174. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Norway1
993. Further discussion [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] April 2 of U.S.-Norwegian bilateral agreement in AEC and subsequent discussion in Department of Soviet offer Norwegians. Latter discussion along lines Deptel 983.2 [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] gratified and pleased U.S. position re Soviet overtures. Memorandum of conversation to be pouched.
Re U.S.-Norway negotiations Randers will consider with his government whether to seek immediately unclassified materials agreement which could probably come into effect during this session of Congress or a classified power bilateral, which probably could not be brought into effect until February 1957. Randers’ preliminary reaction was in favor classified agreement, which accords with Department’s view, and in any event a draft [of] such agreement is being prepared for Randers’ consideration upon his return from Oslo in about two weeks.
Re Embtel 9533 Department would prefer to play down current negotiations lest they be construed as mere response to Soviet initiative. However, no objections here to indicating that there have been further negotiations between the two governments looking towards a bilateral agreement and that these negotiations are proceeding favorably. Fear it would be premature to make any specific reference to Norway receiving U–235 at this time.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.5797/3–2856. Confidential. Drafted by Schaetzel and approved and signed for Dulles by Farley.↩
- Telegram 983, April 2, describes the U.S. attitude toward the Soviet offer to Norway. (Ibid., 657.6197/4–256)↩
- In telegram 953, March 28, Ambassador Strong requested permission to mention the negotiations with Randers in his remarks when opening the U.S. exhibit on the peaceful uses of atomic energy in Oslo on April 5. (Ibid., 611.5797/3–2856)↩