Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Western Europe and Canada, Volume XXVII

164. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Sweden¹

Washington, May 19, 1955— 1:48 p.m.

918. Letter February 22 from ASEA enclosed your despatch 1031² indicates Swedish technical circles interested obtaining reactor materials from US. Suggest you inform ASEA and Brynielsson³ of A B Atomenergi delivery of enriched uranium requires Government to Government Agreement for Cooperation under Section 123 Atomic Energy Act.⁴ Form agreement now worked out for small quantities U–235 up to 6 kg contained U–235 in enrichment up to 20% for use in research reactors. See CA–3814⁵ and draft agreement sent by pouch. Agreement covers only unclassified information and does not require extensive commitments or elaborate safeguards. For larger quantities material or classified information, Agreement for Cooperation would be somewhat more complex and require security undertakings by the other government. If ASEA and Brynielsson interest their Government in research reactor agreement, attention invited schedule in Circular 656⁶ which makes urgent they authorize representatives in Washington discuss and initial agreement within next few weeks, if it is to come into effect during present session Congress.

Other materials mentioned—heavy water, natural uranium, zirconium and beryllium—all subject export control and problems supply. Goverment to Government agreement not necessary to obtain these materials but would facilitate export. No general statement availability possible. Swedish inquiry through diplomatic channels setting forth the amounts, specifications, and delivery time for materials desired and could be referred to Atomic Energy Commission for specific answer. Alternatively Swedes might send small group technical representatives to Washington to discuss their program and needs with Department and AEC and to explore possibilities obtaining desired materials and entering into broader Agreement for Cooperation adapted their special interests. Advance notice to permit arrangements with AEC would be necessary.

Re your para 6E, additional instructions US training programs sent out as ready [already?] including CA–7276.⁷

Other general recommendations your para 6 under study by Department and AEC.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.5897/5–1955. Confidential. Drafted on May 18 by Philip J. Farley and approved by Gerard C. Smith.
2. Dated April 14. (Ibid., 958.8137/4–1455)
3. Harry Brynielsson, Executive Director of Aktiebolaget Atomenergi, the Swedish atomic energy company.
4. Atomic Energy Act of 1954. (68 Stat. 919)
5. Not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 511.033/12–1054)
6. Circular telegram 656, May 12, advised Embassies that agreements for cooperation covering nuclear fuel for research reactors had to lie before Congress for 30 days before signature, and that agreements not initialed by early June might be held over until 1956. (Ibid., 611.0097/5–1255)
7. Paragraph 6E of despatch 1031 from Stockholm, recommended that details of U.S. training programs in the field of atomic energy be made available to friendly nations. CA–7276, April 22, is not printed. (Ibid., 511.003/4–2255)