to Moscow, Sept. 23, 12:14 p.m., reads as follows: “Eyes only for Ambassador. Advise Gromyko urgently that United States willing to publish all documents exchanged between United States and USSR on President’s pool proposal.
“FYI. Urgency owing to fact Secretary will state in UN speech 4 p.m. today that United States is willing to publish such documents.” (600.0012/9–2354)
The Department added the following in telegram 199 of 2:55 p.m.: “Further to Deptel 198, advise Gromyko urgently that although United States willing to publish subject documents would regret termination of this private channel. If USSR nevertheless desires publish, obtain if possible details re timing, content and manner of publication.” (600.0012/9–2354)
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