83. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
Gadel 76. Re radiation (Delga 175).2 USDEL can make following statement on moratorium: “The US believes that a moratorium on tests of nuclear weapons is an inseparable part of the disarmament problem and cannot be dealt with alone. Any agreed disarmament program must be predicated on equitable and effective inspection and control systems applicable to all elements of this agreed disarmament program. This moratorium question is, consequently, properly part of the efforts to reach agreement on disarmament carried on in the UN Disarmament Commission, its Subcommittee and other areas.”
Foregoing is maximum we believe USDEL could say on this problem now in light present stage disarmament review.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 700.5611/10–2855. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Meyers and approved by Bond.↩
- Delga 175 from New York, October 28, indicated that the problem of a moratorium on nuclear tests would probably arise during the forthcoming debate on radiation and asked for instructions. Since the Soviets had urged cessation of tests in their May 10 proposals as well as in their suggested amendments to the radiation resolution, Lodge said it would be useful if he could say that the United States supported cessation of tests as part of a comprehensive disarmament system. (Ibid.)↩