188. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Embassy in Germany1
900. For the Ambassador. I have been greatly concerned about effect on EURATOM negotiations of possible German intransigence on question of ownership and supply of fissionable material, concern which I understand you share. I am encouraged however by recent reports that Adenauer stimulated by Etzel (Luxembourg Tel 22 to Bonn2) now appreciates importance this issue and that he may be prepared bring Germany into harmony with her negotiating partners on this point. In this situation I think an initiative on our part at this time may be useful; therefore, unless you see objections, will you inform Adenauer of my views this subject along following general lines:
I understand problem of ownership of fissionable material will be one of major issues on EURATOM at forthcoming Ministers [Page 468] Meeting in Paris. While Chancellor is aware that we have carefully refrained from injecting our views into Brussels discussions, this particular subject is one on which U.S. has significant experience and which is of such importance that he may permit us a few observations:
Despite deep commitment of U.S. to private enterprise system, there is general acceptance in U.S. of necessity for government ownership of this material. This policy in U.S. stems from inherent danger of fuel as well as its intrinsic military significance. I understand it is sometimes held that our policy on this subject is carried over from the period when the primary emphasis in nuclear policy was military; this is of course not so. The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which was drafted after a searching reexamination of nuclear energy policies by the Administration and the Congress, in view emerging peaceful development of the atom, contains a clear expression of government and Congressional policy that the government should be the exclusive owner of fissionable materials.
As Chancellor knows, we also have the hope that with development of treaty and establishment of strong EURATOM with effective common authority and responsibility would be possible for U.S. to cooperate very closely with atomic energy community of Six. However, in view of our own domestic U.S. legislation could not transfer fissionable material to EURATOM unless latter were in position maintain ownership of material.
In light of these considerations, it is my hope that in reviewing German position on ownership and supply issue, Chancellor will modify previous German opposition to common ownership, in interests both of progress European integration and of rapid atomic energy development in six countries, including Germany.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 840.1901/9–2056. Confidential; Priority; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Schaetzel and approved by Dulles. Repeated for information to Brussels, Luxembourg (for the Embassy and the CSC Mission), Paris, Rome, and The Hague.↩
- Sent to the Department as Colux 28 from Luxembourg, September 18. (Ibid., 840.1901/9–1856)↩
- Ambassador Conant transmitted these views to Chancellor Adenauer in a letter of October 3. In telegram 1467 from Bonn, October 17, he reported Adenauer’s reply. In his letter, the Chancellor stated that he was taking particular cognizance of U.S. views concerning the necessity of government ownership of fissionable materials in light of the forthcoming meeting of the CSC Foreign Ministers in Paris, which was scheduled to deal with EURATOM problems. He also indicated his readiness to meet with Conant to discuss this subject. (Ibid., 840.1901/10–1756)↩