511.00/11–454: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts1

confidential
priority

227. Joint State–USIA telegram. InfoGuide: Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy. (Begin FYI: On November 5, in Committee One (Political and Security) of UNGA, Ambassador Lodge expected be first speaker on peaceful uses of atomic energy item. Speech will be in nature of report, and will review history of proposal, including President Eisenhower initiative December 8, 1953, Dulles UN statement September 23, 1954,2 negotiations with USSR and other countries. Lodge expected review and discuss developments in atomic science and technology, and describe substantial steps United States has already taken and expects to take in order share advances in peaceful applications atomic knowledge. Lodge will introduce resolution most significant parts of which currently expected to (1) Note negotiations in progress among states engaged in establishing an international atomic energy agency, and (2) call for convening by United Nations of international conference on peaceful uses of atomic energy. Resolution will not call for establishment by UN of international agency, but will suggest that after agency is established, agency should negotiate appropriate agreement with UN perhaps similar to those of specialized agencies. Proposed international [Page 1794] conference would be held under UN auspices and include governmental representatives from states members of UN or of any Specialized Agency, as well as some individual experts from these states who will not be governmental representatives. Conference and creation of agency would be related only in that report of conference may assist agency, as well as national programs, in determining types of activity which could most profitably be pursued. Text of speech and resolution not fully established. End FYI)

Initial information handling should (a) concentrate on encouraging widest circulation of and earnest attention to speech and resolution, (b) underscore US determination press actively ahead in turning atomic energy to peaceful service of mankind, and advance international cooperation in this effort. While we continue restrain unwarranted hopes for immediate large-scale benefits, substantial progress in peaceful uses which Lodge will report and further steps he will indicate US is prepared to take should be cited as evidence this move in UN is backed by practical realities offering sound basis for peaceful world progress.

Posts should keep Department and Agency informed of significant local reaction.

President’s announcement November 3 of note to USSR on peaceful uses should be treated as in line with reiterated US position of hoping for Soviet cooperation despite their past lack of interest in this effort, while we keep perfectly clear our determination to proceed with project whether or not Soviets participate. We continue to differentiate carefully between problems of disarmament and peaceful uses, stressing that progress in latter need not await developments in former.

(Caution: Avoid describing proposed international conference as “scientific” since purely scientific conference would raise question of UNESCO auspices.)

Dulles
  1. Drafted by John Z. Williams of USIA; cleared in USIA and by Meyers of UNA, Philip Farley of S/AE and Jean Jerolaman of P; approved by David Wainhouse, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs; and sent to 29 posts.
  2. Regarding President Eisenhower’s Dec. 8, 1953, address to the United Nations, see telegram Usito 164, Dec. 8, 1953, p. 1758. Regarding Secretary Dulles’ address before the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23, 1954, entitled “Partnership for Peace”, see the editorial note, p. 1519. Regarding Ambassador Lodge’s address on Nov. 5, 1954, see the second editorial note, p. 1551.