Office of the Historian

126. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1

Washington, March 16, 1956—6:54 p.m.

5368. For USDEL Disarmament. Re London 3762,2 language of President’s letter of March 1 to Premier Bulganin makes clear US would be willing put such arrangements into effect only after acceptance and operation satisfactory to US of air and ground inspection system. With reference to timing US position now is along lines of GA resolution that scientific search should be continued by each State, with appropriate consultation between Governments, for methods that would make possible thoroughly effective inspection and control of nuclear weapons material, having as its aim to facilitate the solution of the problem of comprehensive disarmament.3 US might take position [Page 362] that such search could be construed as preliminary work toward such arrangements. If Soviets accept air and ground inspection system US would in absence unforeseen circumstances begin negotiations on suitable arrangements to be implemented when air and ground inspection system operating satisfactorily to US.

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 330.13/3–656. Secret. Drafted by Baker and approved by Bond.↩
  2. Not printed. (Ibid.)↩
  3. Resolution 914 (X), paragraph 4, as approved by the U.N. General Assembly on December 16, 1955, contained the exact wording beginning with the word “scientific.” See Document 88.↩